Arizona weekly enterprise., 1882-11-25
meet V

Meanwhile the days were passing heavily enough in far away America, where Rosamond bore her secret pain. She had kept the knowledge of her plighted faith as choice secret. not to be revealed until Dwight should come. When he failed to come, pride kept her silent still
 The news of his departure struck in her heart like blow. What does it mean? Il will not be base, or little, or suspicious" she told herself; .-there is some blunder. He will come back, he will explain
 But weeks of suspense and uncertain ty passed. She could school her words and her manner, but not her face, and that fair face began to look piteous and wan.
 Astley, watching her with compunc- tious anxiety, felt an ever-deepening heart-ache. Three weeks had passed since his letter of explanation was post ed. Any hour might bring response, and he haunted the postoflice with a pertinacity ineXplicable to his father.
 Il can't stand it much longer,n he told himself If that fellow isn't heard from by tomorrow night, 1 shall make clean breast of it to Rosy, and confess the whole thing"
 And the next evening, that fellow" still not being heard from. he did it. Rosamond, spirit-fair and fragile in her white dress, was sitting on the doorstep in the moonlight, and sitting at her feet, he plunged into ncdidS res.
 ''Rose, do you recollect letter you gave me to post more than month ago?"
 Yes" with little gasp.
 ''Well, forgot it.
 70. Astleyr'
 '.Yes; it was in my pocket you know. 1 was going straight to the office, but something interrupted me-lawn tennis at the Potters 1 believe-and thenI sent my coat to the wash, with the letter still in it. l never found it out till the con- founded thing came back, and some days after, as put it on. happened to feel ill the pocket and there it was what was left of it.''
 Rosamond sat perfectly still. Not a sound came from her lips. Astley wait ed an instant, as if in hope of an answer, then went on,-
 Rosy. darling, you mustn't mind. but couldn't help seeing who the letter was for, and that-that-it was something of consequence. It was all plotted and blurred, but a word or two could be made out here and there. I was awful ly cut up about it. couldn't bear to tell you, and didn't know what to do At last 1 wrote full explanation to Dwight, and l put the scraps in my let tern
 "Astleyr'
 There was ring of hope and of dis may in the exclamation. So absorbed were both that neither noticed that some one swung the gate just then.
 '.Yes, 1 did. and it went three weeks ago yesterday, and by tomorrow you ought to hear from him, that is, if he happened to be in London when the mail got in. 1 didn't mean to tell you till his letter came, but could wait no longer. Just say you forg-Why-wha is it?' as Rosamond sprang to her feet with cry, Dwight. Dwightr'
 ''She's faintedr' exclaimed Astley, in an awe-struck tone, as his sisters head dropped heavily on his arm.
 But happiness is better restorative than burnt feathers. and Tn a little time Rosamond was able to assure Astley of his forgiveness, to smile and ask ques- tions, and finally be left on the doorstep for long moonlight talk with her tru- ant correspondent
 When I saw Mrs. Dwight Edgar at Newport last year, she wore on her wrist a slender chain to which was attached a locket whose lid was big moonstone,
 Within was a singular little wad of what looked like paper which had been wet and pressed together When ask ed what it could be, she answered, eva sively, ''Oh, papier mache; a bit of an old letter which Dwight makes me wear. There's quite story about it, but it's too long to tell"
 Her husband chuckled, and later, sec ing that l was curious. he told me the story which have told you. And you never saw any one so re- formed as Astley is ever since then,'' added Rosamond, with laughter in her voice. He's the most particular crea- ture you ever saw, always fidgeting and fussing for fear he may have forgotten something. If he lives to be hundred, you may depend upon it, he will never again forget another letter in a coat pocket. ."-SuSan COolidge, in IoutNs Companion.