The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-04-19
! I'm Intercepted Message.
An Incident Tending to Show That APP
pearances Do Sometimes Deceive.
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- NONtnDcT evening" cdEtAtSsty run
ming over the headlines of newspaper.
had my eyes and wandering thoughts
arrested by an article that stirred some
pleasant memories Stepping to the
table near at hand was clipping the
bit of news when a handsome, athletic
young fellow approached from the OPP
posite side, knife and paper in hand
A moment later each noticed that the
other was preserving the same informa
ton. Our eyes met, his brown and
laughing, mine blue and aggressive.
BEG pardon" he began with a smile
that lighted up his dark face and
showed his strong white teeth to adj
vantage, "odd coincidence, isn't it?"
Il don't know" with some constraint.
up to a short time ago my experience
was SO entirely along one pleasant line
that my thoughts never went outside
of it. OF late surprises have come so
rapidly that they cease to surprise. Do
you know her?"
I'm inclined to think it my privilege
10 do the interrogating in this instance,
but you have already satisfied my chief
not acquainted with Margie Morell you
would scarcely be putting that flatter-
ing criticism away in your pocketbook."
You speak famiiiarly of herr" and,
despite my efforts to initiate his easy
manner, there was challenge in my
voice.
Naturally enough" and his smile
was the more aggravating because the
more genial Il have known her for
years. Used to carry her books, haul
her on her little sled, skate with her.
ride with her, advise with her, encour-
age her when success in music seemed
so far off, and all that. Held her on my
knee a thousand times. Why, she
spoiled the creases in this very pair of
trousers I'm wearing"
Now there was an effort at self-con-
troll on my part. "You are scoundrel
and n blackguard," l whispered as |
leaned over the table. "Lf / ever hear
of your repeating such language I'll
find way to punish you without involv-
ing the name of the young lady you
have been coward enough to SANDER"
No change in his smile. but little
more blood in his face as he answered:
"Southerner, should judge?"
"Yes, southerner, and one that tries
to retain the virtues of chivalry with
out its faults. want nothing more to
say to you"
But like you. insist on pursuing
the acquaintance. 1t makes me happy
10 chance upon so stout champion of
Margie"
Mention that name again and IT.
Hold hard. my bold southron," and
this time he laughed outright. "rm
Fred Morell, Margie's brother In
fact, I'm the responsible head of the
family. Have you any special right to
fight the battles of my sister?r
Only the right of gentleman who
holds her in the highest respect. 1 met
Ter abroad with her mother. / was
completing my education in medicine
and Miss Morell was cultivating her
wonderful voice. In the midst of an
acquaintance so delightful to me l re-
ceived news of my fathers sudden
death, and with it the startling infor-
nation that disastrous speculation had
wiped out the large fortune that had
always been led TO expect. 1 hastened
home to Kentucky, spent six months in
settling up the affairs of the estate, and
have just come north TO see what can
make of talents that have never vet
been called upon 10 earn anything"
ut might have been worse. You are
DR.. Tom Curran. I've heard them
speak of you frequently. Why not
take n run out with me and renew the
acquaintance"
1t was temptation, and we are prone
to compromise with temptation. 1
could not go then because was to
spend couple of weeks with my own
relative, Uncle Bruff Curran, who lived
20 miles out of st. Louis. But when
Fred and parted ii had been arranged
that | should take dinner with the Mo-
rel household.
At Uncle Brlff's l was having glori-
Gus time, though he was a bachelor of
GO and cynical as he was rich. j NV
strange experience there began one aft
ernoon when was out shooting over as
fine pair of Irish settlers as ever stood
covey of birds. The sport was fast
and furious and 1 was banging away
without any precautions, for the game
was in a desolate preserve and the
thought of danger to anyone else never
entered my mind. But my confidence
in the fact of my complete isolation
was brought up with a short turn. 1
had just let go with both barrels at a
flying bunch of quail when heard
shout of terror and witnessed a laugh
able sight 1t was a man literally drop-
ping down telegraph pole. his eyes
big with fright and false beard shift
ed to the side of his face. The fine shot
had peppered him harmless,y. but he
thought that he had been fired upon
and was beginning to plead for mercy
when | approached him.
When | went in from my holiday
hunt | found a new guest at the house.
lie was president of the then leading
bank in ST. Louis, in which uncle was a
director and large stakeholder. After
dinner we smoked together and the two
Old men tod ne what had brorrht tha