M——, November 8, 19—.
My Dear Eleanor:—
I was disappointed yesterday, but this evening your letter came—and what a welcome it received! I cannot tell you how much a part of my life your letters have become, how they have helped to lift me to a purer, clearer atmosphere, how they have made the common things of everyday seem noble and worth while. Should our friendship end here, I could not but be deeply grateful for what you have done for me—done unconsciously by simply being what you are—and all my life I should be a better man for having met you. At the very beginning of our acquaintance you won my heart by your gentle ways and your bright, sweet unselfishness and ready sympathy, and time has only deepened the feeling that was awakened in me by my first meeting with you. It has been hard, harder than you can ever know, my darling, to love as I have loved you and be silent so long. You are the most beautiful, the dearest girl in all the world, and I love you, love you with all my heart and strength and soul, and long to prove it by a life's devotion. Dearest, all that I have or am or ever hope to be is yours, yours now and forever, yours wholly and absolutely. Would I had more to offer you! It is little—only myself. Dear Eleanor, can it not be? May I not devote my life to making you happy and myself more worthy of you? If you are not sure of yourself, only give me a chance and I will make you love me. Let me plead my cause in person. I long to see your own sweet lips and eyes say yes to me.
Yours ever,
Phillip Harris.
174. Answer to the Above (Favorable).
S——, November 12, 19—.
Dear Phillip:—
Your letter came last evening. It hardly took me by surprise, but made me very happy. I cannot help being glad that you love me, Phillip, and have begun to do some hard thinking to find out what my feeling is toward you. You know it is a long time since we have seen each other. I want so much to see you again, and if you come, as you suggest, shall try not to disappoint you.
Yours sincerely,
Eleanor.