Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1894-03-08

culiar interest In the package were
three or four written while Newman
was away on business trip others
were written to her at mountain re-
sorts, Others still were nothing but
mere formal notes asking for an en-
gagement-all breathed the spirit of
love. She could understand his actions
even less as she read them, which she
did with marked eagerness. Out of the
confused tangle of odds and ends that
filled her cabinet sho searched for let
ters in Newmann's well known hand
writing. The letters had been tossed
in promiscuously and hidden from view
since
A bright, crisp, new-looking envel-
ope dropped from her fingers as she
drew out bundle, and, picking it up,
she examined it curiously. AS her
glance fell upon 1t the blood left her
face and her heart stood still 1t was
in her own handwriting addressed to
Newmann-hcr answer to his letter of
three years ago.
AS she sat there regarding it in bewil-
derment Mr.. Newmann's card was
handed to her.
No traces of agitation were visible
in Miss Braggs manner when she smil
ingly greeted Newman minute later.
He nervously shook hands. Miss Bragg
did not sit down. II believe we are to
walkP" she said, as if the matter was
OF so little Importance that she had al
most forgotten. Yes" h said getting
up hastily.
As they reached the sidewalk they
stopped undecided which way to go.
''It's nice walk out in the vicinity of
Jefferson Heights" Newman said,
hesitatingly. I'VE used to walk there
often, you remember" "Oh, no, not
Jefferson Heights" she said, as If the
place was not to be considered, ''its SO
stupid detest the place" She slow
ly set off in an opposite direction.
Newman walked silently beside her
for few moments, Presently he an
nounced the discovery that it was a
fine day for walking. Next he OBJ
served that the day was just like that
on which they had taken their last
walk together. This was followed by
another and longer pause, broke by
Newmann's question: "You remember
what a fine day it was, Miss Bragg?"
She made an effort to remember, knit
ting her brows and looking thoughtful.
Utterly failing to recall it, she excused
herself. "You see we walked together
more than once and the days were al
ways fine--I knew they were, because
| wouldn't have gone otherwise. And
then three years is too long to remem-
Der such thing as the state of the
weather."
After that Mr.. Newman evaded the
weather and that last walk as perilous
topics He talked about people, and
had the air of man who wanted bad
ly to talk of something else. He grew
nervous when Miss Bragg at last turned
round and faced homeward. The walk
had grown to be dull. Miss Bragg"
Newman said at last, "I'm going to
Europe in few days, and there's some-
thing want to ask you before l 60
If your answer is what l hope it will
be will not go. Why did you not an
swer my letter three years ago?" Miss
Braggs face assumed the expression Of
one who has an unpleasant something
to say. "Such letters are not easy to
answer" she said. Zone has to think
before replying. did write a letter to
you, but did not send it, thought
would wait-I thought could tell you
better" 'But you did not tell me-"
Newman burst out eagerly. "You did
not ask me-" she said, quite calmly.
Newman looked flushed and disap-
pointed. What did you write me?"
he asked as they walked on. Can you
guess?" she asked. His face showed
his disappointment "Oh, / guess l
know what it was" he said, bitterly,
'and it has caused me hours of anguish
and pain, nights Of sleerless unrest
Oh, Miss Bragg, you can't guess how
much it has cost me- l have seen no
pleasure, no peace, no rest. 1t will al
ways be the same. You will pardon
me for bothering you again, but had
hoped, after waiting three years and
seeing that there was no other man,
that you might change your answer.
could not go to Europe without asking
you"
They walked along in silence.
They were already within sight of Miss
Bragg's home. At the door he stopped
before her and asked, half implor
ingly: "Am to accept your answer as
fnal?" She nodded an affirmative
"Nly answer is final" she said. mis-:
Bragg" he said, tremulously, II car
never forget you. / shall think Of yor
: constantly while l am abroad. Tn
sorry to have caused you the pain of re
: jecting me second time. Good-by."
He held out his hand and took hers
in strong grasp. "Good-by, Mr.. New
mann," she said. II trust you viii
have pleasant trip abroad" "Thanl
you," he said. "Good-by." He gav'
r her last look and turned to go. "Mr
Newman, stop moment" she called
He walked back to her, his honest fac'
: flushed with pain. II am awfully sor
: ry," she said. believe l esteem yol
4 highly and regret that this has oc
4 Cured. Your letters--I want to return
: them. Wait moment till get them.
S you may burn" he started to say
' but she was gone.
t She found them just as she had lef
/ them in her cabinet. She picked then
up and evened their ends so as to max
: a square bundle. She tied the packag
t with small satin ribbon. Her Owl
letter lay on the cabinet. She piclSe'
e it up and held it undecisively for II mo
t mcnt Impulsively she tucked it be
. meath the ribbon with the rest
/ II think you will find all of then
a here" she said, handing him the pack
: age. "And happened to find my an
4 swer to your letter of three years age
/. You were curious TO know what ha
a written, so l put it in with your letters
: | Good hv ~