Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-08-01

Miss Harmon rose, went to her
desk, took from IL letter which
she brought to her friend. "You
read this" she said.
A sharp exclamation OF surprise
broke from Medora at sight OF the
chirography. She read sie letter
through. II was a brief note-nnd
brutal one. The writer had been
mistaken. He had fancied his affec'
tion for Miss Harmon was one that
would prove deep and permanent
Within the last few weeks he had
met ut The Cascades a girl fairer--
II possible-younger, II he might bs
permitted to speak so frankly-and
wealthier-not that wealth count, /
He herewith returned Miss Harmon's
letters. and hoped they might
be friends in the future. "The Cas-
cadesl That datel" cried Medora
1T is from Thomas Elder-and he
he meant me! Oh. Nell-why didn'i
you tell me before?"
"It might seem as though / wer,
revengefuli"
I'm revengeful nowl Well, W,
must think Dub way to make him
break his engagement with mel
know l can't use this letter as a rea
son. would never drag you into
a position Of such humiliation. i
have III Listenl"
II was after midnight when Mis-,
Harmon's hair had been properly
brushed--and Medora's, too, by IT,,
way. Keturah shook her head at tn,
cracking notes extended. "You may
take the money her mistress said
You are doing me u favor as wei
as Miss Verne"
The next day Thomas Elder. sittii.e
down to his desk. trim. well-clad
shrewd-faced. alert, pounced on on,
particular envelope out OF the pill,
awaiting hisinspection. Alarge squar,
envelope OF palest azure. with a sil
yer seal, and the vagrant odor o.
mignonette clin9ing TO II.
From Medoral" murmursl Mr.
Elder. placidly. From my Medoral
He was charmed at the contents
To call at fve--to meet her mother
who had that day arrived from New
York; And was anxious to mee'
himl Ah-cer;ainlyl II was Medor,
herself-Medora exquisite in n stree
gown OF crimson cloth and blaci
marten-who met him In the littl,
reeeption-room.
mol can't go with you'll Yo,
must meet mamma alone!" He fount
her bashfulncss enhancing. ""She II
in the library. She is expecting you
Go right I'M"
The suitor boldly did as bldden. In
the waning light OF the winter da,
the room was shadowy. A gauat
red-visaged creature in gown oi
parrot-green confronted him. A
mighty hand crushed his. A pair OF
sharp gray eyes pierced his soul.
Glad TO meet you. Thomas Elde-l
Hope you'll make good son-ln-lawl
suppose Medora has told you I'm
coming to live with your That,
right. You aren't afraid of panther
cats. are your I've got tame one
that will eat out OF your hand, Be
sure you get good southern room
In the house for my birds. Three
I've three OF them. They never stop
singing II they get light enough, I've
been gsdding around the world so
much I've gathered some live curl
osities-bargains. l call them. II was
such q comfort TO me to know Me-
dora was going to get married, 30
I'd have place TO keep my pets.
Not" critically, "that think she
did the best she could have done
with her looksl I'll give you a good
diet OF vegetables kind OF diet
for you. I'm vegetarian, you know.
No meat in my housel Medora says
she told you lost my money In that
wheat failure. Didn't tell you all
the fortune she had was swallowed
up In that Bank OF Gllead crash
No-didn't tell you thNt2 I'm sur.
prisedl Well. It don't make any dif-
ference TO you, son-in-lAwl Day not
named yet2 Oh. wen have 20 hurry
thingsl"
Escape Thomas Elders finally ei.
fected, How he never knew. So ex.
cited was he that some sound In an
adjoining room seemed to resolve it,
self i1to an irrepressihle ripple OF
laughter. That night Keturah. in q
parrot-green gown, laughed as hear
tily as her mistress. when between
gasps OF merriment, Medora read
aloud a letter from her admirer. In
which he deplored the fact that a
suddenly.developed case OF cardiac
collapse had convinced him that he
could not ask any woman 90 share
the life OF hopeless invalid.
whats the joke, girls9" cried
Maurice Harmon. Struggling OF his
overeoat as he came into the parlor;
a fine, manly young fellow. with
steady eyes and strong, beautiful
mouth. "Jo,el Isn't Keturah In
stylel"
Keturah, still shaking with mirth
took his coat aud went out. Nell
stood up and kissed him.
''Its ell right. old boy" she said.
"Medora will tell you about H." She
laughed again at the thought OF FL.
dred's dismay when he should meet
the real mother Of Medora-a sweet.
gracious, cultured gentlewoman.
"Alrs fair, you know, in love and
war;"
This was bothl" cried Medora.
Nell Was stlll laughing when she
went out. and softly closed the door.
As lHaaished Poster,
An artist relates that one day he was
standing in front Of a huge poster
which represented a well.known actor
A,. ~. Oh q H.. 4