s tending to disgust
those to whom it is addressed, as well as to degrade the writers, and to
create suspicion as to their sincerity. The sentiments should spring from
the tenderness of the heart, and, when faithfully and delicately expressed,
will never be read without exciting sympathy or emotion in all hearts not
absolutely deadened by insensibility.

{44}

[Illustration]

_FORMS OF LOVE LETTERS._

_12.--An Ardent Declaration._.

Naperville, Ill., June 10th, 1894.

My Dearest Laura:

I can no longer restrain myself from writing to you, dearest and best of
girls, what I have often been on the point of saying to you. I love you so
much that I cannot find words in which to express my feelings. I have loved
you from the very first day we met, and always shall. Do you blame me
because I write so freely? I should be unworthy of you if I did not tell
you the whole truth. Oh, Laura, can you love me in return? I am sure I
shall not be able to bear it if your answer is unfavorable. I will study
your every wish if you will give me the right to do so. May I hope? Send
just one kind word to your sincere friend,

HARRY SMITH.

_13.--A Lover's Good-bye Before Starting on a Journey._

Pearl St., New York, March 11th, 1894.

My Dearest Nellie: I am off to-morrow, and yet not altogether, for I leave
my heart behind in your gentle keeping. You need not place a guard over it,
however, for it is as impossible that it should stay away, as for a bit of
steel {45} to rush from a magnet. The simile is eminently correct, for you,
my dear girl, are a magnet, and my heart is as true to you as steel. I
shall make my absence as brief as possible. Not a day, not an hour, not a
minute, shall I waste either in going or returning. Oh, this business; but
I won't complain, for we must have something for our hive besides
honey--something that rhymes with it--and that we must have it, I must
bestir myself. You will find me a faithful correspondent. Like the spider,
I shall drop a line by (almost) every post; and mind, you must give me
letter for letter. I can't give you credit. Your returns must be prompt and
punctual.

Passionately yours,
LEWIS SHUMAN.

To Miss Nellie Carter,
No. ---- Fifth Avenue, New York.

_14.--From an Absent Lover._

Chicago, Ill., Sept. 10, 1894.

My Dearest Kate: This sheet of paper, though I should cover it with loving
words, could never tell you truly how I long t