The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-10-07
HER LAST LETTER.

harrington.
He was thinking deeply Repeat
eddy he pondered: IF only knew!
But how can find out?' His smooth
brow slowly contracted as his thoughts
progressed.
She also was lost in thought, not
outstanding her busy fingers wan
dered accurately over the keyboard, her
thoughts were an image of his. But 10
her soliloQuies she added. And l can
never know II he doesn't tell me-" and
a sigh. drowned by the clicking Of her
machine, escaped her.
Getchell had hired many typewriters.
He had experienced every species Of
them, but each became, sooner or later,
cranky. Consequently, each had de-
parted-up to year previous. At that
time he had engaged Alice. and for a
whole year he had retained her--an
unprecedented phenomenon for him.
But what was more, he wished very
much to keep her forever. In short, he
lover her. But he had never spoken to
her of his passion.
| Ouuiy OhOu6hb <hiiSO loNSu ASA VIII
ployer. He was 80 unlike other men,"
she told herself, 80 kind and polite"
But she experienced those same feel
ings of reticence that Getchell did.
So for a year they had loved, only
expressing that love by occasional
kindnesses just enough to keep the
fame alive.
To-day Frank was wondering wheth-
many of his best customers. They al
he might as we'll find out at once. II
she did love him life would be beauti-
full IL not-wretched.
Alice, too, wondered If Getchell could
love her, and smiling family, reflected:
"And should he propose? Could that
ever be possible?" then pictured those
sweet moments-hls face when she
should whisper YES" and murmur
the words which she had been storing
away in her memory awaiting that
fateful moment. could ever have
that pleasure?" she questioned softly.
Eyes, all this might happen If it
wasn't for that Miss Hayes! Oh, how
l despise her!" and her beautiful brow
contracted.
She did not know, however, that Miss
Hayes was Getchell's cousin and that
ne would as soon have thought of mar
rying the Italian candy woman" Who
daily haunted the office, as marry Ella.
A half hour sped by. Suddenly
Frank exclaimed: Alice. here's an
other letter" She grasped her little
red-and- black-c covered note book and
sat down beside him.
| Dearest Ella: l can not wait
another day. I have loved you
so much for year. l must know
whether you love me. Will you be
my wife and make me happy?
You know l love you and would do
everything for you
AS word succeeded word Alice's face
was study. She did not, as usual,
keep her eyes upon Getchells face; they
sought the carpet. That's ALL he
| aid, as she finished
Perhaps he saw nothing in her face,
sut could he have seen her heart
he tearing, crushing passion which
surged within almost burning her soul
asunder. Her veins swelled and her
fingers could scarcely find the keys.
1t was such disappointment! How
she hated Ella Hayes now!
But the short letter was finished,
and with her days work she passed it
% Getchell, exclaiming to herself:
That's the last letter I'll write for
mimi"
He took them with smile, read
hem over, and, as was his custom,
DIRECTED and emphasized with his pen
few words in each. Then, taking his
oat and hat, he babe her jaunty
goodnight" and departed.
Alice, left alone, waited for his foot
steps to die away. Then, sitting down
he cried as though her heart would
break She accused Getchell of trifling
With her-deceiving her. Yet, when
she paused to think, he had never
ried to win her affection. He had
simply been kind" and good" Try
s she would, she could not accuse
him. She did not realize then that
Cupid interfered. But she knew one
thing. Her tear-stained face clouded
us she cried:
ooh, but that Ella Hayes! How I
despise her! He might have loved me
but for her, and now"-but the glance
fell on an envelope upon the desk.
There, in Getchell's handwriting, were
The words: Miss Alice Harrington"
He needn't have troubled to turn
me off. I'll go soon enough she
thought, as she tore open the envelope.
She unfolded the note within, then
stood one moment with such a look
upon her face-shame, sorrow, sur
prise, delight all blended together.
The same letter which she had writ
len few moments before was in her
Land. ELLA" had been crossed out
ind Alice" written instead.
The office door creaked. She turned,
and in the doorway, his face wreathed
In smiles, stood Frank. He was treated
10 beautiful sight. The last reflected
sunbeams played about Alice's fair
features, her beautiful bosom swelling
with emotion, and lost themselves
around her supple waist. She was
standing. one hand holding the letter
Ind the other grasping the back of a
hair.
He stepped forward and caught her
his arms. But she freely pushed him
iside, exclaiming: No! Explain your
self! What does all this mean? Who
Is Ella HAYES? You are trifling with
With mel"
He quickly told her everything and
hen he asked Darling, can YOU be
nine now" she whispered: Yes"
About tho Phongs.
According to M. Adhemar Leclerc,
French resident in Kratia, Cambodia,
the Phongs, q wild people of that coun-
try, have the type Of the North Am
erican Indians. They believe in a God,
whom they call Brah, and in another
life and in ghosts. They eat almost