Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-10-07

wnen the jewellers took leave. Merri-
hew was happy with that evanescent
happiness which goes hand in glove
with late suppers and magnums
Isn't she u little wonder. Jack?"
Yes she Is. Dan. II might be a good
thing for you to marry a sensible little
woman like that. But she won't have
you"
mo. she won't" Merrihew reached
for his watch. -Four a. M"
Say. what do you think Of that man
WORTH"
Very good voice. but he's too hand
some"
''Oh, go on: You're as fine a looking
chap as there Is In New York. But this
man Worth has the looks Of a lady
killer. He's been eying Kitty. but 1t
doesn't go. Hang 1t, can't see why
she won't marry me now"
You must have patience"
"Or more money. Can't O'Mally tell
good story, thought"
Yes. but | should hate to turn him
loose In my wine cellars. | imagine
he Will praise anything good to drink
but water"
Merrihew roared.
well. here's your station. Dan.
Shall l see you tomorrow"
"Eight-thirty In the park. Nothing
like horse for u headache"
Hillard arrived home tired and
sleepy, but as he saw letter on the
stand In the hall his drowsiness passed
quickly. There was no other blue en-
velope like 1t. She now had his house
address: she was interested enough to
look 1t up. She did not follow his lead
and write in Italian she wrote in Eng
lish-crisp English too, Again there
was neither beginning nor ending Bui
this was "A letter. There was something
here of the woman. something to read
and read again:
1 had told the maid to burn your letter
but she left 1t the floor where hai
thrown II. and | came across II this
morning 1t looked rather pathetic. 80
l am writing you against my better Judg-
ment Yes. | know your name | find
that ! am well acquainted with people
you know. 1 am a woman VINO often sur
renders 10 the impulse OF the moment
may or may not answer any future letter
from you. You write very good Italian
but II will surprise you to learn that de-
test all things that are Italian. Once |
loved them well. Why should you wish to
know me? Our ways are US divergent as
the two poles. Happy because | sing?
There are some things over which we
can sing or laugh, but of which we can
not sneak without Or nm
happy. what can this matter to you? To
you l shall always remain the lady In
the fog. Are you rich. young. talented?
care not In the least. Perhaps It amuses
me to add to your confusion. Find met
think not. Misguided energy!
Hillard put the letter away. extin-
guished the lights and passed up to
his room. This was direct challenge.
He would accept 1t. This time he
would use no personal to tell her that
a letter awaited her. She should make
the inquiries herself. And from the
mail clerk he would obtain descrip-
tTOn Of the elusive Nine. Angot. Next
morning he rode In the park with
Merrihew. Again he saw the yelled
lady on the Sanford black. Out Of
normal curiosity he telephoned the
stables and made inquiries. The reply
was short. No one at the stables knew
the lady, but she rode the horse on
proper authority
That night he wrote:
l shall keep on writing till you cease to
reply Let me be frank with you. 1 am
bored. So are you. The pleasure you de-
rive in keeping up this mystery engages
you. You bid me to find you. l accept
the challenge. You must understand at
once that 1t is the mystery that interests
me. 1t Is the unknown that attracts me.
l am mentally painting you In all sorts
of radiant coors. You defy me to find
! you. There Is nothing SO reliable as the
unexpected. nothing SO desperately un-
certain as a thing assured. l warn you
that shall lay all manner of traps, way
lay your messengers. bride them. l shall
find out where you live. The rest will be
! simple
She replied: