The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-04-03
A DELAYED LETTER.


She was full of business, this little
girl, as with half closed eyes she stood
ON the curb opposite the postuiice, q
stamp poised on her tongue, which she
was about to afiix to the envelope she
held in her hand.
But as she deliberately nipped it be-
tween finger and thumb by one corner,
at the same time tightly shutting both
eyes as though such performance in
some mysterious way facilitated the
operation, lady came along accom-.
panied by q huge dog, which audaciuus-
ly waved its thick, bushy tail right /
athU art the little maids face causing
her TO Jump backward into the gutter
with a surprised scream.
Her alarm was Immediately increased
10 terror at missing the STAMP, which |
she next observed floating away attached |,
70 the maiestic caudal appcndare
She fcebly started i'm pursuit but as
she neared the formidable animal the
object of her quest became transferred
TO the ladv's Jacket. and before she could
reach her side il had dropned on the
pavement, whence it was instantly car.
ried away on the sole of the boot of
passerbv.
After n LONG homeless stare the little
I ,,,,, .,,r,,od ,o,,,d ,,or,,,sl,, f,,,I,I;,c,
the envelope. and retracing her steps till
She regained the corner of a side street
she sat down on doorstep and INDUCED
in a good crv.
Her wailings speedily attracted a
small group of people about her, to
whom. after some persuasion, she sob.
bed out her misfortune, which was fatty
discredited by the majority, and those
who apparently believed her only mani
tested their sympathy in empty words.
After some time, however, a philan-
thropic old gentleman passed, who, on
learning the source of the child's grief,
promptly bestowed a couple of pennies
upon her, with which she flew to the
postoifice, purchased another stamp, and
/ keeping a sharp lookout against the in
trusion of any more filibustering tails
secured it to the envelope, which she
carefully covered with both hands till
she dropped it into the box.
1t was now safe, and she visibly
| frightened, alas happily unconscious
that she had lost post and thereby be-
came the involuntary agent of woe and
| desolation to two fond hearts.
"You are sure there is nothing for
me?" said young Cyril Stanley for the
third time as with male face and agitat-
ed frame he breathlesslv Intercepted
the rural letter carrier the next morn
ing.
"Ouite certain. sir You can look
them over if YOU like" returned her
maiestv's subiect peniallv extending
his bundle.
.'No thanks - he reioined brusouelv.
and turripo, ON his boel with clincbed
hands and a wild look in his ewes. ne
started off at a fast pace through the
Acids. crossing stiles, floundering into
bitches and steppinp right through the
roaring waters of a shallow brook in the
most aimless and haphazard sort of way.
"And this is NV rewardr' he mutter.
ed brokenly. "Sbe does not love me.
after all No. A penniless suitor is sci.
dom acceptable. Ha. HAP, and he lauph-
ed bitterly. recklessly.
An hour later he sneaked through
the side door of n stately mansion stand
ING in its own grounds. and after chang.
ing his saturated boots and muddy
clothes proceeded To the library 70 be
in attendance ON a red faced. cholerio
looking old gentleman who was busily
writing letters.
= ooh, here YOU are at last, scape.
, gracerr calculated the latter in a furi-
GUS tone as the young man entered.
"Where have you been? Always away
when want YOU. Now, them
The young fellow meekly seated him.
self at the table without answering and
began writing from the others dicta.
! tion
"Have YOU made M YOUR mindY"
fiercely interposed the old gentleman
in the midst of an important letter.
Eyes, uncle"
Late in the afternoon the family car
; riage conveyed both gentlemen into
town, where a prodigious Quantity of
baggage had preceded them.
Stopping in the main street, the elder
of the two alighted and, motioninp his
companion to remain, darted ND mar
row court He was not long away. and
as he reseated himself he gruffiy asked
do you know what have been do:
ipg?''
mo, uncle" answered the Young
man in a subdued tone.
Deposited my will with the solicitor.
have made YOU NV heir. But if Won
had thwarted me and remained behind
I'd have cut you off with a shilling.