The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1905-01-05

the romance. and had looked upon Bob
as an impressionable youngster. But
II he had cherished her letters and
keepsakes. then he must have loved
her. Adelaide was engaged to old Mr..
Thurston now-Copper Thurston. the
boys called him. Perhaps, after all.
Bob had been jealous OF the copper
made millions. and had married her In
a Mt OF pique.
She turned from the window with
sudden determination. IL lacked half
an hour OF dinner time. A lonely din
ner for a bride. she thought as she !
went upstairs. her first New Years
eve. Perhaps by the time the mid
night bells rang out she might be max
ing few strange resolutions for the
coming year.
II was dark on the garnet stairs. She
stopped at the door OF Bob's dressing
room and took candlestick from the
mantel. 1t was a wedding gift-a Jap
anese bronze griffin. with outspread
wings aud spiral. sinnous tail.
As she held II 10 the gus jet 10 light +,
the candle something fell on the rug /,
at her feet and she picked II up. IL
was small. old-fashioned ordinary j.
brass key. She looked at Il hesltating.
ly. IL had never been ON Bob's ring.
she knew, The space between the
wings OF the bronze griffin was cley-
er idea for concealment
She set her lips closely and went up
the garnet stairs with candlestick In
one hand and the key in the other.
Half way there was turn at small
landing, and IL was at the angle made
by this that she had found the little :
low door leading 20 the catch ALL" =
She opened II now and entered. half =
closing the door after her. =,
The desk was pushed 10 one side =
with some trunks and boxes. IL was a !,
quaint. antique affair OF mahogany. Sc !.
yerely Colonial In style. The main
body was crescent shaped. supported
On hand-caryed legs. There were four -
irawers. two on each side. and a small.
ow cabinet OF pigeon holes on top. pi
Suzanne stood motionless before II
'or several minutes. trying TO make up al
Ter mind 10 insert the key. When she
lid so. In the lock OF the nearest top In
rawer. her hand tremblei slightly aud lai
he held her breath. The key turned ri
asiiy and the drawer was ready for
Inspection. but she did not open II. bill
thoughts whirIed like the nutterins IN
nownskes through her mind. and she foi
TODD again irresolute.
She had told Bess that she believed ed
bsolutely In Bob. Higher than her pei
we for him had been her nnfait.rlng
eiief and confidence In him. IL was ",
he very keystone OF her marriage
nth. and yet. at the nrst blow OF sus. VIII
cion. II gave way. on
Bess was a child. with the impulslve agr
Idgment OF child. She had been I
rong 10 even tell her OF the desk. due
rong 10 discuss Bob or his motives Tn
It'll her at all. or TO listen for an In gan
ant TO any doubt OF him. even ia Jest
10 must have faith. aud wait. lie g;s
"a probably locked the desk against
e curiosity OF the servants and had .
rgotten Il In the hurry and excite
ent OF the wedding. She must be =.
we In him. The nero fact that they ~,
IRE married did not give her a coro- =
RS right 70 hold ost.mortem over
, dead past. '"'
There was the sound OF footstep '',.'
the stairs. and she reiocked tho
river quickly. gsh'
IN be down IN moment. Nora ~
, called. "You may serve dinner" 'Hsn
The voice that answered was fnmll. -
and masculine. She nearly let the Da't
idle fall I'm her. surprised rccogni. '''s'
y OF IT, -
It's only I. Sue. What on earth are a.
! doing In there7" a..
I, ~ 80. ..''s aa' ,io'lon'sss rs nc ecpt
r. 1t was Bob. and he was smiling
happy. his clear eyes seeking for foft'
glad welcome he expected. Oh
| only ran down for to- night he moth
ed. II couldn't let you face the durir
New Year alone. sweetheart" In Sc
lis arms reached for her, but she Go
ok her head and handed him the prcsl,
signe
haven't used IT," she said. broken. m
But oh, Bob. came so near n. 30. I,
don't have to tell me what's In the ,h., :,
thing. III believe In you Just the snto,
e, and l don't want TO know
Know whatf' he demanded. Don't
Sue" He drew her to him tender. - -"
whats up. anyhow ~
hat desk" she sobbed. "It's lock- '"'s
$ IT." He stared Mt the desk In Tue
Ilderment well. the key was on so's
mantel. dear You found II all "'"'o'
|, didn't your Couldn't you unlock Abr
Presid
could, but-but don't want 10 DisI
' your private affairs" She tried nounc'
NV herself away. but he took her cvacul
Is and held them from her tear. starte,
face so that she could see her
~ ,.-,,u,, Thirty
Ms pi,a,.oa-a a., The
Inc nroson, g. -, South
er Hadleigh. It's been in the fam. "s ''''
ince the year one. guess. and Iapa
Isn't n afnQfo fbfuo o., th... | from 4