The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-06-25
CHAPTER XIV.
THE LETTER,

>'hi AI]h ave
THE LETTER.
There is magic in the refreshing
sleep of youth calculated to exercise
the megrims. When Sprague, arising
after a good nights rest, found the
world bathed in the sunshine of a
crisp January day, he felt the physical
pleasure Of living which comes from
supple muscles, from the coursing of q
generous blood through the veins,
from the cravings of a healthy appe-
tite.
He remembered the "blue devils" of
the day before, and found it difficult to
account for them. He was in love, GER
tainly. But that in itself did not fur
nish sufficient reason for desponden-
cy. 1t was rumored that the object of
his affections was on the eve Of be-
trothal to another But what depend
ence can be placed upon public ru-
NOR? As matter of fact Miss MUIR
dock wore no rings; in the absence of
the badge of the betrothed woman,
was he not justified in believing her
fancy free?
In that case. there was fair field
and no favor. Why should not he have
as good a chance of winning the prize
as another man? No man, of course,
was worthy of Agnes Murdoch. That
was the fundamental axiom. But in
1nu
the banner Of the worthy. fit did, the
human race would soon become ex-
tinct.
So the young mans thoughts ran on,
while hope once more found a resting
place in his heart.
Miss Murdoch was not to pose again,
but Sprague was eager to work on the
portrait. He was about to step into
the studio after breakfast, when the
.housekeeper announced call from his
lawyer, who wished to consult him
about some important matters. The
entire morning was thus consumed in
necessary but tedious business, and it
was not until after luncheon that the
artist was at last free to set to work.
Uncovering the'portrait, he stood off
to examine it. AS he did so, something
white upon the floor caught his eye.
He stopped to pick 1t up. It was a let
ter in beautifully regular masculine
hand. Mechanically he turned it over
and unfolded it. His eyes carelessly
swept the written page; then in fash
he realized what'it was, and he flung it
violently from him.
Only few words had left their i'm
press upon his retina-a few scattered
words and a signature. But these were
branded deep upon his brain for all
time, in letters Of fire which burned
their way to his very soul. For he had
recognized the letter which had been
delivered by the messenger to Miss
Murdoch the day before, and he had
seen enough to know that it was
couched in words ofpassionate love. In
that instant was quenched the last ray
of hope which had lurked within his
heart. Overwhelmed with sense Of
utter desolation, he sank back upon
divan, and for a long time remained
list In bitter reflections.
But Sprague, in spite OF his diet
tanteism, was man of grit when &C.
casion called for it. Summoning at
length his fortitude and his pride, he
proceeded to carry out what he con-
ceived to be the duty OF a gentleman I'M
der the circumstances.
Picking up the letter again, he placed
It unread in an envelope, into which
he slipped his card, with brief ex-
PLANTATION of the finding of the paper.
Then, after addressing the envelope, he
started out to mail it himself.
Thomas Chatham" he unused, as he
went down the stairs; "Thomas Chat
ham! Why, he is the man who took
such pains to inform me that Miss MUIR
dock was betrothed, or on the point Of
being betrothed-the fashily dressed
young man with red hair who is so
regular an attendant at the Murdocks'
informal receptions, and who never
seems to be invited on state occasions;
an insignificant and conceited puppy,
Poor girl, what pity that she should
throw herself away upon such mdh.
But, If he marries her, he shall make
her happy, or else"
The balance of his thought was not
put into words; but his face became set
in stern lines and his hands clenched in
grim determination.
Sprague, with the letter for Miss
Murdoch in his hand, hurried to the
nearest letter box, raised the lid OF the
drop, inserted the letter in the slot and
then frightened his grasp of 1t and be-
gan to think.
The letter, II mailed, might perhaps
not reach its destination until the fol-
lowing morning. 1t might be of impor-
lance, since 1t had been sent by mes
senger and to the studio instead OF to
Miss Murdock's house. Besides, Miss
Murdoch would probably be worried
when she discovered that she had lost
it. 1t ought therefore to be returned
to her at ones.
The letter, by this time, had been
withdrawn from the slot OF the letter
box.
TO BE CONTINUED.