The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-09

BY pAGNEY MAJOR.

SHINING Drllllantly through the open
window into charmingly appointed
dining-room one bright June morning.
Breakfast was laid for three. At the
head of the table sat Miss Pris-
ella Payne, a sweet, gray haired
woman, with what is termed a
good" face, though lined with
care and trouble. Yes; the bowl
Of happiness was low when her share
was ladled out There was a gentle
look of resignation in her face, which
was the reflection of brave heart.
She frightened up as she heard a
quick light footstep. and her niece,
Jessie Burton, sweetly pretty girl
of about IS summers, entered the
room.
Woodworking, auntiel Is Harry
DOWN." she asked, kissing her guard
ian.
"No, dear; but he soon win be, I'm
sure. He can only have one twenty
first birthday"
Many letters for him?"
"a few; one is from Australia"
"Auntie," said the girl, suddenly,
with a tinge Of lovely color flaming
her cheeks, "I-I-have something to
tell you"
y do believe can guess what it is,
Jessie"
20, auntie, am sure you haven't a
notion"
MY dear, your face convinces me
that my conclusion is correct Come
here and let your old aunt whisper it:
Harry has proposed and you have ac-
cepted him"
How did you know" calculated
Jessie. eyes. he proposed last night.
Aren't you going to congratulate me ?"
Eyes. yes, darling. May you be
very, very happy" and she kissed her
niece lovingly. "Are you quite sure,
Jessie, that you love him, and that
there is nothing that would prevent
you from marrying?"
Jessie replied by look that indi-
Gated such a question was entirely un-
necessary.
"You know, dear, I was in love once,
and some one was fond of me, but
but--things went wrong. Some day
you shall hear the story, dear, then
you will understand how it is l am
so anxious about you. All, here is
Harryi"
At that moment handsome young
fellow entered the room. Jessie ran
and kissed him, and led him to her
aunt who was smiling through tears
of happiness and sorrow-sorrow be-
cause she foresaw a bitter parting with
Jessie
After oft-repeated congratulations
and many happy returns, Harry was
permitted to open his letters. The
gist Of the one from Australia ran as
follows:
MY Dear Son: trust you Will receive
this on the day you attain your majority.
Now that you have arrived at an age of dis
cretlon, wish you TO know as much OF my
history as Is necessary. Pray. my
Gear son. do not think hardly OF me-
All l have done have done for the best.
/ have instructed that good man.
Rev. William Nayand your guardian and
counselor all these years, to tell vou as
much as he thinks ut. He viii see
the lawyers for you. After to-day Won viii
be able 10 draw $3.50 a year This
viii continue until my death. when all
nave goes 70 you. Wishing you all
happiness my dear boy Your most al
feetionate FATHER"
Harry read this through twice, amid
a strange feeling of uneasiness and
emotion. It was the first letter he had
ever received from his father. He
sat down, looking rather pale, crush
ing the letter in his hand. Was his
three months of perfect happiness at
this house to be married by some hor-
rible revelation? He trusted not.
Somehow or other he thought of
James Barton, his rival.
Miss Payne had taken great fancy
70 Harry when they first met, two
years ago. and he had latterly been
staying with her and Jessie, with the
inevitable result that he fell head over
ears IN love with her pretty face.
MY guardian, Rev. William Nav
land, will be calling to see me to-day.
Miss Payne" he said at length, "about
some business matters. And. Jessie"
he broke off, 81 should like TO see
you in the garden after breakfast"
The meal having concluded, with
painful evidence that things had gone
"f'F-nAf mai eiiOAic0 INTO the gar
den with her.
Darling, what is IT? What is the
matter?" she asked, gently nesting
up TO him. Something has gone
wrong, and who should share your
trouble with you but II"
The doubts and perplexities which
entangied his mind for a moment
seemed TO overwhelm him, then, with
out word, he took the girl in his
strong arms and held her closely TO
him.
Jessie" he began falteringly at
last. "if-if-tbere should be anything
that might come between our mar
rage, don't think too hardly Of me.
II there be a secret in my family, and
have kept it from you, believe me
when | say that it was through no
fault Of mine. had no intention TO
deceive"
20, Harryl Harry" sobbed Jessie.
now thoroughly alarmed. II don't
know what you mean, indeed / don't"
she concluded, with food Of tears. ana