The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-10-29
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1885.

|
as she came to the door to see them
off.
There was just wind enough TO
lift the newly fallen snow and send
it in little whirls to lie sparkling
and glisrening few yards from
where it had fallen. Robin was in
excellent spirits, aud Mr.. Allen de-
clared, as he drew up in front of the
village postoffice, that the distance
never seemed 50 short.
"Draw the robes close around
you, darter, and don't get tired
waiting, I've got to bargain with
Sam Cease about that stove, but I'll
be back as quick as | eau; then
we'll drive to Burham's aud get
that book you mentioned" With
this and an extra pull to Robins
blanket aud he was gone.
"FatheT was right, the old sleigh
is more comfortable than the new
One," Elizabeth thought as she
nestled down in one corner, draw.
ing the robe more closely to keep
out the puffs of wind that tried to
find entrance at all corners. While
tucking the robe between the cush-
ion and the side of the sleigh her
fingers touched something smooth
like paper.
"One of fathers old receipts, he's
SO careless," she thought. with IA
fond smile, as she drew it forth for
inspection. But a glance was need
ed TO show her mistake.
1t was little yellow with age,
unopened and addressed to herself
in the handwriting she knew so
well. She could scarcely trust her
eyes, but there was the familiar
pOstmark San FIancisco-and she
was just leaning forward to read
the date when q gust of wind, TAX
ing it from her hands, deposited 1t
at the feet OF a gentleman who was
passing.
She dared not look up, but in a
moment he was handing it to her,
saying:
''Is this your property, Miss AL
lenp
At the sound of the voice, so lit
tie changed that she would know it
anywhere, the hot blood rushed to
her face aud she had scarcely cour-
age to reply:
81 think so. 1 never saw it be-
fore"
She felt the keen eyes search her
face, there was IA touch OF scOrn in
the question that followed.
at is an old letter addressed to
you, and you never saw 1t before ~
She felt that she must vindicate
herself, and her answer came full
and clear:
81 Just found it in the old sleigh.
| do not know how long it has lain
there"
He glanced again at the letter;
it must DO the same Que ; he knew
the date so well. The tone was al
most eager nOw."
"YOu never saw it before, Beth 7
You did not receive it, my last let
ter, aud leave it unanswered r.
''COuld you doubt me, Will ~
She was looking him in the face
now.
~ might have known better, but
you were always so puuctual, aud
when | received no answer to my
last letter | was too proud to write
aud ask an explanation. Thought
you had given me up, like every
one else in B. Can you forgive
me for my want of confidence ~
But he needed not words for an an
swer.
When Mr.. Allen came hurrying
back the old sleigh had two occu-
pants. 1t was some time before
they could explain affairs to his
bewildered mind, but when light
began to dawn he exclaimed:
sit was that Jim he's so care
less lost a letter for me onceW
Will was persuaded to accOmpa-
ny them home, and it was a very
merry party that surprised Mrs,
Allen by their early appearance.
As soon as possible Mr. Allen
hurried his wife off to the kitchen
to unravel the mystery, while Will
aud Elizabeth read and re-read the
old letter by the light of the hlcko-
ry fire..
What Ruth Miller wonld say was
a source of much anxiety to Mrs.
Allen, until Will one day remarked.
much to her peace of mind, that
Ruth had been engaged tO-a friend
of his in the west-a gentleman she
met some years before while visit.
ing IN tue city.
The house upon the bill Will aud
'Lizabeth both call home, aud the
old yellow sleigh-well, as Mrs.
Allen says, it's not every sleigh
that can boast of u romance like
that.
uCan YOU tell me what kind of