The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-07-03
THE UNK N o w N


would be such fun. But" with little
frown, mother wouldn't like 1t.
81 can stop whenever l like" she
continued. Besides, shall never see
him, and really must break this ter.
rible monotony. So" with half
ashamed glance toward the little no
tice, 81 believe Til do It."
Half an hour later a dainty httle
missIve bearing the address TX. G.,
WATERFOWL, Mass" was sent on its
journey. AS pretty Miss Grace laid
her head on her pillow that night 1t
would have been hard to analyze the
half guilty, half pleasant excitement
that pervaded her mind.
She was visiting her aunt in that
Iady's rustic home in Oregon, recu-
perating after long illness.
Health returned but slowly in her
own mountainous home, so the reluc-
fant young lady sought this mild, Sc
Guided valley in the depth Of mo
where" as she herself expressed 1t,
destined to no company except gen
tie old lady, who let her have her own
way and abandoned her to her own re-
sources. But this mode Of life suited
the sociable, fun loving Grace not at
all. Yet she knew that health was re-
turning and that stay she must.
A week, rendered quite enjoyable by
anticipation. passed. There came a
letter from mother bringing news Of
Brother Franks return home after his
graduation from Harvard university.
She was six years his junior and was
only q child when no went east.
"f suppose wen hardly recognise
each other" she remarked to her aunt,
and the old lady nodded pleasantly, as
she always did.
when she recovered from the excite
ment Of her mothers letter, she began
to await lmpRtisn9iy that other mis-
aive. At last 1t came, and after a
careful thought OF what mother would
say" and half formed decision to tear
II up she broke the seal.
what queer writingr was her 6rSt
thought az the compact backhand script
appeared. But soon all else was for
gotten In her reading. "Why, what
beautiful description she cried at
last. "Oh, how nice he must be! I'm
80 glad wrotel If only mother doesn't
and me outi That was a happy thought
Ito become Miss Bertha Frazsrr"
The ice once broken, 1t was easier to
write. Grace answered promptly and
waited eagerly for the replies. The
young unknown" wrote 30 fagcinat-
ingly, yet through all his letters ran
a certain vein OF fun and amusement
which pushed Grace not q little.
But one day when nearly three
months had passed rather a startling
letter from her unknown" came. He
was coming west Immediately. In fact,
his home was there. and he would call
on her when he arrived in her locality.
Grace turned quite pale at the thought.
Why, what should she dor Should shs
allow him to comet Even Aunt Jane
might object to her receiving a strange
gentleman. "0h, deArP For the anzt
time she repented her little romance,
and a wild desire selsed her to run
away from home. And yet she would
yes. she would like to meet him.
Perhaps she had better stay and make
the best Of II. Then she would no
"But / do hope" abe thought, ''that he
gets here before Frank" That boy
would surely find It all out.
She found herself in a fever OF ex.
element waiting. but still he did not
come. Days heightened into weeks,
and at last she decided that she might
safely return home. There was some
mistake.
It was on the eve of Grace's depar.
ture. Aunt Jane had gone to q neigh.
boring town and left her niece pack.
ing her trunk. Suddenly a footstsp
sounded on the stair. and Hannah, the
cook, burst in upon her.
'Oh, Miss Gracer' the old woman
cried, "who do you suppose3 Your
brother Frank and But Grace
waited for no more. She brushed past |
and was down the stairs into
the sitting room and In her brothers
arms IN a second.
"Oh, Frank" she cried, 81 am 70
glad to see you'll When did you GOMEZ
And have you been home YETI But
Of course you have. and
"Ah, but haven't" interrupted the
young man. his eyes twinkling merrily.
Il stopped or here to call on Miss
Bertha Frazer"
Grace looked up In amusement.
How did he knowf Then she cried
"oh. deari l only did II for
run. was 30 lonesome. But did gou
meet himf who Is hep
Franks stern face rSha1Nd. and.
angling mOrrily. he bowed Low. and
answered, Your humble servant"
ut wasn't you. FrankY'
Haven't I said SOP
"But how did you know It was IY'
@Ah. little sister, your writing BE-
nyed you from the first. was more
'autious, you know" he replied.
TITS too bad" she pouted. 'of
curse you'll tell mother"
''Wiil your
Grace laughed. She began to see
10Th sides OF the case. Certainly she
NaR NOT kha nwNyy |