The herald., 1898-08-07
LETTERS

1t was toward the close OF dreary No
vember afternoon. Outside the wind was
bowling mournfuly among the leaf1ess
branches of the tall elms The Sky was a
cold, dull gray, except in the west, where
an angry streak of red stretched along the
horizon, making bright background for
the tall, naked elms that bordered the drive
way.
Inside the scene was scarcely less dreary.
A fire burned slowly in the old-fashioned
crate in the library, throwing its shadows
upon the walls and ceiling, now bringing
into view the bookcases crowded with rich
ly bound volumes, now leaping higher and
higher, and casting its shadows among the
oaken rafters that studded the ceiling;
then. as if ashamed of its sudden uprising,
sinking down almos. into embers.
The two occupants of the room were
watching it's fantastic movements, each,
however, without thought or the hre Itself.
He was standing with his elbows on the
mantelpiece his hand supporting his head.
She was sitting on the opposite side, ner-
vously twisting her handkerchief in and
out through her fingers. Her face wore an
Indifferent expression, but it was with diff
ficulty she could refrain from every now
and then glancing at that of her compan-
ion.
There had been a misunderstanding be-
seouential quarrels that make Cupid's heart
weep for an hour or so and afterward
brighter and happier for the little cloud,
but rather one of those where loves sweet
dream, cherished it may have been for
years, Is likely to be crushed.
She had accused him and he had ex-
plained, but to no avail. An awkward pause
ensued, neither knowing just what to say.
Finally she broke the silence.
-
admit it. 1 loved you for what thought
YOU were, but now that have found my
faith in you is groundless, release you."
Still he held his peace and continued to
watch the fire, his mind busy with the past.
The silence exasperated her. AT last she
arose, and crossing over to the escritoire
opened one of its drawers and took from 1t
a bundle of letters. They were tied with a
little pink ribbon and were, as he knew
those he had written her since their en-
gagement. She tried to unite the knot. but
being unable to do so gave 1t vicious lit
tle twitch when the ribbon broke and the
letters scattered right and left
He bent down, and gathering them up
handed them to her.
II do not want them. l was going to
burn them, but will leave that delightful
task to you," she said, in tone meant to
display Indifference and sarcasm, but which
as such was a miserable failure.
He drew a chair up to the CRATE, and seat
ing himself began to read, as he finished
each one dropping it into the fire. 1t
seemed to her that she had never seen him
so cool and self-possessed before. 1t
seemed as though her heart would break
as. one by one, the letters she had longed
for. loved and cherished were dropped into
the fire. Outside the wind still mourned
in and out among the branches of the elms
whose creaking and twisting afforded a
weird accompaniment. The room was al
most in darkness, except for the light of the
fire, whose fiaring arms seemed to wave
for ioy every time the silent reader dropped
a letter into it's depths and to spring up In
a mocking, tantalizing manner.
At last he came to one almost covered
with monograms. Oh! how quickly it all
flashed before her mind. That lovely sum-
mer morning a year ago when she had
twisted her initials with his and then
blushed to find the combination spelled
l.. o. V. E. oh! he must not burn that
one
Slowly and with an almost imperceptible
sigh he replaced 1t in it's envelope and con-
signed it to the fate of the others.
"Oh! how could you?" she cried, and
darted forward, but ere she could save II
the mocking flames claimed 1t as Their
own.
The young man was startled at this sud.
den outbreak, and glanced up in unfeigned