The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-01-31
Hepsey Harrow's Reticule.
BY W. l. JONES.

After mother had gone to bed ]
went up stairs and brought down
my writing desk. There were some
sheets of paper and some delicate
envelopes, which had been fol
months stored within. and silver
pen and pen handle, which had
been a birthday present in my
school days.
took them out, and the ink-bot.
tie also. The ink was thick, for we
did not write much, either of us,
and | brought the vinegar-cruet
from the closet and thinned it to
my mixing. Then | sat down and
looked at the paper. Then | went
to the stairs and listened to see if
mother was not coming. Then act.
ually seated myself, squared my
elbows. and began to write. This
is what | wrote:
Dear Miss H0yTOW-I am a COW
ard. Not | hope, in one sense, but
certainly as regards sou. For a
year | have loved YOU. Yet, |
would no more have dared to say
so than | would had You been Il
queen. Perhaps because | do not
cherish IA hope that You like me.
Tomorrow You and | will ride
together. Tomorrow | had made
up my mind to try my fate, but |
know | shall not dare TO speak, 50
| write. will give you this letter
to read at home. If the answer be
"No," it will be easier for both OF
us. Will you try and think enough
of me to be my wife one day
| love you better than my life,
and | will do all | can to make life
happy for you. With little hope
| can make my way IN the world as
other men do; | am young and
strong, and not utterly ignorant.
If | am to have that hope, give me
some sign-give me a line, your
name only, anything to show me
what you mean. Ii | am to be
miserable-well then make me no
answer. Silence shall mean "nO,"
| could not bear to see you or speak
to yon after that.
ALMON CRAIG.
| sealed this note in the daintiest
envelope / possessed, and wrote
Hepsy Harrow's name Oh the back,
and hid it in the desk IRON mothers
eyes-sharp eyes, that looked after
me auxi0usly us | drove away with
old Dobbin the following evening.
1t was a pleasant drive, and IA
merry dance and supper, and as
time went on | felt glad that | had
written the letter. For could not
have said what it said for me. 1t
was at that moment when we were
driving homeward that l mustered
courage to ask for the little reticule
which she carried, as the other
girls did, with brush and some
flowers in it, for they had to touch
up the curls and braids after the
windy ride before the dance.
"Why do you want itT she
asked.
ITO put something in it which
YOU must not look at till you reach
home," l said.
"You arouse my curiosity" she
answered. 81 shall look the in
stant have a lamp"
And as she spoke had dropped
the letter and snapped the clasp.
Not word more could / speak,
but at the door | tried for the first
time to kiss her. Her lips eluded
mine, and | dared not repeat the
attempt.
/ drove home and waited, waited
hopefully, as | knew afterward, for
an answer. None came-a day, a
week, month. She had given me
a little, cold, smileless bow. / was
rejected.
"Mother," SAID / that night, tive
must have some one to farm the
place. Pm going to some city,"
Why ~ said she.
ITO make my fortune.' | said.
For that girl - the school
ma'am 7" asked my mother bitterly.
"No," said l, "never for her."
Mother knelt down beside me as