The Delta independent., 1901-06-28

LADY EaSletOn reJOlceu exceedingly
at Roy's departure, while Mabel
mourned, and Mildred with her mother
expressed trust sympathy. But. as
there comes to every grief some grain
Of comfort, SO the third morning there
came to Mabel letter directed in an
unknown handwriting, which she took
with falsely assumed indifference that
Tailed but badly with her frightened
eyes. and carried away to her own
room, there to read and re-read it.
Her grandaunt, who seldom came
down to breakfast, and who on this
particular occasion had been prompted
by somem evil genius go to do, had
witnessed the arrival of the post-bag.
the distribution OF the letters. and
Mabel's conscious smile and blush as
she received hers. AS her ladyship
never forgot an injury-always making
II a point to repay it, II possible four
fold-and as the late skirmish in the
drawing-room was still fresh in her
mind. she felt this was an opportunity
not to be neglected, so she spoke as
follows:
Il did not imagine 1t possible. Caro-
line. that you would allow your daugh-
ters to receive and open letters from
gentlemen without first handing them
to you for inspection"
My dear Aunt Harriet, what do you
mean?" asked her niece anxiously who
knew her meaning well enough. but
was afraid to say SO.
Il may have been mistaken" said
her ladyship. with heavy accentuation.
and considerable severity; but l GER
tainly did think saw Mabel receive a
letter just now, addressed in the hand
writing of gentleman"
Hearing this Lady Caroline grew
suddenly unhappy. and. half believing
fearing she herself was acting with i'm
prudence toward her daughters, asked
Mildred privately to find out fpbm her
sister whether the letter in question
was everything 1t ought to be.
Not that wish to force myself into
her confidence" Lady Caroline said
you understand that. Mildred have
the fullest faith in Mabel. and I know
the dear child would show me her let
isfy your grandaunt; she is SO hard on
Mabel-that want her to see how
dutiful in reality she can be-"
II understand" said Mildred, who
never despised her mothers weakness.
however strong she might feel herself
to be. and went upstairs to Mabel's
room. which she found locked against
all intruders
Mabel. open the door. dearest" she
said. knocking gently on the outside;
whereupon. after minutes interval.
Mabel did open the door. and stood on
the threshold slightly defiant in ap-
pearance.
''Oh. 1t is you. Mildred" she said.
with an assumption of surprise.
May ! not come In darling7" in
Quired Miss Trevanion. reproachfully.
'Of course you can come in" ''the
queen" answered unEraciously moving
a little to one side.
Mildred went a few steps into the
room. and closed the door.
Mabel. will you not show It to me!"
she said.
so that is IT." cried Mabel. Il
thought so. Aunt Harriet's revengeful
expression when the post came in was
not thrown away upon me. She has
been debating to mamma. and saying
OF me all sorts OF things as unjust as
they are untrue: and mamma. in turn.
has been debating to you. Now there
Is no use in your trying to gloss over
matters. Mildred; can understand 1t
all as distinctly as though had been
present. I have never before been
asked to deliver up my letters for pub
lie inspection. and l don't intend to do
80 now. II is easy in such case to draw
conclusions. and. II Aunt Harriet i'm
agines she can control my actions. she
makes a very great mistake-and SO
you may tell her. He did not write for
her eyes-he wrote solely for mine"
She had worked herself into high
state of indignation by this time.
"Of course he did" said Mildred; do
you think l cannot understand that,
Mamma said distinctly you were not
to be asked to show your letter even
to her, until you wished to do so OF
your own accord" Then, sympathetic
ally-"Is 1t love letter, Mabel?"
well. yes. suppose So" acknowl-
edged 1.-The queen" demurely. her
whole pretty, angry face breaking into
smiles OF incxpressible happiness. as
she thought Of all the love the letter
contained.
Then there came the unconquerable
longing to share her secret with some
body-to let some other eyes besides
her own see how dearly she was be-
loved-to her some other voice declare
how sweet and true and perfect letter
was.
Tiff you will promise faithfully,
Mildred, not to tell any one, | will let
you see it
II promise faithfully" said Mildred,
And then Mabel went over to her
drawer, and. having opened 1t. slowly
and tenderly drew from IL the harm