Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-02-12

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 1egible to
him, used my typewriter.
This is what / said:
my DARLING: will wait for you until you
quite man, and you shall always be my
only sweetheart. Who could help loving such
dear pet? Certainly not your own VAL"
This 1 addressed to
Mr.. JOHN PosTLETHwAITE, 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 I bought a
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:
ga gemman to see you, Miss Valerie"
I sprang to my feet, turned up the
gas and found myself face to face with
Mr.. Postlethwaite. To say that I was
surprised would give no idea of my
feelings. I could just command voice
enough to offer him a seat, which he
accepted, and, as sank into a chair, I
noticed that he had a typewriter note
in his hand-one which seemed IA
miliar to me. 1 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 pleasant voice, and it
sounded much less grave than usual.
"But am afraid I have intercepted a
letter that was not intended for me.
am John Post1ethwaite, 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" 1 stammered, scarcely
knowing what [ said. 81 didn't know
1 should have thought"
sob, 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 INDUCED in a wild hope that
it was valentine for me; but / quite
understand that l can not expect to
rival my son. However, though neither
you nor he seemed to consider my con-
sent necessary, L thought 1 would just
call up and express my entire approval
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? Then
he drew his chair a little nearer.
Miss Claxton,'' he said, II know you
great deal better than you know me-
have watched you often when you lit
tie suspected it, and besides, my boys
constant theme is VAL Children are
close observers, and he couldn't be SO
fond of you without good reasons. Now
suppose we laid our heads together,
don't you think we might devise plan
by which poor Jack wouldn't be kept
waiting so long,"
s.Mr Postlethwaite-' I interrupted,
attempting to rise; but he restrained
me by placing his hand gently, but
firmly, upon mine.
Miss Claxton,'' he said, earnestly,
months ago / began to love you for my
boys sake. / soon learned to love You
for my own sake. Don't suppose that
I wish to startle you into an answer;
but tell me that there is no one dearer
than Jack to rival me, and, if it is so,
let me have a chance to win you for
myself"
.'What will Jack say?" 1 murmured,
with smile 1 could not repress.
''Will you take his verdict" he cried.
eagerly. ''He is outside in the carriage,
waiting most impatiently to be allowed
to see his Val. You see didn't venture
to come without providing myself with
a champion"
He hurried out, and minute after
ward returned with Jack in state OF
intense excitement, who, being depos-
tied on my lap, smothered me with
kisses, and demanded an instant reply
to his letter.
Jack" said his father, before
could answer, chow would you like to
have Val at once, without waiting to
grow up into a man?''
''What! n0ao?' cried the boy, opening
wide his big blue eyes ''Take her back
in the carriage?'
s.Well-no-I'm afraid we could
hardly hope for that" laughed his
father
..Well-achen?' demanded Jack.
Il think you and Valerie had better
settle that between you," was the
polite reply. Il am content to leave it
to you
'.Well, then, tomorrow said Jack,
decidedly.
Il don't seem to have much voice in
the matter cried. Mr.. Postlethwaite
you said you wouldn't hurry me
4 haven't had time to think yet wheth-
err care enough for you to marry you
at all"
Jack looked from one to the other of
us, and dawn of indignant comprehen-
sion quivered over his bright, little face.
''You's not going to marry papa" he
said, fixing his eyes on me finally.
s'You's going to marry me- asked you
frst!"
made little bow to Mr.. Postle-
thwaite.
You have your answer, sir,'' said.