The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-02-26
TREASURED LETTERS

Travis"
 But must have my letters back. and thnt night as sat up in bed l thought of the way to do it.
 Ben-I mean Mir. Howard; he was Ben to me no longer-llved with Sally Gray's mother.
 Sally was a girl you could trust. She was plain little thing. with something the matter with her spine. but just as good as gold told her everything, and now intended to tell her the facts of the case and get her to let me go Into Bcn's room while he was away and look for my letters.
 knew that Ben-I mean Mir. How ard-was out by o'clock, and at l tapped on the basement window. and Sally. who was making cherry pie, looked up aud saw me and opened the door herself.
 And then and there sat down and told her all about lt and about the let ters.
 And I want you to help me to get them. Sally" said. Let me get Into Mir. Towards room and take what be- longs to me. And you will. won't your
 Its a splendid idea" said Sally. You'll have to walt until lunch Is over and Miss Peck and Mrs. Jones go out Then mother will lie down for nap and Biddy will be getting things ready for dinner and Sarah rubbing the forks and glasses I'll get the pass key. Of course we have one for every room. Now. do stay for lunch. dar. ling"
 And cold shlvers ran up my back when Sally unlocked the door. and we were really in the roon,-his room.
 q suppose he keeps his letters in his desk" said she. "l know he doesn't put them in his trunk. This key un- locks all tine drawers and desks In the house. We keep 1t to lend the lodgers when they lose their key rings. Now. l shall lock you in and come for you In an hour"
 I drew a chair to the desk and sat down and turned the key in the lock.
 There was nothing Inside but some note paper and a little package of foolscap and pens and an inkstand and a plotting pad.
 I shut the desk and looked In the drawer. There was cigar box.
 "oh. dear" thought, where can look nowT And was about to try my key on the drawers when heard the street door open and shut and feet ascend the stairs.
 Then key rattled In the lock. and l did the only possible thing to avoid dis- covery-at least for a moment.
 There was a wardrobe cupboard with curtains before lt. ran toward 1t and stood bolt upright In the corner as Ben -I mean Mir. 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 we'll"
 I'm feeling wrctchedly," said Mir. Howard. "I wouldn't tell another fel- low. but 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, and I 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 to call upon her. and she picked a quarrel with me-that's all. She's a mercenary little wretch. but IT am a fool. Henry. love her still. l shall keep her photograph all my life and her letters to read and kiss. l would not give them up."
 "Stuff and nonsense!" said this Mir. Henry-heartles 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 1t from the world. and you will never speak of 1t 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 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 dle 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.
 "Is 1t her ghostT I heard him nut ter. and I--well. there was. It was not a situation to impart dignity.
 Tt Is only me in the flesh, Ben" l said. "I wish I was a ghost so that could vanish. And now you can boast all your life If you like. And l will say something. Firstly. I did not care about your grandfather's horrld money. Secondly. I-I-only meant to tin llttle--n not to break off-only to frlghten you. Thirdly, I-f-oh, I've found out that you really and truly loved me. Ben. and though 1t Is broken off I-I want to know-I used to love you very much-and I couldn't be go- Ing to marry old Mir. Jayerill. for he Is engaged to my aunt ophelia. and he never wanted me. came to get my letters. but you may keep them. l. I've misunderstood you. and. though we part forever. forgive me. Ben"
 And Sally was my bridesmaid when [ married and Is today my dearest