Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-06-19

! "uCA d1OuC, constantly COOA 10 HUH
his pocket and glanced at it.
One day, while doing so, Mr.. Wade
suddenly entered the room. Hastily
slipping it under pile of bills, Weav-
er looked up.
"Mr. Weaver" his employer said,
''let me come to your desk. want
to glance over Franks papers. I am
afraid the poor boy himself will never
do that again. Sad, isn't it?" And
Mr.. Wards kindly voice grew husky.
us 1t so bad as that, sir?" Weaver
murmured, while deathly faintness
seized him.
$50 bad as that, I fear" Mr.. Wade
answered, mechanically taking up a
pile of papers and running over them.
Suddenly he exclaimed:
"What's this?-a letter written by
Frank himself and never sent?'
The pity that moment ago had
filled Weaver vanished, and fierce
desire to escape detection had taken
it's place.
"Why, yes" he said; II remember
Frank intended to invite Miss Wiley
to the opera for Thursday, but
changed his mind; and, suppose, did
not send the letter. However, I am
going down to inquire after him at
noon, and if you will give me the let
ter, I'll leave it with his mother"
Eyes, yes" assented Mr.. Wade;
"that's a good idea"
But he still held it in his hand,
while Weaver could hardly restrain
his desire to snatch it away.
IF I get the cursed thing in my
own hand once" he thought, ut will
never be seen again"
Just then Jimmy entered. Catch
ing sight of the letter in Mr.. Wade's
hand, he exclaimed:
'Why, Mr.. Weaver. you didn't mail
that letter that day"
Weaver turned pale.
"You don't know what you are talk
ing about" he said, as Mr.. Wade
glanced up, inquiringly.
"Yes, I do,' Jimmy persisted;
:'that's the letter Mr.. Hepburn gave
me to mail the day before he got
sick. Don't you remember his say
ing that little cross was secret
sign?"
why didn't you mail it, Jimmy?"
Mr.. Wade interrupted, sternly.
"Why, sir, on my way to the office
Mr.. Weaver took it from me, and said
he'd mail it himself
Jimmy had taken the letter from
~ No nso or1 f,vrninr If
over, exclaimed:
"It's opened now!"
There was no need to question
Weaver; the look of bitter hatred he
turned on Jimmy told his guilt more
eloquently than any words.
"Mr. Weaver, I am sorry for this"
Mr.. Wade said, simply, and left the
room.
His heart was very tende-: towards
the poor boy he had seen that morn
ing tossing restlessly from side to
side, and still trying to murmur:
S'Bertha."
1.-THE name is the same" he COM
mented. "I'll take her the note and
explain it's delay. There may be
connection between this and his brain
fever. God grant there is"
Hurriedly calling a cab, he drove to
the address on the envelope, and was
soon greeted by young lady, who
responded to his inquiry for miss
Bertha Wiley"
SIS this your letter." he asked, alb
ruptly.
She looked at him rather haughtily
an instant, then her whole air
changed to one of intense eagerness
as she caught sight of the address.
eyes," she breathed, and in mo-
ment had taken the note and de-
voured it's contents.
"Where did you get t." she asked,
looking up, the pretty color that
tinged her cheeks as she read dying
out, and her little air of hauteur re.
turning, though her eyes still danced,
and there was a glad ring in her
sweet voice.
Ignoring her question, Mr.. Wade
said, sharply:
do you know it's writer is dying?"
"Dying! Frank! oh, my darling!"
There was no need to ask if this
was the Bertha. Only one woman can
utter a mans name in that tone. The
light and the color died out of her
face in an instant, and hard,
strained look came in their place,
more pitiful than any tears. She put
her hand on her heart moment,
and then said, simply:
stake me to him, please"
"Get your hat" Mr.. Wade answered.
But she only looked at him again
and whispered: ''Take me to him"
Without a word more, he led her
to the still waiting cab.
On reaching the house, Mr.. Wade
left her in he hall and hurried up
stairs. A few, swift words explained
to the doctor who was below, and he
fastened down.
''You must be very quiet he said,
gently, though the charge seemed un-
necessary in greeting the almost
stony figure that awaited him. "Sleep
must come within an hour, or death
or hopeless insanity will result; but
go to him, look and speak quietly and
naturally, and if it is you he is dying
for "a shudder ran through the girD.
we may save him yet"
The doctor led the way to the sick
room, opened the door, and stood
aside as she entered. Bertha swayed
for an instant as she caught sight Of
the pitiful, wasted form extended be-
fore her; but love triumphed, and,
swiftly advancing to the bedside, she
bent above the wistful eyes and said,
clearly and softly: 7 =.