The progress., 1904-03-26

she had ever doubted that her correi
pondent was man. "You must hay
laughed heartily over my mistake" sh
continued, "but your knowledge Of mir
ing and your ownership in Dawso
claim have convinced me that you al
La broad-shouldered, bronze-face
MINER"
Eleanor showed this letter with grea
pride to her brother, and informed hir
that she preferred chocolate cream
while he reminded her that the Yuko
was not yet frozen.
Frequent letters passed between tn
San Francisco girl and the postmis
tress of Circle City during the succeed
ing months. At times Eleanor's con
science gave uncomfortable twingei
for her enjoyment in this practical jok
had gradually been merged in keel
interest in this fearless frontier woman
IF it weren't for losing the wager,
she confessed to her brother on thei
way to dinner three months after tn
sending of the first letter, Il woul,
write to her that l am only a mer
slip of girl and not the six-foote
she imagines me. The postmistress i
coming out this winter, and"
my gloves are rather shabby" re
marked the man, "but / guess they'll
last until"
''Oh, don't count on my giving up a
this eleventh hour" interrupted his sis
ter, land there is no chance of the post
mistress discovering my identity, fol
she is convinced that l am a young
Hercules, calls me her big Califor
man. and fear she is becoming very
fond Of me, Harold"
"Talle care" warned her brother, "ol
you will have a breech OF. promise suit
against you."
At the dinner table Eleanor found
herself seated beside her hostess
nephew, sturdy Alaskan miner, who
had recently returned from the Klon-
dixie. In the hurried introduction she
had not understood his name. OF
course he should have devoted him
self to the young woman on his right
but the light in Eleanor's eyes as she
spoke of the beauty of hts fosterland
together with her sweetness, held him,
and the girl herself found it difficult
to turn her attention from this face,
In which were welded physical courage
and intellectual ability. Besides she
had discovered that the young man
had spent much time at Circle City,
and thought he might know the post
mistress. Here was her opportunity
to discover more about her delightful
Salad had been served
before the girl managed to turn the
to the subject. The man
glanced up quickly. What do you
know about the postmistress Of Circle
City?" he asked, watching her mar
rowly.
"Oh, know great deal about her.
AT least-I mean-I-I have never met
her, but" Eleanor was becoming
hopelessly entangled in the meshes of
her own deception. 81 have seen some
etters that she has written to an ac-
luaintance of mine," she declared, des-
"and l think she is the most
woman l have ever heard
,f. She has endured the perils and
of that northern life with the
courage Of a man, and her description
If the trip over the Chilcoot pass and
through the White Horse rapids fills
'ne with admiration for her bravery"
"You are bold champion to espouse
he cause of one whom you have never
net" declared the man.
But know her very well, through
he letters she has written toto my
riend. Her moral courage is equal to
Ter physical. Not an atom of bitter
less or discomfort has entered into her
description of the months she has spent
IN her mining claim, and yet I can
cad between the lines that it was a
lesolate life. | hope some day l shall
meet this woman, and yet am almost
.fraid to, because-I can't explain
lut@"
"You may well pity any one obliged
o live on an Alaskan claim" said the
nan. at is an isolated life, and the
My glimpse one has of the outside
world is through letters. These are
cad and reread until they are worn
n shreds."
Eleanor's practical joke assumed
ifferent appearance. She had crept
nto this woman's life in the dress of
masquerader. How would the post
Mistress feel when she discovered she
ad been duped? To be sure, the in
crest expressed had been genuine,
ut the belief that the letters were
'ritten by man must have magnified
IS importance.
There was dull pain in her heart |
nd her eyes were moist as she ex-
laimed:
do letters really mean so much in |
he far north? didn't know. or I |
'Ouldn't have--I admire the woman
D much, you know. If she were
ian 1 believe should say was in
I'VE with her, and
"What are you people so busily talk
lg about? Won't you give the rest of |
5 the benefit of your Alaskan expert
nce?" exclaimed one of the party,
idressing the Klondiker.
How much longer will the Yukon
yer be OPEN" interrupted Harold Van
yke.
winter has surprised the Alaskans
Y appearing month ahead of the
sua1 time," was the reply. THE Yu-
on has been frozen for fortnight"
Eleanor shot triumphant glance at
sr brother.
"Tell us about your trip through
Ie White Horse rapids, Mr.. Morgan"
i'd the girl opposite. at must Have
zen terrible experience
well, it is not a ride one would
re to take more than once in a life
me-" acknowledged the man. And
t, it's very peril gives it a charm.
made the run in the fall of '9S with
70 companions. As I knew nothing
,out managing a boat, l suggested
at | walk along the shore and meet
e scow further down the river, but
rarnnacfffnr, In |