Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-03-01
The Love Letter.

They had been boarding together at
the farm, Jane Heth and Anne Con.
yers and all that autumn Mr.. Craig
had been fishing and shooting in the
vicinity, and making the farm, which
was renowned for its good fare, his
headquarters.
Mr.. Craig was a handsome and dash.
ing young widower, and Jane Heth had
made up her mind that to be Mrs.
Craig was her destiny. Indeed it might
have been for perseverance can accom-.
pllsh wonders, had not Annie Conyers
brought her trunks, her crocheting, her
sketch. book and her blue parasol to the
farm for the summer.
Annie was not prettier, nor younger,
nor better dressed, nor more accomplish.
ed than Jane but a man loves one wo-
man and does not love another, and
who can explain why2 Among those
hills and on that lake the Colonel gave
his heart to little Annie and she gave
hers to him.
But on the day that called him home
nothing had been said which could have
been construed into an engagement /;
but he had asked her if he might write
to her, end she said, "Yes, and Jane
had heaId the request and the permis.
sion.
Three days had passed since the COL
onel's departure, and one morning Jane
stood long over the gate when wagon
drove up the road and stopped by the
side Of it moment. From beneath its
cover peepel the white head Of an old
farmer.
Good evein', Miss" said he. "I've
been to the post office, and they said
there WAS letters for Wilton's folks, and
l fetched EN- over. Amt got my glass
es with Inc, so l don't know who they
ar writ to, but you can see. All well ?
That's right. Good eyein'."
And away he drove, leaving Jane
with two letters in her hand, one for
herself and one for Annie Conyers,
from Mr.Craig.
"And am to give it to her. mutter-
ed Jane, between her teeth-"I.'
"And then, with an impulse that
seemed unconquerable he hurried
away to a wood, hiding both letters in
her pocket. At least she would delay
her rival happiness she would not
carry it to her at once. Then alone in
the green shadow she took the letter
from her pocket and looked long and
curiously at the superscription. Yes, it
was from Craig and what had he said
Could she but reak what he bad wnt
ten, she would know. She took a pin
from her dress and drew 1t along the
edge Of the envelope 1t opened lit.
tie space, but the rest chung as closely
as ,efore. Impatient at this she forgot
all prudence and drew the PIN across
the paper with sudden push. 1t cut
its way through and DOW the mischief
WAS done.
James heart beat hard an fast with
terror, but she had gone too far to at
tempt to stop.
II shall know the TRUTH she said,
land letters are always being lost in
these country post offices, III read 1t
since I've torn it.
Then she pulled away the envelope,
spread the sheet of paper on her knee
and read the following words:
DEAE Miss CoNYERs 1t seems
odd that man Of 80 should be afraid
to stand face to face with girl of 20,
and tell her that he loves her but |
could not Summon courage to do So nor
ask The question that follows such a
confession. So far from you ! commit
my hopes to this paper, and having in
plain words still-Do you love me
enough to be my wife? If YOU do,
write to me at once, I pray, and make
me the hanpiest man on earth by telling
me so. If you don't, then pain neither
OF us by IL refusal simply leave my let
tor unanswered. l can bear 1t better
30. But | shall pray for the letter, for
love you better than my life.
HARRY CRAIG.
Jane drew a deep breath.
80 it has gone as far as this, she
said.