The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-02-06


Mr.. Meilin. an Involuntary caves
dropper In the perfect quiet OF the
night, elinched his hands and gritted
hard his teeth. while beads of mois-
ture not directly traceable to the
heat stood upon his brow.
Could Il be that she--they--were
going To leave their homef Could II
be that next summer there would be
no neighboring with Mouser's sweet
mistresses? Impossible. Insuffer.
able. But what Was he to them.
And which was she. the siren. who
had so strongly drawn his heart.
Miserable Mr.. Mellin, Never had
distracted lover harder problem to
solve. The only thing was to 20 over
at once, acknowledge his eavesdrop-
ping. and offer help. Hut with what
right? His dilemma might still exist.
And what was he To them-herg Yet
might he not serve as a friends But.
no. he would not 60 now
And then Mr. Meilin, mortal like.
contradicted his own decision by act.
ing quite the contrary. His face grew
pale even In the sight Of Miss Hope
| Cummings who admitted him. Man.
like. he did not know what explana-
ton 10 offer and his heart beat like a
trip-hammer.
II was she who had to smooth the
awkward meeting.
BE seated" she said. and let me
thank YOU for coming. Tonight I
feel | need friend"
And then Mr.. Mellin blundered into
his confession.
Il heard" he said And indeed
! want TO be friend. Nothing win
make me happier than TO be of serv-
ice to you, and l trust you viii feel
that you can open your heart to me-
Il am in difficulties" explained
Miss Cummings. gently. vin which I
have no one to advise me-" and then.
impulsively as Il seemed. she catered
almost eagerly into full details.
Mr.. Mellin listened. dazed and di.
vided In mind. Al last he asked.
hesitatingly. But your. sister. Miss
Desire! Surely this Affects herr
The light from the candelabrum plain.
ly showed n change In Miss Hopes
face. There was thrill, too, In her
voice. almost of supplication. as she
said
| Il stiil have an explanation 10 ofYer.
a confession which owe TO you be-
| fore can accept the least OF your
good Offices. Mr.. Mellin have no
sister. I live alone and have done so
ever since my brother Duncan died,
~ years ago, Desire is but n creature
OF my own imagining. into whom I
would gladly have breathed the breath
OF life. My brother and l were left
alone. and he. poor soul. was very
| deaf. There had never been much In
1 common between US, and with ais af-
fliction--you understand. Then came
| his decline In health, aud my heart
smote me. He would have no help
for his ears. SO | knew ! must have
Il for my oyerweak voice. ! tried
every known system for strengthening
the vocal organs. Constantly. by my
self | talked to keep In practice, II
was a help and ! know the reading
and my music helped poor Duncan
through those last three years" Miss
Hope paused moment AS though to
control reminiscent agitation. then
continued:
Il think ! hardly could have en-.
dured my solitude afterwards but for
that other self to whom had talked
so long. have kept up the habit. and
Desire has been the greatest comfort
TO me-sister. friend. and almost
mother.
And now you have my story. Mr..
Mellin," she concluded. Forgive me
IL have seemed 10 play a double part.
feel that ! have no right to your
friendship you who are so good and
noble. when have deceived you as |
have. but really ] had no such inten.
ton in the beginning; I, was merely
the carrying out Of the happy delusion
with which ! had consoled myself for
so long
But Mr. Mellen's usually ruddy face
had paled with something that was
not anger. Had he no, been admitted
into the penetralla OF most sacred as.
sociations while listening 20 the un.
folding OF the simple domestic mys.
tery7 Now he trembled almost Wis.
ibly as he leaned forward to take the
white hand held out
Il thank you. ! thank you" he said.
for the confidence you have given
me. Let me be your friend until"
and then he stopped.
But IL was not long before John
Melhn was able 10 finish that sen.
tence. saying, proudly: Until now
that ! have this assurance that my
Hope and my Desire are one"
| For Miss Cummings. too had found
an answer 10. a quite undreamed de.
sire.