The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-01-11
THE LOYE-LEPFER.

lu6y udQ Uctii UOdIuluS VOSctucI dt
the farm, Jane Heth and Annie Conyers;
and all that autumn Mr.. Craig had been
fishing and shooting in the vicinity, and
making the farm, which was renowned
for its good fare, his headquarters. And
Mr.. Craig was handsome and dashing
young widower, and Jane Heth had
made up her mind that to be Mrs. Craig
was her destiny.
Indeed it might have been, for perse-
verance can accomplish wonders, had
not Annie Conyers brought her trunks,
her crotcheting, her sketch-book and her
blue parasol to the farm for the summer.
Annie was not prettier, nor younger,
nor, better dressed, nor more accom-
plished than Jane; but man loves one
woman and does not love another, and
who can explain why?
Amongst those hills and on that lake
the colonel gave his heart to little Annie,
and she gave hers to him.
But on the day that called him home,
nothing had been said that could have
been construed into an engagement; but
he had asked her if he might write
to her, and she had said " Yes," }" and Jane
had heard the request and permission.
Jane did not love Mr.. Craig, but her
vanity was piqued, and she had greatly
desired the position which she would
have held as mistress of his handsome
house. Her heart was very bitter as she
turned away, for he had not asked her
to write to him; and, if their acquaint-
ance dropped, as it seemed about to do,
her hopes of clenching the nail when
they again met in the city the coming
winter, as they would be likely to do,
would be quite futile. As she stood
watching the stage drive away, she felt
that summer had been wasted, and that
there was nothing left to do but to pack
up and return to the city at the end of
the week.
Meanwhile Annie had run away to her
own room. She fancied she knew what
would be in the letter which he would
send her, and she felt what her answer
would be. She wanted to be alone and
think it over; and until tea-time she hid
herself from Jane, and from hospitable
Mrs. Wilton herself. When, however,
she came down to tea. she looked so
bright and happy, that Jane felt like
wreaking vengeance upon her.
Three days had passed since the
colonePs departure, and one evening
Jane stood leaning over the gate, when
a wagon drove up the road and stopped
beside it moment. From beneath its
covers peeped the white head of an old
farmer.
"Good-even', miss" said he. I've
been to the post-office, and they said
there was letters for Wilton's folks, and
fetched 'em:oyer. Amt got my glasses
with me, go 1 don't know who they are
writ to; but you can see. All well
That's right. Good-evenin'."
And away he drove, leaving Jane with
two letters in her hand, one for herself
and one for Annie Conyers.
Her own was from her mother. She
knew the writing; the other-well she
knew the hand that directed that, also.
1t was from Mr.. Craig.
And am to give it to herr" NUT
tered Jane, between her teeth-"IW
And then, with an impulse which
seemed to her unconquerable, she hur-
ried away towards wood, hiding both
letters in her pocket.
At least she would delay her rivals
happiness; she would not carry it to her
at once.
Then alone in the green shadow she
took the letter from her pocket, and
looked long and curiously at the super.
scrjption.
Yes, it was from Craig, and what had
he said ? Perhaps, after all, he was not in
earnest. Could she but read what he
had written, she would know.
She took pin from her dress, and
drew it along the edge of the envelope
1t opened a little spare, but the rest
elung as closely as before. Impatient
at this, she forgot all prudence, and drew
the pin across the paper with q sudder
push. 1t cut its way through, and now
the mischief was done. James heart bea
hard and fast with terror, but she hac
gone too far to stop.
@ shall know the TRUTH" she said
'and letters are always being lost il
these country post-ofices; I'll read ii
since I've torn it." Then she pulle,
away the envelope, spread the sheet @