Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-08-25

has limited to me of the brilliant match
she expects to make in autumn, so I'm
dumb, of course. Now that / have
freed my mind to you, I have one re-
quest TO make. When / see you, don t
speak of her to me. could not bear
it. Cupid's arrow, of which we have
tested so much, has struck me deeply.
&c. A."
He folded it compactly, placed it in
his pocket, intending to add the en-
velope at the house. He hastened
seeing it was short cut across the
orchard.
As he passed one of the trees he saw
Macy s letter lying on the grass. There
was no address, and only the signature
IN" As the pages slipped in his
hand he caught sight of his own name.
Could human nature Withstand the
temptation to read? He read just the
part concerning himself. He sat down
on the grass to think. Shouldn't
dare !" he repeated. THAT means, Of
course, she is not at liberty, even if
she were inclined.
"There is but one NJ. among us, and
so it must be Macy. And to think
she is sometimes afraid of me don't
wonder / must be ferociousl y cross
some days. l have to be stern in or
der to keep myself well in hand.
She's silly I'll find 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 1 must carry it to her.
He placed it in his pocket and
walked on. Then a thought occurred
70 him. "She will miss it and come
here to look for it. will leave it and
she need not know l have seen it.
He retraced his steps, took the let
ter from his pocket and replaced 1t
on the grass. Had he examined lit
tie closer he would have seen 1t 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 a postscript.
When she opened it she saw it was not
hers. She looked for the signature.
II read c. A. There is only one c. A.
among us-it must be Mr. Ashby's.
She resolutely closed her eyes to the
temptation to read it and started to
find him. He was ont in hammock.
81 lost letter this morning, she
began. confusedly, "and when went
to look for it found this. ] thought
if was mine at first, but see it Is
signed c. A. Is it yours?'
He took it and recognized 1t.
Yes, it is mine; but yours?' He
suddenly put his hand in his pocket
end drew out hers.
"Whyl That's mine Where did
you geti
81 found it and meant to bring it to
YOU. Then l decided to carry it back,
and i suppose l must have put mine
there by mistake. "
He looked distressed. Each began
to wonder if the other had read any
part Of it.
81 did not read yours, said Macy
in a tone which carried conviction
with it.
"Well, 1 shall confess to you if you
hang me for it. I caught sight Of my
name and l read just that part of it
no more. I'm sorry" Macy looked
astonished.
"Well You saw what a going over l
have given you and she laughed
merriIy.
Eyes, but you needn't be afraid Of
me, Miss Reeves. Now 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 a moment, as
lif irresolute then she said: "Mr.
Ashby, don't send it.
"Why not? 1t is truth
"No, it isn't either. l am not en-
gagged to make match with anybody =
Then what did your aunt say that
70 me for? Was it to prevent me from
irving to win you, Macy? tell me now
Have I 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 vou any more" she snid, with
charming bushes. 81 do care for
Won but I never suspected you cared
for me-
"Now you know, ne said
Eyes. May l keep the letter?' she
asked a little timidly.
eyes, if you care for it. ] shall
write very different one 10 my friend
now. Chicago News.
Use for the PeIicans Pouch.