Year: 1869

went up stairs and brought down my writ
ing desk. There were sor9e sheets of
paper and delicate envelopes, which had
been there for months stored within, and
silver pen and pen-handle which had
been birthday present in my school days.


took them out, and the ink bottle also.
The ink was thick for we did not write
much-neither of us-and 1 brought the
vinegar cruet from the closet and thinned
it to my liking. Then I sat down and
looked at the paper. Then l went to the
stairs and listened to see that mother was
not coming. Then l actually seated my
self, squared my elbows and began to write.
This is what l wrote


DEAR MISS HARRow.-I am a coward.
Not, l hope, in one sense, but certainly as
regards you For year have loved you.
Yet, I no more would have dared to say
so than 1 would had you been queen
Perhaps because l do not cherish a hope
that you like me. Tomorrow you and 1
will ride together. Tomorrow I had made
up my mind to try my fate, but know 1
shall not dare to speak, so write. 1 will
give you this letter to read at home. If
the answer be mo" il will be easier for us
both Will you try and think enough of
me to be my wife some day?


7 love you better than do my life, and
I will do all man can to make life happy
for you With little help can make my
| way in the world as other men do. 1 am
young and strong, and not utterly igno-
rant. If 1 am to have that help give me
some sign-give line your name only.
anything TO show me what you mean. If
l am to be miserable-well then make no
answer. Silence shall mean NO I
could not bear to see you or speak to you
after that.


| This is an awk ward love letter, no doubt .
1 am pot used to writing letters of any
kind Of late. never wrote or said word
| of love to any one before. That must be
it's excuse. But were it ever so elegant
| it could not mean more. for l offer all the
plove I ever felt or shall ever know.
ALMoN CRAIG
sealed this note in the daintiest enve-
! lope possessed, and wrote Hepsey Har-
rows name on the back, and hid it in the
desk from mothers eyes sharp eyes that
looked at me anxiously as I drove away
with old Dobbln and the little red sleigh
on the following evening.


She was ready for me, Ny mothers
hint was in my mind. and 1 looked at her
dress. All 1 discovered Was that it was
blue; but her furs were good. could
| Judge of iurs.


"She must marry a rich man or one on
! his way wealthward,' - said. ''She shall
too. I've no more to start with than Wash
ington had" And I tucked her into the
sleigh and drove off to the meeting.


1t was pleasant drive, and a merry
dance and supper, but as the time went on
I felt glad that 1 had written the letter,
for I could not have said what it said for
me. 1t was at the last moment when we
were driving homeward that mustered
courage to ask her for the little reticule
she carried as the other girls did with a
brush and some flowers in it, think, for
they had to touch up the curls and braids
after the windy ride before the dance.


"Why do you want it - she asked.


''To put something in it which you
must not look at till you get home. said


You arouse my curiosity" she answer
ed, 81 shall look the instant have lamp


AS she spoke dropped in the letter and
snapped the clasp.


Not word more could I speak. But at
the door tried for the first time to kiss
her. Her lips eluded mine, and 1 dared
not repeat the attempt.


took the red sleigh home and aited
waited hopefully, as 1 knew afterwards,
fora answer. None came-a day, week
a month Then all the hope was over. ]
had seen her. She had given me little
cold. smileless bow. I was rejected.


"Mother." said that night, 1--WE mus
have some one to farm the place. I'm 60
ing to some city,


"Why 90 she said.


''To make my fortune" I replied.


"FOr that girl-the school ma'am q
!. asked my mother bitterly.


No. l said ''never for her"


Ather kuelt down beside me as ga


She put her hand on my