That you may both be very happy, and that your happiness may
    increase with your years, is the prayer of

    Your Friend, FRANK HOWARD.


       *       *       *       *       *

LETTER WRITING.


Any extravagant flattery should be avoided, both as 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.


DECLARATION OF AFFECTION.

    Dear Nellie: Will you allow me, in a few plain and simple
    words, respectfully to express the sincere esteem and
    affection I entertain for you, and to ask whether I may
    venture to hope that these sentiments are returned? I love
    you truly and earnestly and knowing you admire frankness
    and candor in all things, I cannot think that you will take
    offense at this letter. Perhaps it is self-flattery to suppose
    I have any place in your regard. Should this be so, the error
    will carry with it its own punishment, for my happy dream will
    be over. I will try to think otherwise, however, and shall
    await your answer with hope. Trusting soon to hear from you, I
    remain, dear Nellie.

    Sincerely Yours,
    J.L. Master

    To Miss Nellie Reynolds,
    Hartford, Conn.

[Illustration]


       *       *       *       *       *

FORMS OF LOVE LETTERS.


_12.--An Ardent Declaration._

    Naperville, Ill., June 10th, 1915

    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 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 wont 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, 1915