The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-18
THE LOST LOVE-LETTER
How Jessie's FOrgetfulness Nearly
Wrecked Two Lives.

Lag, lag, ag, IN quick sue.
cession from number of tiny throats,
and group of children were scampering
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 favor?'
eyes, SIR" replied the little maid.
"Now tell me, are you not visiting for
Q few weeks at this house?"
eyes, sir, I am"-rather curiously
this time.
'Ihen, Of course, you know Miss
Ellsler, the governess?"
''Oh, yes, sir, she just went into the
house. Shall tell her you want her?"
ooh, 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.
ooh, there's 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.
'Qh, birdie!" she cried, addressing the
onNy confidante she had-a 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
knew l was only governess. Why tell
me of his wealth and ambitions-whv
draw from me my story of daily humii-
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 d play with us, we know
something; search our old trunk where
the bark is loose and find reason why"
Let US accept the invitation and just
read the letter:
my OWN DARLING: May I call you sol I
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, entreat you to give me the
sweet joy of ministering to your comfort. Be
my wife and make me happy. as I shall strive
= make you hasten this avowal as sail for
the South in 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. II
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
dred yards from the Jersey shore.
Lower the boats! Lower the boatsl
Lively, lads!" shouts the captain. 1.-THE
women frstr'
Only gunshot from land. but what
open boat can live in such sea?
However, the ship has struck on q
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 abb
solute panic selling all.
The captain has noticed his quiet
speech but firm restraint, and can not
help remarking:
You are a cool one; you have done
your share; now save yourself
NO 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
ooat Hurrah!"
Two of the ships boats have made the
ore within few feet when one fills
l'h water, half of the occupants getting
70 shore. the others being lost.
Inc ufe-boat loaded full, starts for
ene beach, when the ship splits in two.
rolls over and disappears.
Tive way boys! we may find one OF
Two yet" says the coxswain of the life
uoaV as having landed their passengers,
'ney prepare for new errand of mercy.
AS tney bend to their oars one of the
nieh reels his strike something, and
man.
There's one; may be there's life in
s+rl. maui him aboard, lads; that's the
a;s. 800 Why bless my daylights if IL
~ 'ne chap that stood by the captain.
~. good 'un- Give him drop. He's
got life in him yet"