The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1894-03-22

same since her death; he was even
then gradually pining away. But to
return to the letter 1t was at twilight
on a winters day that it was handed
to me. L sat down by the window
and broke the seal, wondering all the
while at the strange handwriting. I
can remember every word now with
out reading them again, for that dull
February day they burned themselves
into my brain in words of fire.
Ny DEAR MISS DEvEN:
You will wonder who this stranger
is that takes the liberty to address you.
When you have finished this letter
your wonder viii be changed, perhaps
to anger, perhaps to pity; but, OH l
pray it may be the latter!
Have you ever loved any one dearly
and seen them gradually fade away?
Knowing that you, by one act, have it
in your power to save them from death,
would you have hesitated to do that
one thing, no matter what 1t was? My
husband and my children have one by
one lyeen taken from me- [ have only
daughter left. I see her pining day
by day, but L cannot-cannot let her
go. One thing am sure will save her.
She loves and is loved in return, and it
is the unfulflment of that love that
makes her waste away.
You will say, What has all this to do
with me? This, this, [ answer: She
loves Robert Carey, and is loved by
him. But he considers himself bound
to you by an engagement made before
he had seen the world, or the women
III it. Do you care to retain the sem
blance of a love that is hollow? viii
you not, to save three people from
wretchedness, make the sacrifice re-
quired OF you? And, after all, it will
not be such sacrifice. Better give
him up now, of your own free will and
generosity, than marry him, to have
him grow colder and colder every day.
Oh, do it-do. it, Save my child, and
the blessings / will call down on you
from heaven will surely bring other
happiness into your life.
Grant the prayer Of mother who
would save her one treasure from the
grave. CAROLINE Span.
p. S.-Of course they know nothing
of all this; if you ever let Robert
know why you break your engagement
the sacrifice will be useless, he will
not accept it. I will write again and
tell you all the happiness that your
great generosity has brought, for | am
sure you will not refuse. c. 5.
Months afterwards came this third
letter that | held in my hand. | had
never opened it. 1t was from Mrs
Span, and I meant, some day, when |
I
was old and calm, and could stand it.
to open this letter and read Of the JOY
my act had brought. Bnt, heavens :.
what are its contents? What are the
ioys of which 1 expected to read?
My DEAR Miss DEvEN:
Thank you, thank you for your gen
erosity; but, alas! it was OF little
avail Perhaps l made mistake III
thinking that Mr. Carey cared for my
daughter. At all events, the time was
short, and he did not, or could not,
tell her. She is dead. can write no
more. God bless you.
CAROLINE span.
The wind, weary Of moaning, dies
down; the serf beats clearly and dis
tinctly on the sand; the moon comes
ont and casts her soft radiance DER
sea and land. All is still but my heart.
What had | done? ! am back again,
ten wears ago. down by the little wick
i
et-oote. The moon isup, but she is
not my only companion; leaning over
the gate, looking up so lovingly into
my face, is Robert.
Had expected too much from ms
undemonstrative character? L think
nv head will burst if stay in this house
T will walk down again to the same
little gate. / forget, as | pass through
the halls, that this is not still my Ia
theirs house. 1t is ten years ago. Inc
gate is reached, l lean over IT, An!
am not alonel "Ellenl how soft
and low the words sound! VIII sun
keep up the illusion and pretend 1t IS
| Robert.
"Robert, have You come at last?
have waited so long.
"Ellen, what do | hear?