Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-11-25
THE STOLEN LETTER.

more marrying men IN lnula ana !
fewer maidens. Besides Lucy was
really sweet enough and pretty |
enough and adorable enough to mon |
opolize the attentions of any number |
or these two SWANS one was an elder |
ly swain-that is if the collector of a
district on two thousand and some |
odd hundreds OF rupees month and |
fund" OF the most liberal nature
can properly be termed swain at all |
which is doubtful. He was u good
fellow. was John McAllister. but at
least 20 years older than Lucy. and.
which was more TO the po.nt very
prim and stiff and solemn and serious
and in fact destitute o not only APP
pearance. but the thoughts and ways
OF youth.
And so when Colonel Watson cited
instances OF the happy marriages he
had seen 3eiween elderly gentlemen
and youthful lassies--he used oc.
casionally to draw on his Imagination
little-poor Lucy would p.teously
reply:
Yes papa but it isn't his age
that's nothing nothing oh. Lucy
Lucy but he's so old in his ideas
and habits he has nothing in common
with II girl"
And then there would be little
| breakdown in the voice, and tear
would fall on the coonels hand. and
he would turn away to smoke
cheroot and make the best OF it. for
he did not want to force his child into
II distasteful marriage. he was too
fond of her for that; but with six sons
ranging from ID to s. that his one
laughter should marry wel-to do
man was distinctly agreeable
Pens ions were good in those days. but
even EllOO a year seemed small with
such II troop of boys to educate and
put into the world. And then there
was trille OF debt McAllister would
but what was the use of talking about
1t If it would mako little Lucy un.
happy? 1t Is almost superfluous to
say that the other adorer whom Lucy
id like. was hopeless ineligible.
George Fairleigh was a subaltern in
her fathers regiment OF about five
years service. A fine young fellow
good at sports. but with absolutely no
prospects. There was no chance of
the adjutancy falling vacant for q
long time and there was no depart
mental openings so far at least as he
was concerned.
In small. up country station these
two had many opportunities of meet
ing. and TO do them Justice they took
advantage of all they could get. But
Lucy was not without mixture of
sound, common sense, and she would
not pledge herself to George until he
could snow some reasonable ground
for believing that his position would
soon Justify marriage; she would not
listen 10 the idea of an indefinite ar
rangcmcut.
Matters were thus at deadlo k
ana there seemed 10 be no hope of Il
solution. Months passed b.. weary
months 10 all concerned Then all
OF sudden came change. The
new governor general arrived in the
country, and it so happened that in
former years he had known George:
FL her rather intimately. The natura
result followed. For bow who hat
asscd nothing but the higher stan.
dard in Hindustani it was not pos
-iblc to do much at once but still h,
might be tried. SO down came the
offer of n semi-political appointment,
in II native state for six months tn,
continuance of which was to depend
upon Ceorge's progress and ability.
There was IL fearful parting.
'Now mind. you are not TO writ,
to me unless | wiite to You first
Papa would he very angry if yo,
~ tn prita 10
course. ] won't have anything done il
n roundab bout way. When | write Il
YOU if do write at ALL sir then yor
may answer "
SO half crying half laughing Luc
dismissed him. and both the colone
and McAllisier said good by with
sigh of relief. The sagacious Luc
had a reason for the condition sh
imposed. Over and above the diff
= culties OF correspondence 10 whic
] her father would object she wanted I
7 test her lover Married ladies ofte
prone 10 dismal advice had sniffingl
told her OF the Inconsistency OF man
Il and she had also read about it
moves and poems so she though
that an experiment should be made
IF we begin to write 10 each otf
err she argued to herself. he won
have chance OF forgetting me; bt
ii there is no communication betwee
us for some time. then that will sho
Il whether his u ection is sincere"
& Left alone in the field good. hone.
{ McAllister could make the running ,
e. his own pace, but somehow lie nevt
K seemed TO get any nearer the winnin
post.
But the three months never passet
for one fine day the Colonel with
/ white face and broken bones. W,
, brought back in a dhooly from tn
parade ground (his horse had fallen
and though the bones were soc
monded. complications set in and Il
! doctors ordered him home -. intern
in urics ne or get right in this plac
voyage will give him strength ct
Then the poor man told Lucy th
she really had better mako up h,
4 mind; that he could i'll afford the g!
~ perse OF taking her TO England. ar
reminded her that she did not get c
/. too easily with her stepmother, WI
: was looking after the boys. Ar
Lucy did make up her mind. 81
wrote straight 10 George that vel
afternoon. telling him everything.
Il hope 1T isn't very unmaidenl
81 dear. but this is no time to star
. upon formalities. II you still ca