The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-03-31
ave never forgotten your excellent

voice"
Her smile, the cordial grasp of her
hand, the honest look of her clear
eyes, went through him like a volt of
electricity. In twenty minutes he
was as deeply enmeshed as he was
the night he left for Europe two a
before. That right, while tossing be-
tween the sheets, he cursed himself
until he was black in the face; he
should have remained in Africa; IL
not that he should have married
married il he had to take even a
Stony squaw. Then he would have
been at least free from Miss Mckee.
Now the disease was on him again
with full force, n he could not
leave again, run away from her as
he had done before, for the crash in
his fathers affairs was expected at
any minute. But before the morning
he had made resolutions; he would
steel himself against her; he would
avoid her; he would learn to hate
her. All of which resolves were
broken within fourteen hours, for at 8
o'clock that evening he was violently
ringing the bell at her fathers door.
He proceeded with his case as if he
were a lawyer at the bar. He told her
of his love; why ne had gone away;
his determination not to see her
again; the sufferings he had expert
enced. Il have loved you with a pas
sion that knows no understanding.
For why, l do not understand nor do
l try to understand. We have seen
little of each other and l am, l know,
presumptuous in speaking to you as
| am doing, | have followed you, un-
observed by you, with doting persist
ence; have e~ngrossed opportunities to
meet you; have pursued you as love
has pursued me, which has been on
the wing of all occasions. The result?
Scant courtesy. l have had nothing
from you unless it be experience-a
jewel that / have purchased at al in
finite rate, and that has taught me
to say this:
"Ioye, like a shadow flies when sub
stance love pursues.
Pursuing that that flies, and flying
what pursues.'
you have dwelt S % securely upon
the excellency Of your honored fam
ily's name that 1 have brayed myself
that my soul should now present
itself"
While Herndon spoke Miss Mckee
stood with bowed head. When she
looked at him her eyes were dim
with tears. She struggled with her
self for a moment before replying.
You do me great honor, Mr.. Herndon.
This confession was not unexpected.
BY a woman's intuition l have known
that you love me. But to marry you
is out Of the question. At first l i'm
agined you uncouth; that riches had
made you vulgar; that associations
had caused you to forget the finer
sensibilities, qualities that are essen
tial to a gentleman. But 1 know bet
ter now. l sincerely and honestly
prize your friendship. Ours is a poor
family; yours at the top of fortunes
wheel. l have heard of the many gen.
erous and noble deeds you have done;
l know you worth as a man, and
were our stations equal l should hest.
tate before sending you away. But as
1t is you must go. Please leave me"
When Herndon reached his fathers
residence, he saw that a number OF
men were in the study. When his
father came out his face was blanch'
ed. AS he went upstairs to his room
tears were flowing freely from his
eyes while he muttered to himself
all gone; all gone; my God, my
God!"
The morning newspapers were filled
with news of the crash and long be
fore moo arrived the failure of Hern,
don had been flashed to the world.
In the midst of his duties that after
noon, young Herndon received a note
After reading it he called a messen
ger. Take this" said he, ito Mr.
McKee's residence as fast as you car
get it there" Then he turned to the
telephone and called his mother
See" he said, that all the roses in
the garden are divided between
fathers room and the diningroom to
night by 8 o'clock, and tell him to BIZ
brave. 1 have discovered that &
piece of paper he holds as valueles:
is worth its face value, $4,000. And
by the way" he continued, you will
please have an extra plate on the din
ing table. Your future daughter-in
law will likely dine with us this ever
! ing"