The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1907-12-19

hC NODoulltu ihO wv
tor who attended Mr.. Ackermann rs
to the probable duration of the old
mans illness.
! The doctor assured him that the
trouble was chiefly hypochondria and
that he might live for years in the
same state or might possibly recover
as suddenly as he had collapsed. at all
events the patient was in no immedi-
ate danger.
The inquiry would have done no
harm had 1t not been that the doctor
had talking wife, to whom he told
/ everything, SO before long the whole
: neighborhood was saying that Jack
: Ralston had been asking how long old
man Ackermann could live. OF course
( the story came to Miss Ackermann's
ears, to her intense indignation and
still greater grief. Jack could not deny
! 1t in toto, and short of positive denial
she would listen to no explanation.
There was a quarrel, broken engage
ment, and Jack Ralston went west,
leaving his sweetheart well nigh bro
ken hearted, with only duty to console
her, and sometimes duty Is the best
consolation one can have.
II he had been less impatient there
would have been no trouble. DR.. Bland
did not understand the effect which
broken heart sometimes produces upon
the body. Mr.. Ackermann died before
the winter was over. Jack Ralston
came home as soon as he heard the
news, but Miss Ackermann had gone to
the city with cousin of her mother
found satisfaction in refusing to for
give the lover who had desired her ia
thers death. She would not even see
him, and so the affair ended.
Well, 1t was too late now, and she
was a fool to be dreaming of it. The
sermon was ended, and the music Of
the organ reused her to the conscious
ness of things present and to come.
She took part with the congregation in
the rest of the service and then hur-
ried home to make a hasty toilet for
dhaner.
There was only quiet family gath
ei-ing. The fiance of the oldest daugh-
ter, travelling salesman in the en-
ploy Of a wholesale house, was the
life Of the party. He was considered
a very bright young man and a good
talker. He was at his best today and
kept them all amused with stories of
his travels, so that Miss Ackermann
had only to listen with a semblance Of
interest.
by the way, Miss Ackermann," he
said presently, 81 met an old friend of
yours on this last trip Ralston was
the name-J. w. Ralston. 1t was in
Idaho Boise City. He is doing we'll
in mines out there and is quite chum-
my with one of my best customers,
who has some money in his business.
The two were together at my rooms In
the hotel, and he saw Minis picture on
the bureau. l always carry it around
to keep me out of emptation-guard.
fan angel business, you know, Min
and he saw 1t. You know people say
you two look alike, and the likeness
comes out strong in that photo. II
struck him all Of q heap. Excuse me,
he said, but will you tell me whose
picture that Isl 1t looks very much
/ like some one knew ten years ago.
Certainly said 1. That is my
. best girl. She is thought very much
like lady who lives in the same
house, Miss Ackermann, from New Jer.
sey' Well, it turned out to be the
very same. He asked lots of questions
about you, especially whether you were
married. I gave you good character
and guess you'll be hearing from him
before long. Ross says he is bache
lor."
Miss Ackermann controlled herself
| sufficiently to smile. "Thank you, we
/ were friends and neighbors when ]
was a girl" she replied, and in a mo-
ment more they were all laughing at O
comical anecdote which the drummer
; was telling in his best style. 1t was
no wonder he sold goods.
{ When the dinner was over the host
ess excused herself soon upon the plea
of domestic duties, leaving Miss Acker
mann with the young people. SO
| knowing herself In the way, she lin
, gered but few minutes. Back in hel
!, room she gave way and took refuge IL
, that last solace of her sex, a good cry
= Her overwrought nerves demanded re
, lief and would not be denied.
: She was still huddled, disconsolatC
9 heap, on the lounge when there came
: tap at the door which she recognized
I as that of her little friend She sal
3 up and hurriedly Strengthened her hair
, trusting that in the dim light of tn,
: fast falling twilight the child woult
: notice nothing amiss, sharp as she was
t Come in" she called as the knocl
was repeated.
: "Here's a gentleman to see you" tn,
, child said, with the dir of a person
: who confers favor. "He says he Il
4 an old friend, so l brought him righ
A up" Miss Ackermann remembered
) that, 1t being Christmas day, the mai,
t would be out and that consequent.
;. the little girl would answer the door.
: ''Thank you" she said, you ma,
1 60" Then she found herself face t.
a face with a bronzed and bearded mai
r whose eyes only were familiar.
s "Well, Annie" he said In voice sh