Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-04-12
THE LOST LOVE-LETTER.
How Jessie's Forgetfulness Nearly
Wrecked Two Lives.

and group OF children were scamperlng
all over the garden of suburban resi-
dence of New York.
Little girl, little girl" said voice
from the other side Of the hedge, will
you please do me a favor?'
Eyes sir, " replied the little maid.
'Now tell me, are you not visiting for
o few weeks at this house?"
''Yes, sir, am"-rather curiously
this time.
- hen, Of course, you know Miss
Ellsler, the governess?"
"Oh, yes, sir, she just went into the
house. Shall l tell her you want her?"
''Oh, no, but would you please give her
this letter?'
Certainly, sir; I'll take it right in to
her." and she was moving away.
mo, dear, don't do that; wait till she
comes into the garden-she will like it
better" he added, blushing very red, as
he turned away.
Now, little Jessie could not play tag
with letter in her hand, and as she
could not deliver it at once, began
thinking where she could put it for safe
keeping.
"Oh, there's a place" she thought,
and without more ado she squeezed it
under the loosened bark of an old elm
tree which grew close to the house and
returned to her game. Childish sports
have not usually an all-important i'm
preston on the affairs of their elders,
but that afternoons game of tag was
fraught with destiny, changing the cur
rents of two lives almost to their utter
ruin. for Jessie in the excitement of her
play forgot the letter entirely.
Miss Ellsler, the governess, had been
happy during the early part of the day,
even till late in the afternoon, but as
darkness fell and bedtime came heavi-
ness at the heart possessed her and she
was thankful when she found herself
alone in her room.
'Oh, birdie!" she cried, addressing the
only coniidante she had golden ca
nary, now quietly asleep-''he has broken
his word; he has not come. What shall
do? Must / live this drudgery all my
life, made doubly heavy by him? Oh,
why did he speak to me at all? He
lSne>. I was only governess. Why tell
me of his wealth and ambitions-whV
draw from me my story of daily humili-
alton if he had no comfort to offer?"
And all the while the leaves of an old
elm tree were brushing the mosquito
bars as if to say:
'Come play with us, we know
something; search our old trunk where
the bark is loose and find a reason why"
Let US accept the invitation and just
read the letter:
my OWN DARLING: May I call you so7
promised to let you hear from me to-day how
you could better yourself in the world, and I
think you must have guessed, dearest, the way
should suggest. If your life is half as burden
some as you say 1 entreat you to give me the
sweet JOY of ministering to your comfort Be
my wife and make me happy, as I shall strive
y make you. I hasten this avowal, as [ sail for
the South in a week or two, to be away many,
many years. Your No will be the death Of me.
Consider well, but let me hear not later than in
three days time of my great good fortune. If
No let your silence tell me; it would pain me
less In deepest love and anxiety, yours de-
votedly ROBERT HICKMAN"
A few days later at breakfast Miss
Ellsler dropped her knife and fork on
her plate and reeled senseless from her
chair to the floor when Mr.. haywood
read from the paper that Mr.. Robert
Hickman had sailed on the Cambria for
South America, to be absent many
years.
A doomed ship, battered and swept by
enormous waves, confusion everywhere,
in mems souls as in the air above them,
curses and prayers shrieks and cries,
all go to make up the terrible scene
which is taking place within few hum
bred yards from the Jersey shore.
Lower the boats! Lower the boatsl
Lively, ladsv shouts the captain. THE
women first!"
Only a gunshot from land, but what
open boat can live in such a sea?
However, the ship has struck on
reef, and every wave lifts her and
crashes her down, ripping the keel and
sides at every stroke.
In all the mad despair and rush for
the boats there stands one man who is
doing an angels work in preventing alb
solute panic Selling all.
The captain has noticed his quiet
speech but firm restraint, and can not
help remarking:
you are cool one; you have done
your share; now save yourself"
mo hurry" replies the stole; these
people love life-I don't Ihave nothing
left to live for"
Just then cheer goes up and the cry
OF hope is: The life-boat-the life
boatl Hurrahr'
Two of the ships boats have made the
shore within few feet when one fills
with water, half of the occupants getting
to shore, the others being lost
Tho ufe-boat loaded full, starts for
the beach, when the ship splits in two,
rolls over and disappears.
Give way, boys! we may find one OF
two yet" says the coxswain of the life
boat as, having landed their passengers,
they prepare for new errand of mercy.
As they bend to their oars one of the
men feels his strike something, and
glancing in the direction recognizes
man.
There's one; may be there's life in
him. Haul him aboard, lads; that's the
style. Why, bless my daylights if it
apt the chap that stood by the captain.
He's good 'un Give him drop. He's
got life in him yet"