The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-07-20
Harry's Majority
Bv DA0NEY MAJOR.

window into cbarmiugly appointed
dining-room one bright June morning.
Breakfast was laid for three. At the
head Of the table sat Miss Pris-
ella Payne, a sweet, gray haired
woman, with what is termed
good" face, though lined with
care and trouble. Yes; the bowl
of happiness was low when her share
was ladled out. There was gentle
look of resignation in her face, which
was the reflection Of a brave heart
She frightened up as she heard
quick, light footstep, and her niece,
Jessie Burton, a sweetly pretty girl
of about 10 summers, entered the
| room.
"Good-morning. auntie! Is Harry
DOWN." she asked, kissing her guard
ian.
mo, dear; but he soon will be, I'm
sure. He can only have one twenty
first birthday"
Many letters for him?"
"a few; one is from Australia"
"Auntie." said the girl, suddenly.
with tinge of lovely color flaming
her cheeks, "I-I-have something to
tell you"
II do believe can guess what it is,
Jessie"
20. auntie, am sure you haven't a
notion"
"My dear. your face convinces me
that my conclusion is correct. Come
here and let your old aunt whisper it.:
Harry has proposed and you have ac-
cepted him"
''How did you know" calculated
Jessie. Eyes. he proposed last night.
Aren't you going to congratulate me?''
Yes, yes, darling. May you be
very. very happy" and she kissed her
niece lovingly. "Are you quite sure
Jessie. that you love him, and that
there is nothing that would prevent
you from marrying?"
Jessie replied by look that indi-
Gated such question was entirely un
: necessary.
"You know. dear, was in love once
and some one was fond of me, but
but-things went wrong. Some day
you shall hear the story, dear, ther
you will understand how it is ! an
so anxious about you. All, here il
Harry"
\ At that moment handsome young
fellow entered the room. Jessie raj
and kissed him. and led him to he
aunt. who was smiling through tear
of happiness and sorrow-sorrow be
cause she foresaw bitter parting will
Jessie.
After oft-repeated congratulation
and many happy returns, Harry wa
permitted to open his letters. TIL
gist of the one from Australia ran a
follows:
MY Dear Son: I trust you will receiv
this on the day you attain your majority
Now that you have arrived at a T age OF di:
erection. wish you to know as much of m
history as is necessary. Pray, m
dear son. co rot think hardly of me.
All l have done have done for the bes
l have Instructed that good mai
Rev. William Nayard. your guardian an
counselor all these years. to tell You {
much he thinks nit. He Will Sc
the lawyers for you. After to-day you wi
be able TO draw 81. 500 year. TIL
will continue until my death. when all
have goes to you Wishing you a
happiness my dear boy. Your most a
fectiorate FATHER
Harry read this through twice, ami
strange feeling of uneasiness an
emotion It was the first letter he ha
= ever received from his father. H
sat down. looking rather pale, crusl
ing the letter in his hand. Was b
& three months of perfect happiness ;
s. this house to be married by some no
y rible revelation? He trusted not.
hD, oil ho
& James Barton, his rival.
r. Miss Payne had taken great fan.
e to Harry when they first met, tv
Y years ago. and he had latterly be,
r. STAYING with her and Jessie, with Il
e inevitable result that he fell head ov
y ears in love with her pretty face.
x MY guardian, Rev. William Ma
e land. will be calling to see me to-da
Il Miss Payne" he said at length, ''abo
~ some business matters. And. Jessie
N he broke off. Il should like to S
n you in the garden after breakfast"
e The meal having concluded, wi
~ painful evidence that things had go
" atwist. Harry strolled into the Ga
Ks den with her.
~ Darling, what is it? What is t
!& natter" she asked, gently nestli
- up to him. 4 Something has go
M wrong. and who should share yo
X trouble with you but I?'
N The doubts and perplexities viii
M entangled his mind for a nome
* seemed to overwhelm him, then, wi
ny out a word, he took the girl in
w strong arms and held her closely
f& him.
n Jessie" he began falteringly
SE last, "if-if-there should be anythi
~ that might come between our m
M riage. don't think too hardly of I
S& If there be a secret in my family. an
~ have kept it from you, believe
w when l say that it was through
Ks fault of mine. l had no intention
~ deceive"
* 80, Harry! Harry!" sobbed Jes
~ now thoroughly alarmed. Il do
IN know what you mean, indeed don
S she concluded. with food of tears,
N nothing would comfort her till