The herald., 1898-08-07
AIl'S Well That Ends Well

Lucille and Minette Norton were ac-
knowledged the most attractive girls
staying at the summer hotel at Old
Point Comfort. They were both very
pretty. but of as different types Of beau
ty as it is possible for cousins to be. Lu-
cille was dashing brunette, with some
thing almost masculine in her gypsy-like
beauty, while blonde little Minette was
the most charming parcel Of effeminacy
conceivable-in fact the prettiest and
daintiest little maid imaginable. AL
though these girls were such contrasts
outwardly, they loved each other dearly.
and the first cloud which dimmed their
friendship was in the shape of hand
some young man. This man, Reginald
Livingstone, was staying at the same
hotel with them, and unfortunately both
girls were stricken by his Adonis-like
beauty, although Reginald showed q
marked preference for Minette, taking
her out quite often to drive and row, but
on the other hand did not in any way
encourage Lucille's affections.
One afternoon as Lucille was lying in
a hammock under some large and shel-
tering bushes, overcome by the heat, she
fell asleep. On awakening she heard
two people not far off. talking, and as
she could not retire without being heard
and seen, she remained swinging list
lessly in the hammock. Unheeding the
conversation, she was startled by hear
ing Reginald's name, and upon listen
ing she recognized Minettes voice re-
plying that she could not answer such an
important question so quickly, but II ne
would go away and await her answer
she would write her final decision.
The important question" which Minette
had spoken of forcedttself upon Lucille.
and she was about to emerge from the
bushes to congratulate her cousin, when.
struck by jealousy, she decided at any
cost to gain Minettes letter, and as
Reginald was not over-familiar with her
handwriting, to risk answering that
particular letter herself.
The lovers returned to the hotel, and
Lucille hurriedly left her place Of con-
cealment and hastened home, reaching
her room before her cousin returned.
That evening Minette was not as lively
as usual, and sought the privacy Of her
room on plea of headache. When Lu-
clle retired at night she inquired, with
well-feigned innocence, if she had wished
Reginald Livingstone goodby, as she
learned he had been suddenly called away
on business Minette evaded the an
swer, and hurriedly covered a letter
which she was writing, not, however.
before Lucille recognized it as the an
swer to Reginald.
Early the next morning she fastened
to her cousins room, and telling her she
to he tnfE acly yod fcIn
wished any letters mailed. Minette
gave her the desired letter, along with
some others, telling her to be most care
full about it, a s it contained a paper which
Reginald had lent her and which she
had forgotten to return to him. Gain
ing the secusion of her room, Lucille
opened the coveted letter, and finding it
to be an answer in the affirmative,
burned it and replaced it by fond but
negative answer, in which she requested
him not to write to her again.
Weeks passed, but Minette received no
response to her letter, and hearing tnat
Reginald had gone west though IL was
but passing whim on her lovers part,
and tried unsuccessfully to forget him.
Suddenly Lucille was summoned to her
father, who was taken serious i'll in
California. Starting Immediately, she
was speeding along in the trains, and
had almost reached her destination
when the sleeper in which she was be-
came deraied. She was hurled to one
side and pinioned down by mass Of
debris.
Almost suffocating, with death staring
her in the face, her conscience smote her.
She wished from her inmost heart she
could repair the wrong-the terrible
wrong-she had done her cousin.
Recovering from a swoon, she felt q
strong hand lifting her, and saw the
handsome face of Reginald Livingstone
STOPPING over her and looking down on
her Overcome with gratitude, her heart
burst forth, and she confessed all about
the burnt letter to him. Reginald was
overjoyed at the knowledge that Minette
had remained true to him and had an
swered 'yes," but although anxious to
rush to her arms, he thoughtfully and
gallantly remained until he had provided
for Lucille, who was unable to resume
her journey for some time, consequent
on the serious shock to her nervous sys-
tenn. Lucille rapidly gained in health,
now that her mind was unburdened Of
her secret. and receiving a telegram that
her father was better returned east and
most opportunely arrived just in time to
dance at her cousins wedding. Minette
gladly forgave her, sayingthat the trou-
BILE which Lucille's letter had caused
would only make Reginald value her all
the more. Lucille was the first to re-
ceive the brides kiss.-Angela NJ. Pearce,
in Boston Post.