El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-08-09

Z
Mary Danforth received her first
letter from him She had stipulated
before he went that he should not
write often, as she wanted time to
think"
4 must see whether miss you when
, you are irrevocably out of sight" she
had said; DO not write Oftener than
In commanding this she had obeved
ner mead rather than her heart She
would noe yield easily to anv desire
she was beginning to love. If she really
cared for him, her affection would ex-
ist no matter how long his silence: if
ner hiking was but a passing fancy
absence and non-communication would
prove this fact Yet, in spite of her
interdict, she found herself wondering
now soon Craig would write. She al
ders.
sat sewing, allowing herself to do this
because there were no lessons to be
prepared for che next day. She was
emDrOlder1ng collar to be worn with
her graduation gown, and her fingers
piled the needle swiftly and deity
while her thoughts flew ahead to the
bit of finery. Would Craig surely come
on for her commencement? Would
she see him in the audience, and, If
so, would she be nervous? She hoped
not. She also hoped that she would
look so well on that occasion that the
man would find her very fair and low
The arrival of the postman at an
apartment house and che distribution
no means closely connected, so Mary
was surprised when soon after the
whistle had shrilled below Jennie ap-
peared with letter and a small parcel.
"A registered package for you. Miss
Mary, she explained, "and will you
please sign for it, the carrier says?
just brought up"
Mary signed the registry-card, re-
turned 1t to Jennie, and, with an in
differenc manner, laid the letters upon
the table at her side. She would not
let the maid suspect how her heart had
Ieaped at sight of the San Antonio
p1Stmark- me other letter was sim
pie note of invitation from a school
mate, but when Jennie had closed the
door behind her, Mary forced herself
to open this first She did this as
small children confronted BY two ar
Clcles OF food which must be eaten, dis
pose first of that which they are least
for. saving, as they say. the. best for
the last" 1t is doubtful if the recip-
lent gave much. thought to her school
mates invitation, yet she replaced it
carefully in its envelope after reading
It Then she took up her western let
ter, and, with her embroidery scissors
opened it. She found an almost agree
able self-tOrture in making herself
perform all these details slowly.
But when the sheet was opened. her
eyes deVOured the contents eagerly. It
was not long letter, and the girl read
Dearest" it ran, ct may call you
that because you are that to me. and
longs to you does not commit you to
anything. does iC2 I had a comfort
able. Journey home. that is, a physically
comforta BILE journey. But when I re-
membered that I was steadily drawing
away from, instead of going toward
you, found it hard not to get out and
raj to
Come to think of il. it seems to me
that you told me must not write to
you about my love for YOU but I must
DO 1C Just this once ] am sending BY
registered mail something that be-
longs to you It IS the same quarter
that you lent me on that blessed even
ing on which I first saw you, dear. You
remember I had to take it back after
returning it to you, for your mother in
Well. am now returning it to its real
owner Forgive me for making it into
a little souvenir instead of leaving It
as it was when I received it Perhaps
you may think 1t worth wearing on
your bangle. or with some Of the jung
ling things girls fasten on their chains.
As long as you feel there is any chance
Of your some day loving me, please
keep this If you ever decide to have
nothing to do with such an unworthy
person as myself, you need not write
me to that effect. but lust return the
trinket to me, and I will know the sad
truth that would change my whole life.
heart again, but a lump Of lead"
There was little else to the letter
except the signature. prefaced by other
sentiments as seemingly foolish to the
wise and prudent as all the rest Of
the episCle would have appeared But
the reader was only young and trust
full girl.
Her lips were smiling happily and
her fingers trembled slightly as she
unfasteneG the tiny registered parcel
Upon a layer of cotton lay the coin,
glistening brightly, and looking like
a new bit of silver. It had been
polished smooth andl on one side Of
it were Mary's initiaIs-''M. D.
while on the reverse side were the
initials of the sender. &C. c." A tiny
ring was at the top of the coin by
which it could be suspended from a
chain or bracelet
From childhood Mary Danforth had
worn about her neck a thin chain and
a small locket given to her by a rela-
tive. The locket she removed and
slipped the coin in its place on the
chain She looked long at the initials,
&C c." then kissed them suddenly,
and as If ashamed of her action,
quickly clasped the chain about her
throat christening her collar, she
slipped the chain and its new burden
inside Of the neck of her dress.
81 will never return it," she said
softly her eyes shining. st know now
that I will never have to return IT.
And"-with a sudden blush when
he comes again I shall tell him So"