The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-04-03
TREASURED LETTERS

"I will not glvc you back your letters, Miss Travis. suppose the fact that my grandfather did not leave me his property has q good deal to do with things being as they are. Goodby. Mss Travis"
 But l must have my letters back. and that night os sat up in bed l thought Of thc way to do lt.
 Esn-I mean Mir. Howard; he was Ben Co me no longer-lived with Sally Gray's mother
 Sally was a gil you could trust She was a plain little thing. with something Gle natter with her spine. but just as good as gold. told her everythins aud now intended to tell her the facts ur the ease and get her to let me go Into Rcn's room while he was away aud lock for my letters.
 knew that Ben-I mean Mr. How ard was out by s o'clock. and 0t 9 l tapped on the basement window. and Sally. who was making a cherry pic. looked vp and saw me and opened the door herself.
 And then and there sat down and told Ter all about it and about thc let t,rS.
 And | want you 10 help me Co get 'hcm. sally" said. Let me get Into Ar Towards room and take what be longs Co me. And you will, won't youf
 Its a splendid idea" said Sally. "Youn have to wait until lunch is over nnd Mss Peek and Mrs. Jones go out. Then mother will lle down for nap and Blddy will bc getting things ready for dinner and Sarah rubbing the forks and glasses. m get the pass key. or course We have one for every room. Now. do stay for lunch, dar' ling"
 And cold shivers ran up my back when Sally unlocked the door, and we were really in the room-his room.
 q suppose he keeps his letters in his desk" said she. q know he doesn't put them In his trunk. This key un- locks all the drawers and desks in the house. We keep it to lend the lodgers when they lose their key rings. Now. shall lock you in and come for you In an hour"
 drew chair to the desk and sat down and turned the key fin the lock.
 There was nothing Inside but some note paper and little package of foolscap and pens and an inkstand and q plotting pad.
 | shut the desk and looked in the drawer There was cigar box.
 "Oh. dear" thought, where can l look now?" And was about to try my key on the drawers when heard the street door open and shut and feet ascend the stairs.
 Then 9 key rattled in the lock, and l dld the only possible thing 10 avoid dis covery-at least for q moment.
 There was a wardrobe cupboard with curtains before it. l ran toward it and stood bolt upright In the corner as Ben --I mean Mir. IIoward-cntercd. follow ed by another man.
 They shut the door and sat down. They lighted their pipes.
 Ben" said the strange person. "you are not looking we'll"
 "I'm feeling wrctchedly." said Mir Howard. "l wouldn't tell another fcl. low. but l believe my heart Is broken There. don't laugh. You see that pho tograph on the mantclplece? We were engaged to each other" said Ben. and [ loved her better than my life, and l thought she was very fond of me. But you know my grandfather cut me out of his will, and then a rich fellow be gan Co call upon her. and she picked a quarrel with me-thats all She's a mercenary little wretch. but l--l am n fool. Henry. l love her still. l shall keep her photograph all my life and her letters to read and kiss. would not give them up."
 stun and nonsense!" said this Mr Henry heartless brute, You'll find a better girl in no time"
 "There Is but one woman in the world for me" said Ben. There, now, I'm done. You know my trouble. I'll hide it from the world. and you will never speak of It to any one, know
 You'll not have any trouble in six months" said the horrible Mir. Henry. Now you'll come up and spend your holiday with me, won't your I'll just step out and buy those things for my wife. and you pack up what you need