The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-06-17

| the romance. ana had looked upon Bob
as an impressionable youngstar. 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, tAa
boys called him Perhaps esSsr al.
Bob had been Jealous of the copper.
made millions, and had married her In
fit OF plQue.
She turned from the window with
sudden determination. 1t lacked half
an hour OF dinner time. A lonely din
ner FOR 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 a few strange resolutions for the
coming year.
1t was dark on the garnet stairs. She
stopped at the door OF Bob's dressing
room and took a eandlestick from the
mantel. 1t was wedding gift-a Jap
anese bronze grimm. with outspread
wings and spiral. sinHOus tail.
As she held It to the gas Jet to light
the candle something fell on the rug
at her feet and she picked II up. II
was q smRll. old-fashioned ordinary
brass key. She looked at II hesitatIng-
y. Ii had never been on Bob's ring.
she knew. The space between the
wings OF the bronze griffin was a elev-
er idea for concealment
She set her lips closely and went M
the garrett stairs with candlestick In
one hand and the key in the other.
Half way there was a turn at a small
landing. and 1t was at the angle made /.
BY this that she had found the little
low door leading to the catch all
She opened it now and entered, half
closing the door after her.
The desk was pushed to one side
with some trunks and boxes. 1t was a .
quaint antique affair OF mahogany, Sc
yerely Colonial in style. The main
body was crescent-shaped. supported
on hand-carved legs. There were four
drawers. two on each side, and a snaR
low cabinet Of pigeon-holes on top.
suzanne stood motiOnless before n
for several minutes, trying to make up
her mind to insert the key. When she
did 50. In the lock OF the nearest top
drawer, her hand tremblsd slightly ana
she held her breath. The kay turned
easily and the drawer was ready for
inspection, but she did not open IL
Thoughts whirled Ike the nutterins
snowhakes through her mind, and abe
stood again irresolute. n
She had told Bsss that she believed
absolutely In Bob. Higher than her
love tor him had been her unfaltsrina
belief and confidence In him. II was
The very keystone Of her marriage
faith, and yet. at the nrst blow Of sus-
oicton. Il gave way.
Bass was child. with the irnpulsivs
Judgment OF q child. She had been
wrong to even tel her OK the deRk
wrong to discuss Bob o. his rDOttvea
With her at all, o. 10 nstan for an In
Itant 70 any doubt Of him. even in test.
She must have cAitA. and wait He
lad probably locked the dsah aaainwt
be curiosity OF ths servants and had
orgOtten II In the bury and excite
neat Of the wedding. Shs must be-
ieVs In him The new fact that thsy
ysrS married dtd nOt give be- a eoro-
isrS right TO bold a poSt-mOTsaIa OVER
Ia dead past :
TberS was the nOund q a foo&stsp
q the stairs, and Ahs reJocksd Tia
raweE quickly.
III h down IN q moment Noru--
he called You may serve dinner
Tho votes that answered vas fnmll =
~ and masculine She nearly let the :
andls fall In Der surprised recognL 4
Ion Of It
"Its only I, Sue. What on earth ar.
on doing IN thersr o.
She stood mute and raotionIess a. he >
snt his head and entered the low :
cor. 1t was Bob. and hs was smiling :
nd happy. his clear eyes seeking for h
ls glad Welcome he expected. >,
1 only ran down for tonight he
dded Il couldn't let you face the
rst New Year alone, sweetheart" q
His arms reached for her, but abe -
hook her head and handed him the L
ey.
Il haven't used It." she said, broken -
,. But oh, Bob, came so near H. y
on don't have to tell me what's in the ~
d thing. I'll believe In you Just the ~
lms, and 1 don't want TO know a =,
Know what7'' be demanded. Don't =
,, Sue" He drew her to him tender. u
!. whats up. anyhow
That desk" she sobbed Its lock. t s
l." th
rs it7" He stared at the desk in ~
swilderment Well the key was on i
, mantel. dear. You found it ali 't
ght didn't you? Couldn't you unlock ~
?"
Il could, but-but I don't want N VI
Tow your private affairs" She tried
draw herself away. but he took her 3
lnds and held them from her tear -, 80
ct face 80 that she could see her
,es. IN
Sue, darling" he said. You blesge, -
tie Mrs Bluebpard- that desk ia u