The sea coast echo., 1902-11-01
a Latter That
Came at Last
~ Mary Kyle Dallas.

tne pOStmaH whistle coming up Ine
street, and hearing his step leave
the next pavement, suddenly slipped
her feet out of her pretty satin slip
pers and glidcd down the stairs be
tween her bedroom and the lower hall
in her stockings, holding her robe SC
that no sound of its fiounces might
be heard against the Dalustrade.
II heard him say he would write tc
her." she whispered, between her
white teeth, CLEAN of jealousy In
her large, black eyes, and a frown
upon her brow which spoiled her face
regular as were it's features. 81 heard
him, and will know what he writes
II will know"
Bending over the letter-box, she
stood waiting-listening
Tho postman's step advanced, his
whistle sounded, letters dropped into
the box and he was off again.
The next instant whatever he had
left was in Miss Ramsens hand in
her pocket, and she was running up
stairs again.
Halfway up she met another girl
young thing of seventeen. with flax
en- hair, blue eyes. slender waist, lips
like jacque roses, anu skin of that
pure. healthy, creamy tint, more beau,
tiful than the highest color
II heard the postman, Regina" she
said, with laugh.
80 did |, Bessie" replied the bru-
nette, but there is no letter in the
box"
"Oh, | am sure he whistled here, y
Bessie answered, and went on and
peeped into the box.
She returned disappointed.
''IIe said he would wrlte"-she whis.
pered to hersell-"he said he would
write"
Her chin quiyered with disappoint.
ment, her eyes grew heavy. She would
not cry, but she greatly desired to do
so.
"Ah, well, there are more mails to.
day" she said, and settled down to
her sewing-work for her Cousin Re
gina-Regina was always having new
dresses made. Poor little Bessie, the
poor relation Of the family, was sci.
dom without n needle in her hand
In consequence. 1t was very rarely
that she had new dress of her own.
Happily she was so fresh and pret.
ty. that the simple little frocks that
were now and then given her. mus.
Inns bought by her aunt at bargain
counters, or cheap woolens selling of
out of season, were all becoming.
Regina, with her grand hair, had
something condescended to tell her so
in the first days of her presence in
the Remsen residence, but of late to
the astonlshment of the stately cous,
in and the stout aunt, others had oh.
served the fact.
Roy King, who was not only the
most eligible match in the Remsen
social circle, but a very charming fel
low beside, had been altogether toe
attentive to poor little Bessie of late
They had fingered on the balcony to-
gcther, and Regina had heard a whis
per, which had set her to watching
the letter box as we have seen.
Now behind her locked door, she
held in her hand the proof that she
was not mistaken. A letter on the
paper Roy always used and bearing
his SEAL addressed to Miss Bessie
Benton"
For a moment Reg;nia held 1t in hei
hand and hesitated. One may go tC
State prison for breaking the seal of a
letter addressed to another. But Re
gina argued that no one would ever
know. That was all fair In love and
war.
who knows what the little sly
boots may be up to, she said to her
self; "he was devoted to me before
mamma asked her here. And If she
is casting her nets for him must
know it," Then she cut the edges
of the letter very carefully with q
tiny pearl-handled knife and the let
ter lay open before her. She read:
Dear Dessie-May | call you so;
have tried to tell you how felt tc
you so often, but there seems no op
portunity for me on your aunts recep
llon evenings.
"On Thursday. unless you send me
word not to come, shall call on you
particularly. cannot endure this
suspense much longer
yours deyotedly. Roy King"
Regina read this letter twice. flash
ing with wrath as she did so.
Then thrusting it in her pocket
again, she flew across the hall to hel
mothers room, and shutting the door
locked it behind her. much to that
lady's astonishment
"You startle one So" said Mrs
Ramsen, who was trying on new
frizette at the mirror Really, you
should cultivate more dignifed man
ner. Tall people should never fly
about like whirwinds as you do, ant
am sure Roy King would be dis
gusted if he saw you like that"
"Oh, mammal" said Regina testify
don't preach, lie come to you for ad
vice. Somehow, no matter in wha
Particular way, have discovered
that Roy King, who has seemed tC
every one to come here for my sake
who certainly did admire me, has beer
bewitched by that little snake, Bessi,
Benton. He intends to come here OF
Thursday to see her, to propose I,
her, mamma, and II"
Here Regina threw herself on tht
sofa and burst into tuats.
Il am so fond of him and he is 81
rich, and I'm so bitterly disappoint
ed"
Perhaps it is all your imagination
Regina" said Mrs. Ramsen. How die
you learn all that?"
"You had better not ask questions
about that, mamma" Regina answer
ed; please accept 1t as a fact, ant
tell me how to prevent Roy King from
seeing Bessie next Thursday"
my dear, Bessie shall not see hin
here next Thursday" said Mrs. Ram
son utanoinry hack IN cret n hattar yinv