Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-08
A CORRESPONDENCE.

"The managers Of St Jacobs hosp1fal solicit old newspapers and magazines for tho entertainment of their sick and con valescent.''
 In response to this advertisement in one of the most widely read newspapers in 5, there came daily to the above named in stitution a great variety of publications
 One day there appeared among the rest a newspaper with these words written up on the margin: T wish you very good morning and right speedy recoveryP' then the full address of the writer, Miss Louisa Lobstedt, North street. This greeting elioited few days later the fol- lowing answer:
 So there is really in the bright happy world outside one kind soul who has a thought to spare for us sick onesl I am the unfortunate one who has received your greeting and hope that your kind wish will soon be gratified and that time not very distant I shall leave this place entirely restored to health If you have ever been seriously i'll or have ever en- dured such pain as am now suffering, you will certainly heed the request of poor inva- lid and not rest satisfied with the few words of kindness which have made mo so happy. If there were only some congenial soul here to whom I could speak freely or with whom might chat little now and theni But just now there is no one here who can help to pass away the long, weary hours, and so beg you again not to let me hope in vain for an answer. In the meantime, with kindest regards, am, yours gratefully, BERTHA WILLMERs.
 In this way correspondence was begun which very soon developed into a most in- teresting one for both young ladies' It brought out lively interchange of thought. Letters flew back and forth, in which the two imparted to one another unreservedly their respective circum. stances and expectations.
 Louisa Lobstedt wrote her new friend that sho was quite alone in tho world; that she had a position, at small pay, in large confeetioner's shop, where, working from early morning until late at night, with only short rest at noon, she was quite tired out that her employer made such unreasonable demands upon his help that he was much disliked. She wrote that she had few acquaintances of her own age and no real friend, and she congratulated her self that she had conceived the idea of sending that greeting through the news- paper and putting her name to it, al though that last was rather risky. What if her address had fallen into wrong handsl She hoped also, she wrote in one of her later letters, some day to find time to visit Miss Bertha at the hospital and so to be- come personally acquainted with her.
 Bertha Willmers in the meantime re- piled to these letters in the same frank, hearty way. She wrote that her home was in H., and that three months before she had come to B. for the purpose of earning her living as teacher of music and tho languages. In tho course of few weeks she had fallen i'll, and, at her earnest re- quest, the people with whom she boarded had brought her here to the hospital. How happy it makes mo to think l am soon to see youl 1 do not doubt that we shall become the dearest friends, and yet am going to ask you to defer your visit for little while. And whya You will think mo foolish, vain. We'll call it Q feminine weakness and yet before my ill ness l was always being complimented upon my pretty, fresh, healthy looks and you can readily understand how five weeks of severe illness would change one. Who knows but you would be utterly disgusted with me when want so much to make as favorable an impression as possible upon my new found friend. Just as soon as am somewhat better and little moro like my old self will write you to come."
 A week later she imparted to Louisa the delightful news that she hoped very short ly to leave tho hospital entirely recovered. Her first visit would be to her dear new friend, but before she could do this she would have to make 0 very, very serious confession. Amid protestatiouJ of the deepest esteem and love on her own part sho begged Miss Louisa to promise her one thing in advance-viz, that, whatever the confession might be, shc would allow it to make no difference in their relations.
 Never was Bertha mere surprised in her life than at tho answer which followed immediately upon this. Thus it ran:
 My DEAR, DEAR Miss BERTHA-with a hand tremulous from anxiety and excitement write these lines, for either they begin for us both 8 now and happy life, or else all is over between us, and how can bear that God alone knows For, oh, let me confess it, I love youi Yes, I love you with all the fire, all the passion of my being. Following the impulse of a wanton hu- nor, appended to my name upon the news paper which a happy fate threw into your hands the little word 'Miss.'' continued the joke in my first letter, and by that time my interest in you had already become too great to allow me to confess the truth which would not only put an end perhaps to the correspond ence which had become necessary to me. but would also debar me from ever meeting you face to face. Ah. my dear Miss Bertha, do not be angry with me. do not cast scornfully from you the deep, fervent love which fills my heart Externally yours, LOUIS LoBsTEDT
 In a fever of anxiety he awaited an an- swer from the woman whom he had de- ceived. It came on the following day and ran thus:
 DEAR SIR-Unfortunately cannot spare you the disappointment which these lines will cause you, as they will show you that not withstanding the deep affection you feel for me, can never be yours. Like you, out of tender regard for the weaker sex also took refuge in little subterfuge. Hoping for a personal acquaintance in the near future, am most cordially yours,
 BERTHoLD WILLMERs. From the German For Romance
 Walter Paters Pleasant Ways.
 Those who think of him as solemn