Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-08-03

her while we opened our stsry. He
was employed on one the railways on
important and profitable wrok.
Maggie, woman-llke, took great in
terest in a wedding, and it was to her
Susie came for advice in many matters
Of millinery aud such like. She re-
ceived many useful presents from the
governess, who really liked the girl. and
erieved to lose even that one humble
friend out of that unfriendly household
where che ielt so utterly alone.
A few nights before Susie was to
leave, she sat with her sweetheart alone
in the pleasant kitchen, talking much
happy nonsense with her lover, when
suddenly she thought OF the last time
that she saw him before he left London,
and remembering his greundless jeal-
ously, rated him soundly for his ab-
surdity in her sauciest manner, rightly
believing that
'Iittle qusrrels often prove
To be new recruits Of love-"
Then when she had scolded him into
most humble spirit, she, woman-llke,
veered round, declaring she liked him
the better for showing so much spirit.
Among other things she said:
DO you know, Joe, through chatting
with you. lost the letter; it was one
that Miss Prenglll gave me to post for
her. hope il was not anything i'm
portant, for 1 never found courage to
confess to her my carelessness.'
Joe looked grave, saying:
That was not right, lass; that was
not like my own brave girl; yet do you
know. dear, that l am TO blame for that,
for picked your pocket Of the letter,
thinking it was for some other sweet
heart Of yours, and then the gafer met
me. and was hurried off TO my new
Job. and expect l threw the letter
aside in the pocket Of my dirty coat,
aud so forgot all about it from that
time to this; but you must help me 10
rectify the fault, love BY going at once
to the young lady and telling her truly
all the circumstances, while [ go home
and try 10 find the letter.
Susie did not like the Office, but she
allowed her loves stern sense OF honor
to compel her to DO his will.
When she had told Maggie and inn
plored her forgiveness, she was fright
ened at her work, for, after q severe
fainting tit, Maggie talked 80 wildly
about the injury they had dsne her,
that Susie ran to Joe FIR counsel, tell
ing him, from what she could glsan
from Maggie's wild talk, the letter
was to Sir Jasper Dernng accepting
with love and gratitude his PROPOSAL for
her hand. He, on hearing this, turned
the letter over and over in his hands
celebrating long in his mad how TO
restore to the lonely girl the happiness
of which they had deprived her.
At last, with bright look, he said:
IF this swell is half the man he ought
to be to deserve Miss Prengill, he'll
say better late than never to her love,
so, 1 say let US post this now.'
"This no good cried Susie; he is at
the Cape of Good Hope; heard one OF
the young ladies say so,'
Well, then,' said he, Il say, still
post it, but first put on the cover to be
forwarded You may depend on 1t
that such an important PERSONS letters
are not likely to miscary.'
Susie cIapped both her plump hands,
then huggIng Joe with relief, said, joy
fully:
OF course, the very thing; you, dear,
clever fellow to think Of il. Run and
post it at once before Miss Prenglll
asks for it, or perhaps her pride will
step in between them; now don't Gaze
if she does say it's liberty so long as
| see her happy. Gcd bless her,
OG Joe ran and returned quickly, tell
inc Susie the letter was beyond their
control.
She carried the news 10 poor, sor-
rowful Maggie, who sat in her lonely,
cheerless room crying like 10 break her
heart. At first she stormed at the girl
for daring 10 take such a matter into
her ewn hands; then seeing how meek
ly Susie looked, she relented OF her
anger. and hoped all was for the best.
Indeed, afterward, she could not help
feehup comforted by the thought that
there was yet a chance for 80 bright
future, an1 sho smiled her sweetest
on Joe when she met him few days
later.
Life was becoming almost unbeara-
BILE in her present position; her en-
ployers getting more exacting and un'
reasonable every day, and never ceA'-
ing to sneer at her as the 'blighted
being
Poor little Maggie! Only those alone
and 80 utterly friendless can picture the
hardness Of her life.
But all was to be altered soon, ior a
grave faced man Of middle age paused
ia his brilliant career to regret bis
sweet lest love, who had, he thought,
rightly rsproved his presumption In
asking her to blend her young life with
that Of world worn, weary mau. he
locked back on the brief happiness OF
their dear friendship, and thought thai
he had been mad to risk the loss OIL
by seeking greater joy.
Then came the long-lelayed letter
amid a batch Of official dOcumcnts-a