Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-06-03


sacque, she sat down to her work.
Opening the box where she had left
her trimmings the night before, the
first thing she saw was fresh white
envelope, addressed with her own
name in plain, bold hand.
Wondering who had placed it there,
she took it up, unfolded the little sheet
within, and with hated breath and
swift beating heart, she read:
TUESDAY, April l, 49,.
DEAR MISS ANNA 81 have come to
the resolution to tell you something
which has long been in my mind, and
which you would have known long
since had not been doubtful as tc
how you would receive it. In few
words, Miss Anna, l love you. And
my brightest dreams are Of dear lit
tie home which you will make happy.
Will you Anna +. And as my anxiety is
great, will you please relieve it at once!
l have tried to let this reach you
through no hands but my own. Will
you do as much for me 7You will
find writing materials where you found
this Will you write your answer in
a few words and bring it to my desk
with your own dear little hands this
morning? And then whatever you
may reply, 1 shall bless you for the
consideration thus kindly shown to one
who hopes one day to sign himself
Your devoted husband,
FRED HUNTER.
With no suspicion of the cruel joke
which had been played, lonely, loving
little Anna Grigg, with no home but
tiny six by-nine room in a noisy
clearinghouse, let the letter slip to her
feet and covered her burning face with
her slender hands, in a sudden burst OF
thankful happiness.
For, close hidden as it had been
Lucy had guessed right, there was a
sweet little secret about the handsome
cashier nestled down in the very depths
of her innocent girls heart, which made
this cruel letter very welcome and very
precious.
But only moment did she yield;
the letter was quickly picked up and
concealed in her pocket, and a second
glance given into her trimming box
Another tiny sheet and envelope, fresh
and unused, lay there. And Annals
sweet face flushed anew at this little
proof of her lovers thoughtfulness for
her,
The other girls were coming in now,
and slipping the little sheet under her
velvets, Anna began with def, swift
fingers, to finish her work, a happy
light beaming in her soft brown eyes.
1t did not occupy a great while tc
complete her task. Then Anna took
her box to the farther end of her coun,
ter, drew her pencil from her pocket
and hastily wrote these words:
Mr. HUNTER Il did not, indeed,
guess before at what your kind letter
has just told, but l have been so lonely
it makes me very happy to know that
any one loves me. And if you are
really in earnest-but know you are
too noble to trife with any ones heart
since you are in earnest in saying that
I can make your home happy, I an
willing to try, and I do not fear te
give my happiness into your hands
As you request in your letter, I viii
hand you this answer at your OWL
desk with my own hands. I DOM
think I am worthy, plain girl like me
to be your wife, Mr., Hunter, but since
you choose me l am very glad.
Yours earnestly, ANNA.
She folded her note, slipped it into
the envelope and addressed it, just a.
Lucy Clark came up stairs under pre-
tense of matching some lace. Ann;
hastily hid her note under some vel
vets, but Lucy had managed to see ii
first.
The lace, of course, was not to b.
matched, and Lucy hurried down
stairs to report to Hetty. in great glee
"Shes got it, and she's just writer
the answer knew the envelope in 6
minute, and besides, l saw the address
Fred Hunters as plain as could be
Now let's wait till she comes down"
And neither Hetty nor Lucy noticed
that at that moment Fred Hunter him.
self passed close to where they stood
OF knew that he caught Miss Lucy's
last words. He did not understand
them then, but after awhile clue was
placed in his hands.
The two plotters kept as near the
cashiers desk as they could, and before
very long, as was often the case. Anna
Grigg came down to bring some bills
to Mr.. Hunter.
They could scarcely conceal thiel
meriment, as they plainly saw her
watching closely as they did, lay lit
tie white envelope on the desk with