The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-01-04

Miss Murdoch was not to pose again.
but Sprague was eager to work on the
portrait. He was about to step in to
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 it up. It was let
ter IN beautifully regular masculine
hand. Mechanically he turned it oyer
and unfolded it. His eyes carelessly
swept the written page; then in flash
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 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
sefn enough to know that it was
couched in words of passionate love. In
that instant was quo nched 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
lost in bitter reflections.
But Sprague, in spite of his diet
tanteism. was man of grit when oc-
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 gentleman un-
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 flashily 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 a pity that she should
throw herself away upon such man.
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 it and be-
gan to think.
The letter, if mailed, might perhaps
not reach it's destination until the fol-;
lowing morning. It might be of impor-
lance, since it 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 once.
The letter, by this time, had been
withdrawn from the slot of the letter
box.
Yes, it ought to be returned by mes
senger instead of by mail. By messen-