“Will you read my answer?” asked Hilda, taking it from the envelope not yet sealed.
“If you wish it, my love.”
“Yes, I would rather have you know the whole story.”
Mrs. Warfield’s face brightened into a smile as she read:
“Dear Cousin Fred:
“Yours received and I reply merely to advise you not to distress yourself fearing I will grieve. Why should I be disappointed in you, when it is exactly as I expected? I was favored with the experience of other girls, and as you will remember was not willing to engage myself to you, knowing your fickleness; but after you remained faithful a few weeks I was foolish enough to believe you in earnest, and for this I am heartily ashamed. I shall be in no danger of committing again the folly of believing it, so you need not trouble yourself to tell me ‘your future sentiments.’
“Your Cousin Hilda.”
“Dear Cousin Fred:
“Yours received and I reply merely to advise you not to distress yourself fearing I will grieve. Why should I be disappointed in you, when it is exactly as I expected? I was favored with the experience of other girls, and as you will remember was not willing to engage myself to you, knowing your fickleness; but after you remained faithful a few weeks I was foolish enough to believe you in earnest, and for this I am heartily ashamed. I shall be in no danger of committing again the folly of believing it, so you need not trouble yourself to tell me ‘your future sentiments.’
Mrs. Warfield arose upon finishing the letter, and taking Hilda in her arms pressed a kiss upon the trembling lips.
“I feared you would not be willing to have me send it,” faltered Hilda, as tears for the sympathy received filled her eyes.
“Yes, send it, by all means, and the earlier the better. It will do Fred good to find that one girl, at least, is not so much in love with him as to withhold resentment for his unmanly fickleness.”
Hilda put the letter in the envelope, sealed it and went out, and Mrs. Warfield returned to her room and took up her sewing.