Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-25
; The POStmiStreSS
} of Circle City.
E@.@@@@:@@@@@.@:
BY Elizabeth Florence Gray.

ID open letter, sat Eleanor Van Dyke
her chin resting In her hand and hel
eyes cleaning with amusement. Her
brow was slightly wrinkled, but the
light in her face indicated that the
problem to be solved was humorous
one. Again her eyes sought the note
"My dear, Mr.. Van Dyke" 1t ran,
''the photograph Of Chief Kadisham
sent In care of the postmaster of Cir
Gle City has been received and delivered
to the Indian. The old fellow was
greatly pleased and grunted his salts
faction when told him 1t came from
a gentleman living In San Francisco.
/ have many snapshots Of the chief,
but none Of them represent him, as
does yours, periodically draped in the
stars and stripes In celebration Of the
Fourth of July. should therefore con-
slider 1t favor II you would send me
q copy Of the photograph to add to my
collection. Yours, truly,
CAROL H. MORGAN"
With the envelope was a card bear
ing the words, Miss Morgan, Circle
City, Alaska" Evidently the postmas-
der of this northern town was wom-
an. and she had inclosed ten cents In
,Dayment for the picture, Eleanor
gazed at the coin whimsically, and
wondered whether 1t would be better
% send 1t back or have 1t framed. She
rather inclined toward the latter. for
money which she had herself earned
would be a curiosity to show her
friends. As she turned the coin over
Il seemed to convey some thought, for
she dropped 1t with an amused laugh.
and exchanged the dainty monogram
Uaper for plain sheet Of larger d.
menslons, upon which she wrote in q
bold. angular hand:
my Dear Miss Morgan:
Your letter at hand. Enclosed you
will find the coveted photograph Of
the old chief and several pictures Of
the Klondike which l hope may be of !
interest to you. trust you will par |
don me, however, II return this coin. |
Cor could not think Of accepting
money from q lady, especially one
whose handwriting has taken so great |
q hold upon my fancy. Some claim
that the soul Ii revealed In the face,
others in the voice, but It seems to
me that yours has crept out through
your finger tips. May not see more
uf TT"
Hello. Sis, what are you doIngf"
asked youthful voice from the door,
Il am playing the part of q man,
An q comedy" replied the girl, land
=" A merry laugh broke into her
sentence.
Nov. I'd advise you"
That's Just like you, Harold, Al
rays ready to give advice. Perhaps
n you read these, your opinion will
have more weight" She handed her
brother the two letters.
well. this Is amusing" he said, as
be read the first note. What do you
suppose made her think you were q
MANI Your handwritlngf"
No, don't believe It was my hand
writing. suppose few women visit
Circle City, and besides. | enclosed the ,
photograph in a business envelope Of
Iather's. because mine were all too
mall"
"A few more letters such as this one ,
viii open her eyes," replied the girls ,
'rother. glancing over the reply she |
had written. "I'll bet a box Of candy
o pair Of gloves that the postmistress
'lther doesn't answer your letter at all !
n discovers you're a girl before the q
Yukon freezes" !
Long before an answer could posi- 7
lly be received. Eleanor began to 1
gatch for the reply. She wondered II
be postmistress would be offended by q
Ter bald declaration, or II any wor,l 4
r phrase had betrayed her sex. At a
Hst the letter arrived. and her heart q
ave a glad bound when she saw that b
was addressed 10 Mr. K B. Van Il
)yke. b
you see, am taking II for granted v
hat you are a man" Il began. because Il
did not contradict the assumption in
y LIST letter. but what a Joke Il would a
9 4 you shouid prove to Be a spinstsI q