The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27
The Stolen Love-Letters.

In the Uncertain flickering freight
pretty Ms sgie Leslie sat pulling a rose
to pieces, Her sister Kate watched her
few moments impatiently, and then
said! "What are you doing, Maggie P
Tired of your new lover. eh ?"
What nonsense! am not tired of
my new lover, but l am angry at nv
old one."
VERY likely. When a girl has dis
carded a country clergyman with f3O0
year for baronet with 100000, it is
likely she will be angry at the poor
lover troubling her memory"
~ should dismiss the country clergy
man very soon from my memory, if he
permitted me. I never thought Archie
Fleming could have been so mean -
and Maggie threw the poor tattered
remnant of rose passionataly away
from her.
II do not believe Cousin Archie
Fleming could do mean thing, Mag
gle You must be mistaken"
81 wish / was. Come closer, X ate.
and l will tell you all about it," AID
the two young girls seated themselves
on low ottoman in confidential atti-
tude.
Now Maggie, when and what ?"
1.-The when was two evenings ago.
Sir John and were coming across the
moor, just as happy as-as anything.
and l thought Archie was in London,
when we met him suddenly as we
turned into the Hawthorn path. And
what do you thinkp They rushed into
each other arms like-like two French
men. do believe they kissed each
other. 1t wss John and Archie and
hand shaking, and How are you old
fellow p and that kind of thing, until
l was quite disguised. Men going on
IN triat way are so ridiculous!
"'By-and-bJe Sir John remembered me,
;and supposed Archie knew his tair
parishiOner Miss Leslie and Archie
bowed in the most distant manner, and
said he had the honor OF being my poor
cousin. Men never keep any thing, and
before we had walked a quarter of a
mile Sir John had contrived to let
Archie know how matters stood be-
tween US"
"That was not very pleasant, but OF
course you were off with the old love
before 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.
Now, Kate, don't be aggravating
The case is just this. Sir John anC
Archie, it seems, are old school friends
and Archie has all sorts of romantic no
tions about fidelity to his friend, anC
threatens to tell Sir John how badly
have treated him."
Then you have seen Archiep"
"Yes; l sent Davie' Baird to tel
him to meet me in the conservatory las
night"
II had to do it. / wanted to coa1
Archie to let me off easily, and give m,
back all my letters. l must have tn,
Letters, Kitty. really must"
"WellP"
"Well he said some very disagreeab blc
things-truths he called them-and
cried, and looked just as pretty as
could. He insisted l was in love Will
Sir johns title and money, and not will
himself; and when l said that was no
true, and that l loved Sir John yer,
dearly, he got quite in a temper. 1t il
my belief that he would Fl ther / mar
ried for money than love if don't MARI,
him. That's the sel6shness of men
Kitty. / wouldn't be as mean for any
thing. And oh, Kitty, he would no
give me back my letters, and l mus
have them"
II should not worry about few
ve-letters."
Kitty, you don't know all, or yo
would not say that"
Tell me all, then"
have sent Sir John just--the-sam
Letters, word for word. You know
never was good at composition, an
when Clara Joyce was here, got he
TO write me some beautiful love-letters
She liked doing it, and / thought
might need them. l copied them TO
Archie, and they were so clever copie
them also for Sir John. Now, Kitty,
Archie should show those letters, as h
said he would, how both OF them woul
laugh at me! could not bear it,"
Kate looked very much troubled
indeed, Maggie, you are right" sh
answered. You must have your lei
ters; and if Archie will not give yo
them, they must be stolen from him
that is all about it. 1t would never d
to let him hold such a power over you
poor little head, and it would be wors
after you were married than before i
You are sure that he will not give thel
upP"
"He said he never would give thel
tO Hos
perhaps he has burned them"
"Oh. no, he could never bear to {
that. Why, he idolizes them, Kilt
Just before he went away he to
me that they were laid in rose leaves
the drawers of his Indian cabinet"
Every good. Grandfather sent tn
cabinet to the parsonage. l dare say
is exactly like the one in his room.
so, it is likely grandfather's key W
open the minister's"
"Oh, Kate, you burst not do such
thingr'
Il dare, under the circumstances.
two evils one should choose the leaS
Anything, almost, is better than givil
rejected lover such power over 20
1t would be different il il was me.
would defy him, and take the telling
my own hands"
=" could not do that. Archie mig
tease me TO death first"
81 know, you dear, foolish lit
woman. But sou shall aave your h