The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-07

felt that the time bad come tina,
The yer, Sight tie-tfe engagement
that existed between them-was
about to be severed, and she drew
from her finger the bauble of dia-
Imonds and gold that before
meant so much but now so little, ere
lshe read the letter.
| She gave Regina her letter. who
received it with look OF malicious
triumph, which did more toward
Strengthening poor Lily than aught
el>e that could.have come And when
the girl opened her letter there was
a look of dignity upon her face which
a lded a new charm to he, purity and
beauty.
| The letter contained simply few
loving words of coincidence, and a
wish for her society, as of old, but
couched in too cool language to
meet the tender longings of her in
jured soul. Twas evident he had
not thought of breaking the engage
ment. But to her it was broken.
The look of Regina had made diff
ferent woman of Lily, and she now
demanded all of her vacillating low
er's affection, or none. She still
permitted the ring to lie on the Jew
el-case, where she had placed it,
though she could not divest herself
of the feeling that spirit ring
still encircled her tapering finger.
/ Regina's letter contained request
from Mr.. Holmes to meet him in
the arbor that eveniDg-as he had
something of importance to say to
her. And she, supposing that some
thing must be an avowal of love and
an offer of marriage, at once wrote
an answer, intended az deccy.
And in her JOY at her success-of
which, by the way, she had been
rather doubtful OF late-wrote an
other to dear friend 10 the city, a
Miss Malvern. to whom she had ex
posed her entire proceedings for the
last four weeks, with the anticipated
contamination ofthat evening, when
the signing fool, as she elegantly
called him. was to he summarily
dismissed. She then sealed her let
tiers. and sent them by Egbert's mes
senger.
Mr.. Vernon was much better that
afternoon, and wished to sit upon
the balcony. that he might enjoy the
beautiful September air, and the
news at the same time.
Lily wheeled him out in his in
valid chair, and was reading the pa
per to him. when she heard an elias
tic step coming up the road, and in
moment more Egbert came up the
road with flushed face and bowed
, head, which attitude he still retain
ed as be passed the windows of the
parlor where regina was singing and
PLAYING a difficult air for his espe-
cial benefit. He was strangely in
different TO the musical spell-for in
moment more he joined Lily and
her convaleseing parent upon the
balcony.
after tenderly inquiring after Mr..
Vernon's health he turned to Lily
and asked if she would give him few
moments conversation in the Ii
brary.
Lily thought, of course, he wish
ed to be released from his troth and
preceded him to the library with a
petite dignity unequaled by any
movement of the tall and 9ueenly
Regina
But she was mistaken. 1t was to
the confession of penitent man
she had to listen, and she forgave
with such sweetness as brought new
love to the heart of her truant
lover.
Regina had been her own revela-
tor. The letter she had intended OF
send to Miss Malvern she had acci-
identally enclosed in the envelope
which was directed to Egbert, and
thus the whole plot was revealed,
with its intended consummation.
The tell tale letter was enclosed in
an envelope and sent to the writer,
who lett for home the next day,
thoroughly disgusted with the coun-
try and herself.
Regina is an old maid still, ever
fretfuI and disagreeable. But she
still attaches too high a value to her
self to care much for the affection of
any man, unless it is based on a
golden foundation.
Lily and Egbert still occupy the
lovely cottage in the mountain,
while Mr.. Vernon's heart is made
glad BY the music of little children's
voices, who play upon the lawn or
| in the garden, and make of his home
an Eden of love and happiness.