The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-04
The Lost Letter.


Frank Prescott had proposed to Bessie
Beily0ed, and she had accepfed him On
that memorable morning. q they eat
together by the river. telling love tales,
he told her OF his love for her, and asked
her 70 be his wife, ana she had said
yes" So. as they walked up the road
| together to her house. he told her now
he had made up his mind to win her ever
| since they had first met, and now that be
had he was the happIest man on earth.
Bessie" said Frank. as he left hA9
at the gate, will you meet me at the old
spot this afternoon at o'clock? / would
like to show you that story am writing."
Yes, will be there, Frank; but haveI't
you forgotten something?" she asked. sly
ly, as he was about to move away. why,
no. o, yes, have" and he caught her
in his arms and kissed her lovingly.
Goodbye, darling; don't forget this
afternoon at o'clock.
After dinner he put his hah-hnished
story in his pocket and strolied down by
the river. How bright everything seemed
| today. The sun was shining brightly ana
the birds were singing gayly IN the Tree
tops, and their voices, ningfng with the
sound Of the rushing water, made MIN
feel as though nature could not ma
better spot to repose in. Taking seat
on the grass-covered bank, ne went 10
work on his story. He was writing q love
romance of two young lovers. who had
heen parted by misfortune and an am6i-
tious and cruel father. He had now come
TO the point where the hero writes let
ter to his sweetheart. He took fresh
piece of paper, and had just finished It,
when he heard someone approaching.
Hastily putting the letter In his pocket,
as he thought, he sprang up. and went
| TO greet Bessie, for IL was she. They saS
under the shade of an apple tree, right
by the river, and were 50 rbusly talking
that Frank forgot all a1Dut showtns her
his story.
why, Bessie. you look lovely this after
noon," he said, as he kissed her. do you
know, 4 am the happiest man living to-
day, for the sweetest little girl In the
world has promised to be my WIFE,"
''But how would you like to 60 for a
row." he said. 'It Is lovely on the river.
II you wait here on the bank I will run
down and have the boat up here in ten
minutes" "why, 1 would be delighted"
she said, and as he dashed OF to get the
boat she said: 81 will wait right here
for you"
After Frank had gone, Bessie. looking
on the ground, saw a piece Of paper. She
noticed some writing on II. Out OF curl
osity she read II, and as she finished the
paper dropped out of her nerveless hand
and she turned white. This Is Franks
handwriting. How can he be so false.
Is he playing with met" These and
hundred more such thoughts went surg
ing through her brain as she read the
paper again. We will read it with her.
1t began:
my Dear Rose: Though we are parted,
I still love you with @ passion as deep as
the ocean, and will only cease when I
die. Remember, you promise II we ever
meet again we will be married. Your love
in haste"
There was no signature at the bottom,
but the handwriting was Enthusiastically
his. Yes, she did remember mis- startled
looks as he met her that afternoon but
she would show him that she could not
be trIfied with. She would face him with
the letter and witness his modification.
Meanwhile Frank got the boat and
rowed up the river. As he neared the
spot where Bessie was he was puzzled
when she did not speak to him, and he
also noticed a strange look on her face
which he had never seen before.
''why, what is the matter, darling?"
he said. as he sprang up the bank. He
tried to hold her in his arms, but she
pushed him from her and said: This will
explain" at the same time handing him
the letter. She could say no more, so.
throwing herself on the grass, she sobbed
bitterly. frank read the paper and rec
ognIZed It at once as the letter he was
writing In his story. With a laugh ne
gathered her In his arms. and after he
had explained 1t to her she said: 20,
Frank. I am so happy now I will never
doubt you again."-Boston Post.