Connecticut western news., 1897-02-04
CANAAN, CONN. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1897.

with hope deferred. The next day came and went and heard nothing. The sun sank in the west, and my heart sank with it. My heart was in my boots for many day, but pride finally came to the rescue, and determined to try to forget Mary and the whole female sex.
 Feeling that it would be impossible to have asy peace of mind with Mary so near, planned long trip to Europe. It had always been my fathers wish that I, his only son, should take this trip, but had always opposed it, think ing that he could not afford it, for he had two daughters, both younger than myself, and longed to see them take that position in society which a good education only can give. And, while this European trip would not have seri- Ously interfered with my wishes for my sisters advancement, I knew that it would entail an amount of economy at home that I did not like to think of. But, seeing my depressed spirits and perhaps guessing the cause, my father renewed his persuasions, set forth in glowing terms the advantages to be gained. which none knew better than he himself, as he had been quite tray eler in his youth, and finally overcame all my objections
 My trunk was packed; passport and guidebcoks were provided; arrange ments were made for the necessary funds to meet my expenses, but not a word came from Mary, although she must have heard that I was ready to go. Father, mother and sisters bade me a sad goodby, and was gone.
 A few days after leaving home I sailed from New York and in due time landed in Ireland. It took me month to see all that wanted to see of that country, and I spent two mcnths in Scotland, three months in England and proceeded to Paris. determined to stay long enough in France to learn the lan- guage thoroughly. I spent six months in Paris and the rest of France, and might have spent six more if I had thought my father could afford it. But knew his resources were not abundant, and so hurried on into Germany, de- voting year to that country, Switzer- land and Italy. I was on the point of winding up my trip with few months in Spain, when slight incident caused me to turn my face toward home with as much haste as if legion of devils was behind me.
 Preparatory to going into Spain, I had taken a Spanish grammar out of my trunk with the intention of brushing up my knowledge of Spanish, which had become quite rusty from long disuse. As opened the book a small letter ad dressed to me in Mary's we'll known handwriting fell out It was without postmark and was sealed.
 l tore it open, with beating heart, for her image was as fresh i'll my mem- ory as on the day parted with her at her door. It was very short, and I ob- served that the date was on the next day after had last seen her. This was the whole letter:
 May =. ls-.
 DEAR JoHN-Yes- MARY.
 Only four words besides the date.
 then remembered that I had been looking over my Spanish grammar on the very day this letter was written, had dozed eff into a nap of few min- utes' duration and had left the book open on the table beside me. had been reused up suddenly by some enc call ing me, and. as it was nearly dark when I awoke, 1 must have shut up the letter t in the book without seeing it.
 Everything was now clear, and Mary had done all that could have wished. I took the first steamer for New York, and never did a man cross the Atlantic ocean with greater anxiety. We'll might ei1 off \, note. I reproached myself hundred times for never making any inquiries as to the causes cf her silence and cursed my foolish pride along with my re- breaches.
 As soon as I got to the erd of my | journey went directly to Mary s house, | even before going to my own home. She was decidedly cool toward me, though it had been years since we had seen each other. But when Iexplained the matter, she seemed fully satisfied, and we were married in a few weeks.
 I afterward learned that the letter | had been duly sent by trustworthy messenger, W ho had come into my room, and, finding me asleep, had left it at my elbow, supposing, of course, that l would see it when woke up.
 Many years have passed away since these events took place, and there is a | little Mary now running in and out as | I write, who bids fair to equal her mother ill beauty. And nothing pleases her so much as when I tell her the story of my finding mammals letter in my Spanish book on the borders of Spain. Said letter is now framed and glazed | and hangs above me. 1t has often been taken down and hidden by my wife, and many threats have been made to burn it mp. but I always manage to find 1t and bring it back.-New York Even Ing Post.