The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-02-21
TREASURED LETTERS

~s AN AbSS &AA"S
my grandfather did not leave me his
property has a good deal to do with
things being as they are. Goodby, Miss
Travis"
But I must have my letters back, and
that night as l sat up in bed I thought
Of the way to do it.
Benz mean Mr.. Howard; he was
Ben to me no l~onger-lived with Sally
Gray's mother.
Sally vas a girl you could trust. She
was a plain little thing, with something
the matter with her spine, but just as
good as gold. I told her everything,
and now I intended to tell her the facts
Of the case and get her to let me 60
into Ben's room while he was away
and look for my letters.
I knew that Benz Mr.. How.
ard-was out by 8 o'clock, and at 8 l
tapped on the basement window, and
Sally, who was making a cherry pie,
looked up and saw me and opened the
door herself.
And then and there I sat down and
told her all about it and about the let
tiers.
"And I want you to help me to get
them, Sally" l said. LET me get into
MI. Towards room and take what be
longs to me. And you will, won't your"
"It's a splendid idea," said Sally.
"Youll have to wait until lunch is over
and Miss Peck and Mrs. Jones go out.
Then mother will lie down for q nap
and Biddy will be getting things ready
for dinner and Sarah rubbing the
forks and glasses. III get the pass
key. OF course we have n 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.
II suppose he keeps his letters in his
DESK" said she. II 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 dodgers
when they lose their key rings. Now, I
shall lock you in and come for You In
an hour"
I drew a chair to the desk and sat
OOWA u4lO (uAuCu SuO ACy III k00 AVCAs
There was nothing inside but some
note paper and a little package Of
foolscap and pens and an inkstand and
. blotting pad.
I shut the desk and looked In the
drawer. There was a cigar box.
"Oh, DEAR" I thought, where car I
look now?" And I was about to try my
key on the drawers when I heard the
street door open and shut and feet
ascend the stairs.
Then a key ratified in the lock. and I
did the only possible thing to avoid dis
c~overy-at least for q moment.
There was a wardrobe cupboard with
curtains before 1t. I al toward it and
stood bolt upright in the corner as Ben
II e MI. Howard-entered, 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 WELL"
"I'm feeling wretchedly," said Mr..
Howard. Il wouldn't tell another fel-
low, but l believe my heart is broken.
There, don't laugh. You see that pho
tograph on the mantelpiece? We were
engaged to each other" said Ben, land
I loved her better than my life, and I
thought she was very fond of me. But
you know my grandfather cut me ogt
Of his will, and then a rich fellow be-
gan to call upon her, and she picked a
quarrel with me-that's all. She's a
mercenary little wretch. but II am a
fool, Henry. I love her still. I shall
keep her photograph all my life and
her letters to read and kiss. I would
not give them up"
"Stuff 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, l know"
You'll not have any trouble in six
months" said the horrible Mr.. Henry.
snow you'll come up and spend your
holiday with me, won't you? I'll just
step out and buy those things for my
wife. and you pack up what you need
and meet me at the station"
Then Henry walked away, and Ben
yes. Ben, my poor Ben-took a bun
die of letters from his bosom and kiss
! ed them and took down my photograph
and kissed that, and then, having pull
ed a bag from the corner, he walked
| straight to the wardrobe and drew
the curtain back.
The next moment he was staring at
me and I at him.
as it her ghost?" I heard him NUT
ter, and well, there I was. 1t was
not a situation to impart dignity.
"It is only me in the flesh, Ben" l
said. 81 wish l was a ghost sc that
I could vanish. And now you can
boast all your life IL you like. And
will say something. Firstly, l did not
care about your grandfather's horrid
money. Secondly, I-I-only meant to
tin a little-not to break of-only to
brighten you. Thirdly, Lob, I've
| found out that you really and truly