Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-03-06
A TreaSueLOStandG Gained

At the bottom, instead OF a name,
were the words "No signature"
! was too distressed to assign rea-
sons as to why the telegram had been
sent unsigned. Alice was a girl |
loved. but from whom had received
no encouragement. Indeed, so indif-
ferent, 80 far as love was concerned,
had she appeared to me that had
never enlightened her as to my real
feelings. The first shock over, I be-
gan to think. Why was / sent fort
The subject OF the message was not
known to any one TO be more to me
than an acquaintance. Who had taken
It upon himself or herself to send for
me7 Had the sender wished to con-
ceal his or her Identity by not signing
the messenger There might be a differ
emit reason. One near to a person in a
critical condition Is naturally much
wrought upon, and IN this case the
omission might have resulted from
agitation.
What should | do? III remained
away after having been summoned the
consequences might be distressing.
Might not Alice herself have given me
her heart, ! not suspectlng It, and d.
rected that the message be sent, but
without signature7 This superstition
dismissed at once, but II had its ef-
feet. II should go and my summons
had not been authorized, 1t would be
very embarrassing.
took a train at once and while on
the cars examined the telegram and
the envelope carefully. | saw nothing
new on either except that my street
and number had not been given. It
must have been sent by some one who
did not know my address, and this
must have been learned at the tele-
graph Office from a dlrectory--a com
mon method In such cases.
II occurred to me that | had better
on arrival say nothing about the tele-
gram, leaving its sending to come out
from the family.
After an all night ride reached my
destination Thinking 1t would be bet
ter for me not TO go to the house too
early, | waited TIL II o'clock. Mean
while had purchased some flowers.
My summons at the door was answer
ed By a trained nurse asked breath
lessly the condition OF the patient.
The reply was Better" Handing her
the flowers, asked her TO give them
to Miss Bond with my card and say
that I had come Immediately upon
learning of her Illness and should
await anxiously further news Of her
condition. took seat in the draw
ing room while the nurse went up
stairs. When she returned she said:
Miss Bond sends her heartfelt
thanks for the flowers and IL deeply
impressed by your kindly interest in
coming. She is simply indisposed
Her mother ia quite III. and am here
attending upon Mrs. Bond. Miss Bond
will be down soon"
replied that was much gratifled
to learn that Miss Bond was not Sc
riously III. as l had been informed.
In half an hour Alice came In look
Ing somewhat pale. but by no means
M. saw at once a pleased express
sion on her face, which she seemed
to be trying to control. II there was
not lore light In her eye and a sim
ilar token In her smile. then I was a
poor interpreter. Like a fash II oc-
Cured to me that there had been some
error In the telegram, but equally
quick | diseerned that 1t had been a
In disguise,
How good Of you to conner she
said. giving my hand a soft pressure.
Il never dreamed that you took 30
much interest In me-"
but you know now"
How in the world did you learn
that I was not wellT'
There was a mistake. I was In
formed that you were quite H."
who Informed your
''Never mind that now. Il Is enough
that | am here and find you in no
hanger"
"Rut-but why did you come. any
wayf"
II have no doubt that to you II
seems strange. When I received the
ele-intelllgence thought you might
% dying"
How sweet Of youl Hut would you
nave gone so far had you supposed
he same OF another OF your girl
'rlendsY"
Il would not"
There was pause. and I feared that
The would get back to that telegram.
I had served u purpose did not wish
I to undo, 50 I said:
This day began the most miserable
4 my llfe. II IL now the happiest."
"whyY The word was spoken 80
'oftly that / could hardly hear IT.
A direct reply would have been. "Be-
'ause Of telegram I received that
vas either sent by some unauthorized
lersou or was intended for another"
instead OF this said:
Because love you"
| would not tell her about the mes
'age, not even during our engage
nent Indeed. have not told her