El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-03-15
The HeraId's Daily
Short Story

he had never seen. His son an actor.
his sons wife an actress, and his
grandson, the future heir Of his es-
tates, the fruit Of a disgraceful union.
He tore the letter into little bits.
Never as long as he was alive should
any Of them cross his threshold. He
at least knew what he owed the dig
nlIy OF MS ancestors
With a deep sigh he leaned back in
his chair He felt suddenly tired.
Slowly he ran his fingers through his
sparse gray hair and stared into space
before him. Then his eye fell upon the
other letter lying still unopened on his
desk. He saw IL was an official docu-
ment and opened It mechanically, in
differently 1t contained two papers
one a letter from the general pOstof-
flee informing him that the letter en-
closed had accidentally been found in
an old mail bag, which had not been
opened for many years and an humble
apology for the negligence
The address Of the envelope aWak-
ened old memories in his mind. II
had been opened and the stamp on IL
was one no longer in use His name
was almost unreliable. He took out
the letter which still had a faint odOT
of violets. The delicate handwriting
was pale and yellow.
Baron Charles put on his glasses and
read. Ny darling this letter
really for him. Had there really ever
existed anyone who would call him
my darling? Of course it must be
so, but IL was so many years ago, thai
he no longer remembered He turned
the letter over and looked at the sig
nature, Always your loving Rose"
He shuddered as he read these
words. She who had written them
had been dead for many years. II
was really a letter from ROse-tist
girl whom he had loved psssionately
when his heart was still young
He had not written her for two
whole days, the letter said Why haC
h p
was looking eagerly for the arrtva
Of the letter carrier every day RnC
almost cried when he passed her door
Surely he did not love her, IS sh'
loved him, or he would have sent hel
a letter by every mall But now, Of
course, he would write her a long let
ter as soon as he received this Sh'
had kissed the letter and knew i
would get her an answer by next mall
AS baron Charles read on, the eX
preston of his face softened, his lips
trembled and tears ran down MI
cheeks.
whelmed him, memories that had beer
buried many years What fool ht
had been. Why had he listened to al
these worldly wise counselOrs2 Why
had not he had courage TO brave ever
body and remain faithful to the love
ly woman. who loved him with all hel
innocent heart and who was the only
one he had ever lOved2
w nat naQ ne Saluel- NOLuAuB z
all. while he had lost a whole ilfe''
happiness. At this moment he felt like
a beggar. In a flash he saw the truth
and realized his whole wasted, cheer
less life. But this letter from his frs
and only love had a message for hin
even today, thought It was not writ
ten on the paper.
The letter seemed to say: "Remem-
Der our love-consider well that YOU
are about to drive away your son be
cause he is not such a coward as yoJ
were yourself"
He hid his face IN his hands and
thought OF the many years that had
passed. Never had he felt as old al
he did now.
in a trembling hand:
MY Dear George
1T is I who must ask you to for
give and forget. II you can do this
shall count the hours until you return
with your wife and my little grand
son.
your affectionate father,
Charles de Noalles."