The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-09-30

Il
derstand, Beauty? Her folks and
mine Lived beside each other in the
country for years. We grew up there
played together! When / began to
NOPE around home after you-that au-
tumn-why it was natural she and 1
should meet again. We walked and
drove, and played tennis-and rowed
the canoe"
"H-h-huh?"
"Then told her about you"
"You did"
I'D have gone mad if hadn't told
someone. She was sorry. She took
my part-she thought"
II suppose she'd object to your call
ing"
Fudge! She's not that kind of
girl"
IF she knew that you were herei
Ha. hal"
"Pouf! Now don't try to be funny,
Betty"
"Funnyl But for her you'd have
come back, that time"
N0dL
"Oh, you know! But she was one
of those clever, mouse-colored girls
/ know them"
Come back! How could come
back? You returned my letters! Dc
you remember? When / saw your
handwriting across the big white en-
velope / was afraid to open it, think
ing perhaps you had said = GOMEZ!
1 took it out in the boat one evening
and opened it. She was rowing. My
own letter fell out. I felt horribly
cut up. I-I-my God!-I believe
cried! She was like a sister to me.
| Told me it wasn't worth it. 1 was
going to kill myself! She comforted
me-she advised mel"
"Ah, yes-I see"
"She begged me to promise not to
/ write to you again-told me to be a
mani Then waited two weeks more,
| and l told her l would write you
once more and then end it if you
didn't answer. That letter-that let
ter! How could you have"
"What?"
again came your writing on the
envelope, and again I carried it in
my pocket until I sat with her in
the boat. said to her: This ends
it! If she has not answered me,
shall never think of her again-so
help me God! She shall not make
me suffer sol"
And you-you-read it-P
mo; she said to me: Yes, you
will write to her. You will go on
'orever at that girls feet. You have
10 pride. You love her. You will
open it and find your own letter
and-and-weep!' I threw the let
ter across the boat into her lap. You
are mistaken said; you open it
do what you please with it. I'm
through In minute she had torn
it in two and thrown it over the
side. The envelope opened as il
foated on the still water, and then
saw-and she saw-my own writ.
ing-my own letter! That was the
end! That night 1 asked her to be
my wife"
"Ah-h-h! That was it! I am SC
glad!"
''Glad! glad! What do you mean
Glad that you broke my hearth"
She leaned over and put hel
hand on his. Her fingers were
trembling and her face was white.
~ mean. Club, that on the last
page of the letter you said: Give
me just one chance to see you again!
Write me just one word" Comet"
'Yes-I know it by heart!"
well, I wrote it, right under your
signature; just that word-'Come!
Don't you see? wanted you to com,
back-I-I-"
silence fell over them. She still
tapped the card against her rings
Her eyes were full of tears. H,
looked away from her, his gaze crop
ing the wall, his face gray.
He gulped something in his throat
A piano-organ began to play in tn,
street outside-A merciful relief from
the stiffness.
You haven't told me, Club" sh,
said. 'is-is-she pretty?"
"She's blond, you know" he said
never particularly cared 10
blondes. She's-she's a dear girl
though! IL Good-by, Betty!"
"Good-by, Chub!"
"Good-by!"
"Good-by!"
The hall door shut softly as sh,
stood listening. There was a quicl
step over the pavement and tn,
slam of cab door. The strains o
the piano-organ rose magnificent,
into the high closing notes of tn
'Intermezzo."
She looked into the mirror will
eyes that shone triumphantly through
tears.-Town Topics.
The Conductor Scored.
Conductor-Let's see. Did 1 ee
your ticket?
Smart Passenger-Yes, sir; you tool
it up at Montalvo and punched -
out of It,
II beg your pardon, sir; but it ism
customary on local tickets to puncl
he