The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-02-03

the nrst train which would carry me
towards the city where Horace was
located as a physician. OF course, my
wife protested and was anxious about
me, but go would, and did.
When reached C repaired at
once to the home of my friend, conf
IDENTIFY expecting to see Grape on the
door, but that badge of death being alb
sent felt greatly relieved. 1ss
Twas met in the drawing-room by
the housekeeper, who explained that
the doctor had been called away east
very suddenly; she had heard him
speak of sending telegram followed
by letter to me at Denver. 1t was evil
dent Horace had not received my mes
sages telling him to follow us to Colo
RADIO Springs. s>ss.. b.
II returned at once to Denver, where
I found his letter awaiting me, and as
near as I can remember it read as fol-
lows: - = sE,-.
Dear Old Chum:-I intended to be
with you long ago, but was detained by
severe sickness among my patients,
and have now received news which
obllges me to go east at once. I may
as we'll confess the one secret of my life
which I have kept even from you, my
trusted friend. I loved Eleanor NJ,
the daughter of the old surgeon with
whom I spent several years; before I
was aware of it my heart had gone out
to her beyond recall; then, and not I'M
til then, did I learn she was betrothed
to her cousin; she married him, and
her life has been hell on earth, for
be was dissipated scoundrel. Her own
fortune was soon swallowed up, but
Eleanor fought bravely against adver-
sity and managed to care for herself
and children. I have not seen her for
ten years, but unknown to her have
been able to aid her in various ways.
Now comes news through my agent of
the death of her miserable husband in
an inebriate asylum, and I hasten to
her assistance with hope rising phenix-
like in my heart; bid me God-speed,
my more than brother.
Ever yours,
HORACE
Il laid down the letter and unused.
The secret revealed therein did not
surprise me greatly; had suspicioned
something of the kind long before;
Horace was just the man to keep on
loving a woman all his life, and I was
rejoiced at the prospect of his being
rewarded at last; but how in heavens
name could explain that phenomenon
on the mountain Pit was so real that
1 trembled with superstitious awe
when I recalled it, but instead of hav-
ing been subject of telepathy as
had firmly believed, here was positive
proof that no vision had appeared to
me. The more Tried to argue it out
with myself the more puzzled be-
came, and finally decided it must have
been a hallucination causd by the rari-
fed air acting upon my overtaxed
brain.
II should never have known to the
contrary had not Horace confessed to
me the first time we met afterwards
that he was really on the summit of
Pixies Peak in person that eventful
afternoon. He found out his trip east
could be made as quickly via Denver,
and longing to see me, followed on to
the Springs, and took the next train
to ours up the mountain. guide told
him where I was, and he quietly took
seat beside me on the rocks. Noting
my look of establishment and remem-
bering my scorn of things supernatural
he decided to test me, so, without
speaking a word, he rose slowly and,
pointing upward, disappeared round a
point of rocks as suddenly as he had
come, never dreaming but I would
guess the ruse he had employed against
me when I should receive his letter
awaiting me at Denver
"You may be interested in knowing
that Horace is now residing in Chicago
and married to the woman of his
choice.
"And now, gentlemen, with your per-
mission we will drink bumper to the
decline of superstition and the triumph
of common sense in this good land Of
ours.''
All arose in response and drank to
the toast. then joined in giving three
cheers in honor Of their esteemed host,
Judge No. 10.