The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-02-11


derful hieroglyphics, but all his own
writing and compositions:
'dere darlin val. i luv u so mush do waite till
am man so we can be marid. 1 will be as
quick as can, no am quite big now luv
wild all my hart ar mi only darlin, ure luvin
Jack"
Now, I am very fond of children, and
never having had brother or sister, or
niece or nephew, or little one brought
close to me by any tie, my whole
heart went out to my baby lover, and
any one who chooses may think me
fool when own that tear-I scarcely
know If it was sweet or bitter one
fell on that little smeared and blotted
scrawl. The next minute, however,
laughed heartily, and, although had
already sent Jack pretty valentine, I
resolved to write him an answer to his
letter, and to make it more legible to
him, l used my typewriter.
This is what said:
my DARLING: will wait for you until you
are quite man, and you shall always be my
only sweetheart. Who could help loving such
q dear pets Certainly not your own VAL"
IhlS l addressed to
Mr.. JOHN PosTLETHwA1TE, JR.,
Madison Avenue.
ran out and mailed it myself, and
then waited all day in expectation of
Jacks visit in the afternoon to ratify
our contract. By some chance he never
came. saw it was no use stopping
when Mr.. Postlethwaite passed out of
the Office without waiting for the car
riage, and as went home l bought
box of candied fruit, so that when he
came the next day we might have a
feast to celebrate the occasion.
! The same evening about eight was
in our little parlor, playing dreamy
melodies for my own delectation in the
dark, when ring came at the bell and
a minute after the colored damsel who
rules our household opened the door
with:
"a gemman to see you, Miss Valerie. -
l sprang to my feet, turned up the
gas and found myself face to face with
Mr.. Postlethwaite. To say that was
surprised would give no idea of my
feelings. l could just command voice
enough to offer him seat, which he
accepted, and, as sank into chair, |
noticed that he had typewriter note
in his hand-one which seemed IA
miliar to me. raised my eyes to his
and found them bent on me with a
curious but not ungentle expression,
and, without knowing why, the blood
rose to my cheeks in hot bushes.
81 ought to apologize for disturbing
you at this hour, Miss Claxton," he said
he had a pleasant voice. and it
sounded much less grave than usual.
"But am afraid have intercepted a
letter that was not intended for me.
am John Postlethwaite, Junior-my
father lives in the same house with me. "
saw it all now; but, good Heavens!
could not the man understand? Why
need he come to ask me? His baby
could have explained.
"Really," stammered, scarcely
J knowing what said. 81 didn't know
!, should have thought"
"Oh, don't apologize" he replied, and
his eyes laughed, though he still kept
his countenance. Nothing can be said
, to relieve my disappointment. For a
, moment indulged in wild hope that
it was a valentine for me; but quite
understand that l can not expect tc
rival my son. However, though neither
you nor he seemed to consider my con
} sent necessary thought would just
, call PIP and express my entire approva
} of Jacks choice"
We looked at each other, and both
laughed heartily. Who would have
thought that the grave Mr.. Postle
thwaite could laugh so merrily? Their
he drew his chair little nearer.
Miss Claxton," he said Il know yo,
a great deal better than you know me
l have watched you often when you Lit
tie suspected it, and besides, my. boy'
constant theme is VAL Children arr
close observers, and he couldn't be ST
fond of you without good reasons. Now
suppose we laid our heads together
don't you think we might devise plal
by which poor Jack wouldn't be KEEP
waiting so long?-"
'Mr. Postlethwaite--" interrupted
attempting to rise; but he restrained
me by placing his hand gently, bu
firmly, upon mine.
Miss Claxton." he said, earnestly
months ago began to love you for IN.
boys sake. soon learned to love yo,
for my own sake. Don't suppose tina
wish to startle you into an answer
e but tell me that there is no one deare
/, than Jack to rival me, and, if it is SO
!, let me have chance to win you 70
h myself"
p What will Jack say?" r1urmured
n with a smile could not repress.
It "Will you take his verdict" he cried
n eagerly. HE is outside in the carriage
b waiting most impatiently to be Above
:, to see his Val. You see didn't ventur
n to come without providing myself wit
d a champion.
n He hurried out, and minute aftel
Il ward returned with Jack in a state {
e intense excitement, who, being depo
tied on my lap, smothered me wit
IS kisses, and demanded an instant repl
d to his letter.
r Jack" said his father, before
d could answer, 'how would you like