The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-01-31
THE LOST LETTER.

me If | denied the intention; so l gave
him my name, and that evening found
the mirror my exclusive property.
Like most old bachelors, was fond of
adorning my furnished apartment with
things of my own. A curious clock had
been the object of my visit to the auction
rooms; and now that had the mirror,
wondered that l had not really offered
bid for 1t. 1t was a mantel mirror, long
and low, with frame about which Loves
and Graces were apparently playing at
tag. The glass was fine, and the gliding
was good, but I noticed that its back
wasa little loose in the frame, sad taking
the precaution of putting in a few brads
before | hung it, / dislodged an article
that had slipped down between the glass
and the frame. It was a letter, in a deli
cate envelope, directed, stamped and still
sealed with drop of green wax stamped
with a lotus flower Evidently it had
never been opened. The writing, in that
pale ink which ladies affect, had become
almost unreadable; but 1 finally discov-
cred that II was addressed to Mr.. Dudley
Whitmore.
1t was easy to imagine how it had got
into the place whence had taken it.
Who ever knew servant who did not
use mirror as letter. rack the moment
it was loose enough in its frame2 But
whether it was an important letter, which
should be delivered to its owner if posi-
bic, or merely some note of invitation
that had had its day, it was quite impos-
sible to guess.
In the course OF the next morning
called on the auctioneer, who referred me
to the person who had placed the things
in his hands for sale. He could only tell
me that they came from an old hotel
which was about 10 be torn down, the site
having been disposed of for certain car
stables, and that he never heard of Dudley
Whitmore, who had probably been
transient guest at the hotel. looked in
the directory; there was no such name to
be found there, and the letter Was, by
its postofiee stamp, five years old. I
did not feel that that gave me any right
to open it; but it was possible that l
might meet or hear of Mr.. Dudley Whit
more, and put it away, in order that, if
this ever happened, might produce it.
Two years passed however, and had
never heard the name; and yet, when I
went upon my trip to Europe-my first,
and naturally most interesting one-I
took Mr.. Whitmore's letter with me-
Who knew but that might meet him
abroadi
It was in the little village of Ville-le-
Bel, near Paris, that one day found my
self among the worshipers in the church
of Saint Didier, upon some day deemed
especially holy.
A great many English visitors were
present, and among them a beautiful
young lady, attended by little brown
servant-maid in a tall white cap and ear
rings, listened intently to the music. She
was very graceful, very elegantly
dressed, and very charming, but she was
also very pale, aud as the crowd in
creased and the air grew heavier, she
grew still paler, until finally 1 heard the
maid utter little cry, and found that
the Indy had tainted She was very
near me, and, with the assistance of the
maid, managed to carry her through
the erQwd to the fresh air. There shere-
covered, and, though still very weak,
was able to walk. I inquired how best
I could render assistance, and finding
that she lived only little distance from
the church, offered my arm and recon-
panied her to the door of her home.
An old gentleman, sitting under the
trees in his little garden, with volume
of Racine in his hand, arose and came
forward to meet US. He sympathized
with The young lady, admonished the
maid 10 take hsr at once to her mamma,
and thanked me with many bows and
hourishes. We exchanged cards The
next iiay 1 called to inquire for made
moiselle, and was greeted as though 1
were sn old friend; in fact, became an
intimate of the cottage, and soon learned
the history Of the inmates The old gen
tlemml was NJ Yernet, the second hus-
band OF the young lady's mother Both
ladies were country women. The
younger bore the name of Lefty Linnet
l should have thought it some ones
rather affected nom de plume, had + not
known its owner. But she, though rath-
er romantic, very delicate, and not by
any means what / had hitherto believed
to be my feminine ideal, was so pure and
lovely so mysteriously charming, that l
admired even her name.
4 WIS attracted to her as I never yet
had been to any girl, and it was not long
before 1 knew that must let her know
it. Many happy hour did l spend in
the little arbor under the trees, or IN the
garden rich with roses, or the parlor,
where Lefty sang to US to the accompani-
ment Of her stop-father's guitar, before
summoned courage or found opportunity
to speak to her; but at last the chance
came
There was a fine old castle in the
neighbood with which historical assocIa-
tons were connected. l cannot remem-
Der what they were; but it had immense
grounds about it, where the public were
permitted TO ramble One afternoon,
having had the good fortune to lose the
dulldDAc MOlsieuI anu Hldudihc ftfutt III
the course Of our walk, induced Lefty
to seat herself with me upon bench be-
side an old fountain, and there told her
all felt and hoped. She listened to me,
leaving her hand in mine; but when
had ceased to spead she seemed to hesi-
tate for while, and then spoke, gently:
'sBefore answer you, Mr. Deering,
ought TO tell you something. You say
that you have never loved before. I
have.
She sighed as she spoke, but when
took her hand in mine again she did not
forbid me-
''If that love is a thing of the past,
said, "why should it matter. Is it,
She once more hesitated, lifted her
eyes to mine, cast them down again and
answered:
~ cannot say
''Do you mean that you do not wish
TO say2' asked
"No, she replied. "Under the cir
cumstance ought to be perfectly candid