The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-03-30
THE LOVE LETTER.

They had beeu boarding tOgethe
at the farm, Jane Heth aud Ami
Couyers; and all that autumn MI
Craig had been fishing and shoot
ing in the vicinity, and making tn
farm, which was renowned for it
good fare, his headquarters. MI
Craig was handsome and dashin;
young widower, and Jane Heth hat
made up her mind that to be Mrs
Jane Craig was her destiny. In
deed, it might have been, for perse
verance can accomplish wonders
bad not Annie Conyers brought
her trunks, her crOCheting, heI
sketchbook aud her blue parasol 10
| the farm for the summer.
Annie was not prettier, nor
younger, nor better dressed, nor
more accomplished than Jane; but
IA man loves one woman aud does
not love another, and who can ex-
plain why9 Among those hills and
ON that lake the Colonel gave his
heart to little Annie aud she gave
hers to him.
But on the day that called him
home nothing had been said that
could have been construed into an
engagement; but he had asked her
if he might write 10 her, and sue
had said, "Yes," and Jane had
heard the request and the permis-
sion.
Three days had passed since the
ColonePs departure, aud one morn
ing Jane stood leaning over the
gate when a wagon drove up the
road and stopped by the side OF it a
moment. From beneath its covers
peeped the white head of an old
farmer.
''Goed evenin', MISS" said he.
"l've beon to The postoffice, and
they said there was letters for Will
toms folks, and l fetched 'em over.
Amt got my glasses with me, so
don't know who they're writ to, but
you can see. All well3 That's
right. Good evenin'p
And away he drove, leaving Jane |
with two letters in her hand, one |
for herself, and one Tor Annie Con-
yels, from Mr.. Craig.
"And am l to give it to her." |
muttering between her teeth-"l."
And then, with an impulse that
seemed to her unconquerable, she |
hurried away to wood, hiding
both letters in her pocket. Atleast
she would delay her rivals happi-
ness; she wOHid not carry it to her
at once. Then alone IN the green
shadow she took the letter from her
pock ct and looked long and curious.
~ at the su1ersc iption. Yes, il
was from Craig, and what had be
saidi Could she but read what be
had written, she would know. She
took q pin from her dress and dew
it along the edge of the envelope.
1t opened little space, but the rest
clung as closely as before. Impa-
tient at this she forgot all prudence
and drew the pin across tue paper
with sudden push. 1t cut It's way
through aud nov the mischief was
done.
James heart beat hard and las;
with terror, but soc had gone TOO
far TO stop.
IL shall know the TRUTH" she
said, "and letters are always being
lost 10 these country pOstO6lces. I'll
read it since I've torn it." Then
she pulled away the envelope.
spread the sheet of paper on her
knee aud read the following wo' ds:
Dear Miss CORyerS 1t seems odd
that a man of thIrty-tive should be
afraid to stand face to face with a
glrl OF twenty, aud tell her that be
loved her; but | could not summon
courage to do SO, nor to ask the
question that follows such a con.
Iession. So, far from you, CON-
nit my hopes to this paper, aud
having in plain words SAID 1 love
you, ask you 10 palmer words still.
Do you love me enough ts be my
wlfef If you do, write me at once,
pray, and make me the happiest
man on earth by telling me so. II
you do not, then pain neither OF Us
By a refusal; simply leave my let
ter unanswered. eau bear Il bet
ter so. But l shall pray tor the
Ietter, for / love you better than
my life. HARRY CRAIG.
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