Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-22

companion. Happy because your sweet life
has been part Of mine, too-an' have been
have lost my sorrow by bein' successful in
maxim you the bright, dear child you are. But
last night the danger Of new sor-
row come upon me. I thought Of q
breakin up between us. thought
Of You led on to love this man, an then YOUR
heart broken like mine WAS II anythin like
that should happen agin should die for I
couldn't stand another shock. After all these
years OF study. growing happiness by dom and
carin' for you, dearie, the thought that your
young life might be in danger Of bein' ruined
made me tell you this l don't know nothin'
about Mr.. Hull. 1 don't want'r do him any
wrong, but don't lose your precious little heart,
and don't let him keep ssch study comply
with you Break this OF while you kin, dearie,
and now's the time"
Lucie was crying quite freely now, and 1t was
some time before she could say anything At
length she looked up and kissed her aunt. And
then she told her everything there was to be
told, how abe was very near the danger her
aunt feared, and how she would try and do az
her aunt wanted her.
The village clock struck the hour Of -, and
they both started up, exclaiming that it was the
hour for dinner and nothing had been prepared.
They returned home quickly as Aunt Mercy 8
feet could carry her, and soon they were eating
their midday meal, the happiest they had had
for some days
Mr.. Benedict Hull walked home to the hotel
in time for the o'clock meal served at that in
stitution. He was occupied with his thoughts
that he bumped right into the landlord and
very nearly sent him sprawling, much to that
gentleman's discomfort, he was q portly per
son. After making suitable apologies he went
into the dining room and ate his dinner. Hay-
ing finished the meal he went to the desk and
paid his bill up to the following morning
Then he retired to his room, and. getting out ~
sheet OF writing paper and an envelope, began
to write. He addressed the envelope first and
laid it aside. 1t took him some time<o start
his note. Twice he got nearly half through q
sheet and then tore it up. He sat and thought
and thought. Finally he seemed to hit upon
the right thing, and then he wrote it of,
put 1t in the envelope and started out of the
house. He had not gone far before he sud
denly returned to his room and sat awhile in
silence. Then he started out and took a walk,
returning at tea time. About s o'clock he went
to the post office and dropped the note in. As
be did SO sigh Of relief escaped him. Early
next morning Mr.. Benedict Hun was on his way
to New York and enjoying his cigar with the
air OF man who had done his duty in spite of
lnclinations to the contrary.
After breakfast Lucie brought home the mail
and there was a letter for her among its con-
tents. She opened it and read thus:
Dear Lucie: Yesterday morning I was
walking through the woods back of your house
preached the spot whence they came / recog-
nized yours and stopped a moment to listen.
heard my name mentioned, so l continued
standing where was not meaning to be an
eavesdropper, but having feeling of curiosity
to know what would be said about me. Thus
heard your aunt's touching story, and per-
ceived its application to me. l had never
meant to do you the slightest harm. and truly
did not realize the state of things which we're
really existing. But the touchi,g appeal that
lay hidden in the sad story of your aunt moved
me sadly. have resolved to 60 away tomor-
row that l may escape playing the part Of a
brute. as was unconsciously doing. When you
read this letter l shall be well on my way to
New York, and your sweet little home will
not be troubled by me any
more. God forbid that ever two
such beautiful lives should be blighted
by a serpent's sting. Begging your forgive
ness and that Of your noble aunt, and wishing
you, as you deserve. a future unimpaired in its
sweet serenity, am regretfully yours.
BENEDICT HULL"
Lucle read it twice, then carried it slowly in
to her aunt. She handed it to her without a
word and stole quietly to her room. She cried
little for few minutes, then realizing that
what had been done for the very best and
that she was still really heart whole she tripped
down stairs and went at her work And Aunt
Mercy. with a bright smile on her dear old face,
was to be seen out IN her garden watering the
sweet peas.