Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-05-26
A Postal Romance.
BY N. QUAD.

by VS. &0RN0a
,coDyright, 1908. by T. C. AIcclure.l
.snector Graham OF the postal serv-
happened to be at Chestnut Grove at
time the postmistress died, and he
: charge Of the Office and did what
sould in other directions. The de-
.sed had left two daughters, one
Ave and one eighteen. Squire Davis
two or three others scarcely wait
The burial of the widow before plan
. for the postmastership and invok-
the aid of the inspector. This they
not receive. however. He promptly
,ommended Bessie, the eldest daugh-
for the place, and she was shortly
pOlnted.
FOR the next year the postofice at
Aegtnut Grove was the best conduct
Of any on the inspectors route. Not
slightest fault could be found in
direction. Had the inspector Wis
N the office four times In the year he
ould have covered his instructions.
n his calls were made much oftener.
BEFORE the year was up Miss Bessie
N to admit to herself that the in
hector was showing something be,
des official interest. and the knowl-
spe embarrassed and panied her. She
N learned that he was free to marry.
M why all these visits IL he was not
love with her? The girl had a Sc
let 1t was secret from the in
hector only, and she trembled every
me he came for fear that he would
lscover it. A dozen different village
Dssips could have betrayed that Sc
et, but they had not been encour-
red to talk. Squire Davis had often
Ia 1t at his tongues end, but had
hecked himself and said:
mot word from me. | said there
IOuld be scandal, and there will be-"
The girl postmistress had entered
pom her second official year, and In
IDector Graham had arrived to pay
he of his semi-social calls, when he
as met by storm of excitement. He
lad been doing a great deal of think
be- during the past three months. He
lad satisfied himself that he was real
j and truly in love with Bessie and
Eanted her for a wife. and he believed
hat he had found favor in her eyes.
Dn this occasion he meant to tell his
Ove and know his fate.
'This is what has happened" said
bqulre Davis, who was the first to
neet him as he stepped of the cars.
IA registered letter containing $50 for
be has been lost in the mail"
But Miss JOrdon couldn't have
AIKEN your letter." protested the sur
prised and perturbed inspector.
"Mebbe not, but what about that fell
er who's been hanging around there
lOr q year?'
The Inspector was an official now in
ptead Of friend. He at once got to
york on the trail of the missing letter,
md before night he assured himself
that II had actually passed through
lhe Office at Sand Hill, which was next
Dn the east. This being so. 1t must
have arrived at Chestnut Grove. The
hight Of it's arrival was a very stormy
One, and there was no one in after
mail until long after it had been dis
ributed. Inspector Graham sat in the
O6ice and thought it out and knew that
lhe letter had arrived and been taken.
he could not bring himself to believe
hat Miss Bessie was the thief, and
yet 1t hurt him to think that it might
have been taken by another-by the
young man to whom Squire Davis had
alluded. The girl had had lover for
! year past and had concealed the fact
nom him. 1t didn't occur to him that
/ was her right and that he had really
no business to know, but he felt that
IN injury had been done him. There
was but one way out Of the business,
and he took it. As he called the post
mistress in he was more of the official
Than he had ever been.
Miss JOrdon," he began, did Henry
williams assist you to distribute the
mail on the evening of the 4thT'
Yves" she replied as her face went
white.
And Henry williams took the let
Ter. You know he did"
II can't be sure" she said as she
broke down and sobbed.
You never told me that you had a
lOver."
No. didn't-didn't think"
Why did he take the letter."
oh, SIR" sobbed the girl, The want
60 TO go away and find work and earn
money so that we could be-be mar
NED 1t was temptation. He must
nave taken II, but wen pay 1t all back
And he loves your asked the In
spector, with lump In his throat.
de does. l know he does. and II
-nything was to happen to Billy
When the Inspector crossed the street
. the inn Squire Davis was still in his
Sulee' hoping to hear that an arrest
AAo been made.
Well, win the girl lose her place
ono be sent IS FrssonT' he asked as
1rahaU came la
NO"
But WHY Dot9 S,.s cortatrly got nv
80"
You didn't lose $50. You lost only
sio You had that sent to you hoping
: would be taken. 1t was taken, but