The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-10-25

swore by the bride and considered the
groom the luckiest man that had ever
wCoed woman.
Kate, having Joined the navy matri-
nonially felt at home at a naval sta
tion, and her aunt. who adored her, In
vited her to remain with her indefinite
ly. So Kate stayed where she would
be in touch with her husband far more
than at home. That was an exciting
summer. First came news of the fight
| In Manila hay. then the entrance of
The Spanish Admiral Cervcra's feet
into Cuban waters. it's attempt to es-
cape and it's destruction.
Peckham and Holt went through this
last fight, and when 1t was over the
latter officer was ordered to the COM
mand of small supply boat and di-
rected to sail for the Brooklyn navy
yard.
Can do anything for you at homer"
he asked of Peckham.
Nothing. unless you will take let
ter for my wife. You will mail it as
soon as you get to Brooklyn"
with pleasure" replied Holt.
Peckham wrote a short note to his
wife and gave it to Holt
1.-THE trap I'm to command Is not
very seaworthy." said the latter. "If
/ meet big blow | may not get
through, But | promise you. Hector.
that your wife shall have the letter."
Peckham hoped that his friend
f11x
parted.
One morning young Mrs. Feckham
was sitting in her room at Annapolis
reading accounts Of the naval fight off
| Cuba-she had read them many times
before when a draft blew open the
door and there came into the room
strong smell of the sea. Standing be-
fore the opening was Leslie Holt, pale
and exhausted.
why, Mr.. Holt!' exclaimed Mrs.
Peckham
Without word he handed her a let
ter. Thinking 1t to be from her hus-
band or that 1t might bring her bad
news from him. her attention was mo-
mentarily turned from Its bearer to
the letter. 1t bore evidence of having
been wet A dampness chung to It..
and the letters of the address had
run together. She tore 1t open and
read 1t. 1t was simply an announce
ment that the writer was well. had
suffered nothing In the recent engage
ment and hoped before many weeks to
return to her. Having satisfied her
self that 1t BODIED no harm to the man
SHE loved. she turned to its bearer. He
was not there.
Thinking that what had passed be-
tween them before her marriage had
led him to go away without even hav-
Ing been thanked. she tossed the letter
on table and ran out into the hall to
stop him. Not finding him In the hall,
she went out on to the porch. He was
not there, nor was he anywhere to be
seen, though there was nothing for
some distance to obstruct her vision.
Stranger she said to herself and
returned to her room. fear coming
over her that the affair was In some
way connected with misfortune to
her husband. Going to the table, she
was about to snatch up the letter
when she saw that 1t was not where
she had put 1t. Looking on the floor
for It. she did not find 1t.
I'm sure something has happened
to HectonG she moaned. Leslie Holt
slipped away on purpose so that he
wouldn't have to say Anything to me
about 1t. But how pale he looked and
how exhaustedr'
Thinking draft might have blown
the letter Off the table, she looked
about until she saw something of d
light brownish color in a cor her. Sure
that II was the letter, which had been
dtscolored, she seized 1t. What was
her surprise to find seaweed.
There was something so uncanny In
all this that she was now thoroughly
frightened. Dropping the seaweed.
she put both hands to her temples In
an effort to regain her equanimlty.
Then, rushing out OF the room, she ran
to her aunt and sank In swoon.
Ten minutes later DR.. Coggswell.
medical officer at the academy, was
called to Professor Lyall's quarters. He
found Mrs. Peckham lying on bed In
high state Of nervous excitement.
Mrs, Lyall told the doctor, before he
saw the patient, the story her niece
had told her, and he did not permit the
~ Vn1f