The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-06-01

French, and as he read the tender. ell
dearing epithets to this woman whom
a king had loved Hayward realized
that into his alien hands had fallen IL
great secret which. If revealed, with
its hint of plot and counterpart. would
prove the literary sensation Of Il life
time.
He had but to go forth and say: "See
what I have found in an old brass box
picked up in an auction room. 1t is
a monarch's autograph letter to his
sweetheart. 1t is as simple and pure
in its tender sentiment as a letter that
you or l or any other commoner might
write, and yet 1t contains q secret
which the world would snatch ut ca
gerly, a mystery for which historians
have probed in vain, a doubt which
has inspired a mighty volume of spec
ulation! 1t Is here. How much am I
offered"
If he published his find to the world
1t meant riches to him. 1t meant more
than enough to marry upon and be
happy. Edith had waited two years
for him to make good the promise of
his brilliant college career. Another
year or so of upward struggle and he
would have arrived at his desired goal.
But If in those years he might have
Edith by his side!
II he published the letter he had
found in the brass box he would be
rich. They could be married imme-
diately. Not one man in a hundred
would have hesitated, yet Robin Hay
ward did. He was the exceptional
man.
He carried this problem. as he had
many others, to Edith herself. The
next evening found him explaining
his purchase of the brass box and the
wonderful secret it contained.
Edith Layton brooded over the roya!
love letter with tender eyes.
"That is real love. Robin she said
at last. "The poor woman must have
treasured the letter. See how it is
worn and creased with much reading.
She could never bear to part with it..
and SO she had this box made with
the secret cylinder in which to con-
ceal her precious possession. She
would not have dared keep it other
wise, and possibly she hoped it would
be buried with herr
Hayward nodded. "She died sud-
denly. you know"
"She probably did not realize that
she might be leaving the letter for
posterity to scott at. l know you feel
| just as l do, Robin. If it would do
any good to the world. if it taught a
lesson or added to the worlds litera-
ture-but it does not! What shall you
do with it|' Her question came di-
rectly at him. as he knew it would
come. Her clear gray eyes sought his
anXiously, as if she doubted whether
he might withstand the temptation.
Hayward stiffened in his chair. 81
am tempted to sell it for money, for a
price that will enable me to offer you
a home worthy Of you. That is what
l want to do" he said bluntly.
She made no reply. She knew the
temptation that assailed him, and she
knew the struggle he was making
against his better principles.
No man had greater pride in the
fruits of his personal endeavor thar
Robin Hayward. She wanted him to
prove his capabilities. not to purchase
an easy road to fortune through bar
tering the frailties of persons long
dead. She wanted him to fight a fight
and come out victorious.
""We could be married at once" said
Hayward. rising and going to her with
outstretched hands.
She placed her hands in his. 1--WE
could" she said slowly.
do you mean it, darling" he cried
ecstatically.
"Yes. Robin"
Five minutes later he was on his
way to the door. II am sure Latham
will want the whole thing. You know.
he is writing a history of the French
courts, and this will be a find for
him." He paused abruptly as his
glance encountered the stern visage of
Edith's grandfather in its gilded frame
lear the door.
That sturdy American pioneer, Sim
con Layton, had asked no odds of any
century I'VE his own. No other hands
had helped to pile up the immense for
tune that arose like a barrier between
Hayward and the girl he loved. High
ideals, hard work, pluck and steady ap-
plication had made him a model citi-
zen and a rich man..
With a sudden revulsion of feeling
Hayward looked away from the por-
trait to Edith standing before the fire.
She always wore her p}ainest gowns
when Robin came. and now, standing
there in her simple white dress, with
his modest ring shining alone on her
slender hand. she seemed very near
within his reach. He would win her
by work alone. Every dollar that he
earned might pull down u dollar of
that great wall Of wealth that stood
between them.
II can't do It," he said brusquely.
With n cinu1a. e<riGo ho woo hosi6o hor