Evening journal., 1907-09-19
THE LETTER THAT
WAS NEVER SENT
torieinaLl

Frank Littleheld stood on the porch
looking up at the sky, then down on
The vista before the house, then at the
dewdrops on the flowers In the front
yard. There Is nothing like a beautiful
summer morning TO make one feel a
delicious gladness. There was more
than this to make Littleneld glad. He
had come home to spend a two weeks
vacation after a very busy season in
the city He had for months been
working, not only days. but nights, and
when at last it became expedient for
him to knock OFF he was presented with
a handsome check by his employers
and a considerable raise of salary.
These blessings led up TO another pos
sible happiness When Littleheld went
to the city he had left at home a school
friend or love; he did not at the time
exactly know which, but had since
learned that the latter word better ex-
pressed his feelings. He had been far
seeing FOR a boy Of eighteen and had
contented himself with enjoying Louise
Phillips companlonship without max
ing a complication between them. He
was going to another field to make
bis way as best he could without in
huence or means, and he felt that he
had no right 10 enter upon an affair
that might stand IN the girls way
matrlmonlally But now he was to
receive n competence for two he had
returned anxious to meet his old school
mate and see how she appeared to him
after an absence during which she had
passed from sixteen to twenty-one.
Swinging cane in his hand, he step
ped down from the porch and out on TO
the walk that lined the road. It was
not the best time Of day TO make a call.
/ especially on his old companion. In
deed, be was especially averse TO haste.
/ He would devote the two weeks before
him 70 renewing his intimacy, studying
his own desires and those of Miss Phil
/ lips. If at the end of the fortnight all
was pr0pltious he would tell his story
and abide the. result. But, though he
did not intend TO make a call at 8
! o'clock in the morning. his steps nat.
urally fell toward the home Of the per.
son who occupied his thoughts. He
had not gone far before he saw coming
q woman whose walk was familiar. As
she approached he saw that she was
Miss Phillips. But the bud had opened
Every vestlge Of the child had disap-
peared. He saw a vision OF loveliness
that made his pulses throb.
'Aliss Phlllips?r he asked, raising his
hat.
"Afr. Littlefeldw she replied, start
ing. Indeed, she appeared confused, SC
much so as to drop a letter she carried
in her hand. Littleheld picked it Ut
and handed it to her. He noticed that
It was addressed TO a man. He tool
fright at once. To whom could she be
writing? The castle he had erected IN
his mind tottered. Then confidence was
momentarily restored. Why assume
that she was writing TO a lover?
'When did you Gomez" she asked.
"Last evening. May join you? Tn
only strolling."
Certainly. It's a long while since
I've seen you. You've not been home
since you left, 1 believer
'Yes. once or twice, but you happen
ed to be away"
She was fumbling the letter in hel
hands. Presently she dropped it again
Frank restored It TO her.
"Hot? How could It be hOt?r
at seems TO burn your fingers"
A deep scarlet -snread itself all -oYel