Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-12-04

dOn'U speak OF nor TO me. cOulu MOI
bear it. 'Cupid's arrow, of which we
have TESTED SO much, has struck me
deeply. &c. A."
He folded it complacently, placed it
in his pocket, intending to add the
envelope at the house. He fastened,
seeing it was a short cut across the
orchard.
AS he passed one of the trees he
saw Mary's letter lying on the grass.
There was no address, and only the
signature I'M" AS the pages slipped
in his hand he caught sight of his own
name. Gould human nature with
stand the temptation to read? He read
just the parts concerning himself. He
sat down on the grass to think.
ssShouldn't dare!' he repeated" That
means, of course, she is not at liberty,
even if she were inclined.
sThere is but one M among us, and
SO it must be Macy. And to think she
sometimes afraid of me! I don't
wonder! I must be ferociously cross
some days. I have to be stern in or
der to keep myself we'll in hand.
She's 'silly!' I'll find a way to dis
possess her of that idea. To me she
is the wisest woman in the world.
Well, she has evidently lost this here
and must carry it to her."
He placed it in his pocket and walk
ed on. Then a thought occurred to
him. ssShe will miss it and come here
to look for it. I will leave it and she
need not know I have seen it,"
He retraced his steps, took the let
ter from his pocket and replaced it
on the grass. Had he examined a lit
tie closer he would have seen it was
his own letter he had placed there.
He was right in his conjecture. He
met Macy, who was on her way to
search for it. She returned to her
room and decided to add postscript.
When she opened it she saw it was
not hers. She looked at the sigma
ture. 1t read @. A. There is only one
@. A. among us-it must be Mr.. Ash
by's. She resolutely closed her eyes
to the temptation to read it and start
ed to find him. He was out in ham
mock.
''I lost a letter this morning." she
began, confusedly, "when 1 went to
look for it found this. I thought it
was mine at first, but see it is signed
@. A. Is it yours?"
He took it and recognized it.
eyes, it is mine; but yours?" He
suddenly put his hand in his pocket
and drew out hers.
"Why! That's mine! Where did you
get it?''
stI found it and meant ito bring it to
you. Then decided to carry it back,
and / suppose I must have put mine
there by mistake
He looked distressed. Each began
to wonder if the other had read any
part of it.
ssI did not read yours" said Macy,
in a tone which carried conviction
with it.
"Well, shall confess to you if you
hang me for it. I caught sight of my
name and I read just that part of it
no more. Pm sorry" Macy looked
astonished.
''Well, you saw what going over
have given you," and she laughed |
eyes, but you needn't be afraid of
me, Miss Reeves. Now 1 am going to
ask you to do me a favor. Will you
read mine, here and now? 1t is you
mean all the way through" He gave
her the letter and she began to read.
She finished, paused moment, as
irresolute; then she said: "Mr. Ash
by, don't send it''
sWhy not? 1t is the truth!'
''No, it isn't either! I am not en-
gagged to match with anybodyn
ssThen what did your aunt say that
to me for? Was it to prevent me from
trying to win you, Macy! tell me
now! Have any chance with you?
Let that letter speak for me.'' He
took her hands in his own.
"Well-if you won't make me afraid
of you any more," she said, with
charming bushes. 81 do care for you
but never suspected you cared for
me.'
ssNow you KNOW" he said.
eyes. May keep the letter." she
asked, little timidly.
eyes, if you care for it. I shall
write a very different one to my
friend now''
Specimen Cases.