Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-08-21
A Letter That Came at Last
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.


Regina Ransen, having listened to
the post Dan's whistle coming up the
street, anl hearing his step leave the
next pavement, suddenly slipped her feet
out of ker pretty satin slippers and glided
down the stairs between her bedroom and
the lover hall in her stockings, holdin g
her robe so that no sound of its iounceS
might be heard against the balustrade.
Iheard him say he would write to her, "
she whispered, between her white teeth,
CLEAN of jealousy in her large, black
eyes, aud frowa upon her brow which
spoiled her face, regular as were its fea-
lures. 81 heard him, and l will know
wha. he writes-I will know"
Bending over the lettcr-bOx, she stood
wiiting-listening.
The po.tmau's step advanced, his
whistle sounded, letters dropped into
the box, and he was of again.
The next instant, whatever he had
let was in Miss Rlmsen's hand, in her
pocket, aud she was running upstairs
again.
Half way up she met another glrl-a
young thing of seventeen, with faxen
hair, blue eyes, slender waist, lips like
iacque roses, aud a skin Of that pure,
healthy, creamy tint, more beautiful
than the highest color.
II hearl the postmau, Regina, she
sad, with laugh.
80 did |, B,ssie," reptile the bru-
nct.c, "bus there is no letter in the
box"
"Oh. am sure he whistled here, -
Bessie answered, aud went on aul peeped
into the box.
She returned disappointed.
"Hc said he would write"-shc whis-
pere1 to herself--'he said he would
write"
Her chin quivered with disappoilt
meat, her eyes grew heavy. She would
not cry, but she greatly desired to do
so.
'Ah, well, there are more mails TO-
day." she said, and settled down to her
sewiag-wor& for her Cousin Regina
Regina was always having new dresses
made. Poor little Bessie, the poor re-
lation Of the family, was seldom with
out a needle iu her hand in consequence.
It was very rarely that she had a new
dress OF her own.
Happily she was so fresh aud pretty,
that the simple little frOcks that were
now and then given her, muslius bought
by her aunt at bargain counters, or cheap
woolens selling off out of season, were
all becoming.
Regina, with her grand air, had some
times condesceaded to tell her so in the
first days of her presence in the Remsen
residence, but Of late, to the astonish-
ment Of the stately cousin and the stout
aunt, others had observed the fact.
Roy King, who was not only the most
eligible match in the Remsen social
circle, but very charming fellow beside,
had been altogether too attentive to poor
little Bessie of late.
They had fingered on the balcony to-
ccther, and Regina had heard whisper,
which had set her to watching the letter
box as we have seen.
Now behind her locked door, she held
in her hand the proof that she was not
mistaken. A letter on the paper Roy
always used, and bearing his seal, ad-
dressed to Miss Bessie Benton"
For a moment Regina held it in her
hand and hesitated, One may go to
State prison for breaking the seal OF a
letter addressed to another. But Regina
argued that no one would ever know.
That all was fair in love and war.
"Who knows what the little sly-boots
may be up to, she said to herself; she
was devoted to me before mamma asked
her here. And il she is casting her nets
for him, must know it," Then she
cut the edge OF the letter very carefully
with tiny, pearl-han lied knife, and
the letter lay open before her. She read
"DEAR BEssrE-May l call you so?
have trie TO tell you how felt 10 you so
often. but there seems no opportunity for
me on your aunt's reception evenings.
''On THURSDAY, unless you send me word
not to come, shall call on you par rsicuiarly
caDnot endure this sus pcnse much longer
'sYours Devoteily, ROY KING"
Regina read this letter twice, flashing
with wrath as she did so.
Then thrusting it in her pocket again,
she few across the hall to her mothers
room, and shutting the door, locked it
behind her, much to that lsdy's aston
isamcnt.
'sYou startle one so" said Mrs. Ram
sen, who vas trying Oh new frizcttc at
the mirror. ''RealIy, you shoali cuIti-