River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-06-24
THE STOLEN LOYE-LETFtRS.
Harpers W eekly.

What nonsense, | am not tired OF
my new lover, but / am angry at my
old one"
Very likely When a girl has dis
carded a country clergyman with $500
n year for baronet with 100000, it is
likely she will be angry at the poor
lover troubling her memory"
II should dismiss the country clergy
man very readily from my memory, il
he permitted Inc. | never thought
Archie Fleming could have been 20
mean" and Maggie threw the poor tat
tered remnant Of 4 rose passiOnately
away from her.
Il do not believe cousin Archie Flem-
ing could do a mean thing, Maggie.
You must be mistaken"
II wish | was. Come closer, Kate
and l will tell you all about it," and the
two young girls seated themselves on q
low ottoman in a confidential attitude
Now, Maggie, when and what?''
THE when was two evenings ago
Sir John and | were coming across the
moor, just as happy as-as anything
and thought Archie was in London
when we met him suddenly as we turn
ed into Hawthorn Path And what do
you think? They rushed into each
others arms ike-like two Frenchmen
| do believe they kissed each other. II
was John and Archie, and handshak-
ing, and how are you, old fellow? and
that kind Of thing, until | was quite dis
gusted. Men going on in that way are
ridiculous -
"By-and-by Sir John remembered me,
and supposed Archie knew his fair
parishioner Miss Leslie and Archie
bowed in the most distant manner, and
said he had the honor of being my poor
cousin Menneyer can keep anything,
and before we had walked a quarter OF
mile Sir John had cOntrived to let
Archie know how matters stood between
us"
THAT was not very pleasant, but OF
course you were off with the old love be
fore you were on with the new"
Not exactly | had stopped writing
to Archie, and if he had an ounce OF
sense he might have guessed the rea-
SON"
Kate shook her head and looked
grave,
Nov Kate, don't be aggravating.
The case is just this, Sir John and Archie,
it seems, are old school friends, and
Archie has all sort of romantic notions
about fidelity to his friend, and threat
ems to tell Sir John how badly | have
treated him."
Then YOU have seen Arche?'
''Yes, | sent Davie Baird to tell him
to meet me in the conservatory last
night"
How imprudent,"
Il had to do it. | wanted to coax
Archie to let me off easily and to give
me back my letters. | must have the
letters, Kitty, really must
"Well?'
"Well, he said some very dlsagreeable
things-truths he called them-and /
cried, and looked just as pretty as |
could He insisted | was in love with
Sir Johns title and money, and not with
himself; and when | said that was not
true, and that | loved Sir John very
dearly he got quite in Il temper. 1t is
my belief that he would rather / mar
ried for money than love if | don't mar
~ him. That's the selfishness of men,
Kitty. | wouldu' be so mean for any
thing. And oh, Kitty, he said he would
not give me back my letters, and | must
have them
Il should no worry about a few love
letters"
kitty you don't know all or you
would not say that"
Tell me all then
Il have sent Sir John jtt~t-he-Some
letters, word for word. You know |
never was good at composition, and
when Clara Joyce was here, got her to
write me some beautiful love letters.
She liked doing it, and | thought |
might need them. | copied them for
Archie. and they were So clever | copied
them also for Sir John. Now, Kitty,
if Archie should show those letters as
he said he would. how both of them
would laugh nj me, | could not bear
it,"
Kate looked very much troubled.
Indeed, Maggie, you are right size
answered You must have your let
tiers; and if Archie will not give You
them they must be stolen from him;
that is all about it, 1t would never do
to let him hold such power over your
little head. and it would be worse after
YOU were married than before it, You
are sure that he viii not give them up -
He said he never would give them 10
me"
Perhaps he has burned them
"Oh no, he could never bear to do
that. why, he idolizes them, Kitty.
Just before he went away he told me
that they were laid in rose leaves in the
drawers of his Indian cabinet
VERY good. Grandfather sent that
cabinet To the parsonage. ! dare say 1t
is exactly like the one in his room. If
so, it is likely grandfather's key will
open the minister's
"Oh, Kate you burst not do such Il
thing
Il dare. under the circumstances OF
two evils one should choose the least.
Anything, almost, is better than giving
a rejected lover such Il power over YOU.
II would be different if it was me. |
would defy him. and take the telling i'll
my own hands"
Il would not DO that. Archie might
:easC me to death first
Il know, YOU dear. foolish little We
man. But YOU shall have your letters,
Maggie. 50 20 10 bed, and sleep soundly
on my promise.
when o.
Perhaps tomorrow Archie dimes
with the disbop tomorrow. | shall find
no better opportunity, | think
The next morning proved to be one
of those drenching days quite charac-
teristic of an English November. Still,
about 3 o'clock. Miss Leslie insisted on
riding to the village. Her grandfather
made some opposition, but soon gave IN
to Hates set ways and her decided
declaration that She would be i'll with
out her gallop.
Arriving nj the village, she stopped AT
the parsonage door, and nodding pleas
antly to the housekeeper, who opened
1t, she said she was very wet, and would
like to see her cousin. and dry her
habit.
The parson was gone te the Bishops,
but if Miss Leslie would come in there
was a fire in his parlor, and she could
warm her feet. and have a warm cup of
tea: and Miss Leslie, after little af
fected hesitation and little more press
ING. consented to do So
She permitted Martha to remove her
hat and bring her some tea, and then
she sent her down to give the groom 4