Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-05-12

nel sadly foolish query, she was
sensible at last-very sensible Che
nao chosen the substance instead Of tho
shadow. "a 'ne
Anu now, as we said, it was night.
ana wetter one than the other-later
TO- Tor Mr.. Fairjohn had closed the
store' and was compromising himseH
what ne called 'nightcap,' of warm
water, lemons and sugar, and was SUM-
ping 1t by the stove, when there came
upon his door a feeble knock. and
Wnen, being repeated, he heard it.
mere staggered out of the rain a drip
ping ngure-that of Jessie Lester. the
pride who was to be on the morrow.
She was trembling with cold, and as
ne led her to the fire she burst into
flood Of tears.
I'm frightened" sha said. Some
one followed me all the way. I heard
Them
You've no business to be out alone
at night" said old Fairjohn, bluntly.
"And what's the matter?"
She looked up at him piteously.
/ thought there would be letter.
said she. II dreamt there was one.
thought Charlie came to me and said:
Go to the Office once more. I have
written, have written And 1 thought
l saw a letter with red SEAL"
$50 did t. muttered old Fairjohn to
himself.
He went to the box where the let
tiers were kept, and brought them to
her in his hand.
Look for yourself" he said. "And
now, Mrs. Lester, I'm an old man.
Take my advice. Remember what your
duty will be after tomorrow. Remem-
Der not to go crazy Ten years have
gone since your husband left this place.
If he's alive he's a rascal, and you are
free of him by law; but we all know
that every man on board the Sphynx
was drowned. So be good wife to
Job Roper and forget this folly. I'll
take you home again this time. Don't
come again."
81 seemed to know it had a red
SEAL"
And as she spoke, old Fairjohn,
glancing at the door, saw dark shad-
ow there; saw 1t grow darker, saw
it enter, and, starting up on his de-
Tense, if need was, recognized JOB
Roper
He was verv pale. and he took no
notice of Fairjohn, but, crossing the
CT Oh ao4a
"You love that man best, even now,
he said. you'd rather have found a
letter from him than not, though to-
morrow is our wedding day.
She looked up into his face with q
piteous glance.
II never lied to you, job" said she.
"You know that"
He grew whittier still.
II told you man would lose his
soul for such love as NINE" said he.
did you think those were idle words?"
Then he plunged his hand into his
bosom and the next instant a letter,
with a red seal, lay in Jessie's lap.
GIVE made you happy, and now I'll
co." he said. "Fairjohn, I stole that
letter a month ago off the counter
yonder. I knew who wrote it at a
glance" and then the door changed be-
hind him and he was gone.
But Jessie had torn open the letter
and never looked after him.
And these we're the words she read,
old Fairjohn read over her shoulder:
Aboard the Silver Star.
Jessie, darling: I uon't know what
makes me believe that I shall find you
mine still, after all these years; but
something does.
Five of us were cast on desert
island when the Sphynx went down.
The two yet alive were taken OIL
yesterday in skins with our boards to
our knees. We must go to England
first-then home. Jessie, Jessie, if
do not find you as I left you shall
go mad. Your husband.
CHARLES LESTER"
And so Jessie's letter came at last,
And as John Fairjohn looked into her
face he saw how angels look in Para
disc.
And Job. Job was found drowned
in the Kill next morning. Jessie never
knew it. perhaps, for she and her boy
were on their way to New York to
meet the Silver Star when it made
port.