Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-09-08

well, would have stopped it II 1 could
The letter was drawn up without the
intention of sending it, and 1t ran as
follows:
Dear Mr.. Wakefield
81 have worked many years for you,
and l feel that it is my right to be
frank. You are an old bachelor and
l am an old maid. l love you. Why
shouldn't we marry? Regard this as
serious and confidential"
Bessie dashed Off Eileen Roberts
signature in hand that was marvel
ously like hers.
Nobody was much afraid of Wake
field. He was a mild, easy-going old
gentleman, and only once had any of
us seen him moved to anger. That
was when man who had insulted one
of our woman buyers came into the
Office. l thought there was going to
be fight-but the boys got him out
somehow and held Mr. Wakefield back.
Still. it was a pretty serious thing.
"If you'll all swear not to tell. I'll
mail it," said Bessie, feeling like a
heroine.
We looked across at the unconscious
Miss Roberts. Don't do it," said.
Bessie stamped the letter, held it
suspended over the mail-chute, looked
at us, and-dropped it down. We sat
back aghast.
The next morning everyone was
very quiet. We were wondering
whom the storm would burst. We
saw Mr.. Wakefield go into his office.
Somebody tiptoed near and reported
that he was opening his mail. But
nothing happened till noon, and then
Miss Roberts was sent for.
She came back ten minutes later in
tears, and the boys looked sheepish,
for it was pretty strong joke to have
played. Only Bessie, with the usual
pert look on her pretty face, went on
with her work
Miss Roberts sat down in her chair
and wept without any pretense at res
traint And THEY'VE saw Wakefield
come striding into our room. In his
hand was the letter. On his face was
the look l had seen once-only once
|
Unless the person who wrote this
thing confesses instantly" he said, Il
shall dismiss the entire clerical force.
The entire force" he Numbered.
He must have seen the involuntary
movement of our eyes toward Bessie
But he said nothing till Bessie sprang
to her feet, white and trembling.
81 wrote it, and I'm sorry" she
cried. ''I'll go. did it, nobody else. -
Mr.. Wakefield looked at the girl in
something like horror. He turned to
ward Miss Roberts. "She doesn't
know, them" / heard him whisper.
Eileen Roberts looked up, and new
er saw face so transformed. She
looked haloed in a madonnalike be
nignancy. She stood up proudly before
us all.
"Ill tell her now" she said in ring
ing tones. mo, I'll tell her before ev
erybody. Everybody knew, every
body has always tainted me with be
ing an old maid. 1t is true l hav'
never been married, but Bessie is m!
child"
The pert look that had been on Bes
sizes face was never seen there again
We looked at the exporters face ant
knew Miss Roberts had spoken tn
truth.
rs this true?" cried Bessie, clutch
ing at his arms convulsively.
Mr.. Wakefield bowed his head. an
nephew is dead now" he said, "an
there is no reason why the secre
should be kept any longer. His wifi
knows. But for that" he continued
turning to Miss Roberts, 81 Shout
have done more for you-more for 20
both. l always meant to- am goin
to now"
The last thing that we saw as W
filed out was Bessie weeping in Mis-
Roberts arms.
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