The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-05-15

thought.
He could easily explain to her his re-
quest Thank heaven, he had not COM
mitted himself!
Miss Wellington turned to him with a
smile
so you are here this evening. Do
you enjoy it?''
Il have not-untn now"
!; What did it matter if that sweet
speech was false, it was very neat. At
any rate it brought beautiful color
to the soft cheek of the maiden before
him.
SIS it not beautiful in here?' she said.
'Yes, it is fit setting for you"
"Now you are hattering me-"
Indeed am not; I am always truth
full" and>he threw world of counterfeit
tenderness into the dark eyes he turned
upon her.
1t was only a step from that to some
thing more-and he took it.
Holding her soft, white hand in his,
he began:
tired of lonely life. Iwant some one
to share my griefs and joys. VIII you
be my wifeY'
"Really-I-hardly know" she began.
At that moment gay voices were heard
coming in their direction, and she drew
her hand away from his clasp.
In another moment the lively party
were in sight, and he had only time to
murmur, II will write tomorrow-will
you reply?"
"Yes," and presently the cool, retired
place was invaded by the merrymakers,
and Laurence Weston beat hasty re-
treat
The next day he wrote the two letters
he had promised-for he was a man of
his word
To Miss Sturtevant he wrote this:
DEAR MISS BLANcHE-I wish to apollo
gise to you for some remarks / made to you
last night. and to say that have changed my
mind concerning the matter spoke of. 1t was
really Of no consequence, and / beg you will
not give it any thought 1t was only an idle
question, which merely amounted to nothing,
and in fact the cause which existed for my re-
quest no longer exists. Please treat the whole
affair as a joke. and oblige. Yours,
L. WESTON
On another sheet of the fine cream
note paper he always used he wrote to
Miss Wellington thus.
DEAR MISS BI.ANCHK-Had time permitted
last night 1 should have urged you to ACCEPT
my hand and heart. But the crowd was so
great and the opportunity for private CONVEX
sation so limited that it was impossible. You
promised to write to me-may hope for a ia
vorable answ er? II so, please appoint a time for
me to call and tell you all would say more
fully than can commit it to paper. Yours.
l.. WESTON
There" as he folded both letters and
placed them in their envelopes, ct feel
sure of her reply"
This was in the morning, and in the
evening Fred Bent dropped in. as was
his custom.
For few moments the two men
smoked in silence.
Then there was a knock on the door.
which Mr.. Weston answered.
When he came back into the room he
held in his hand two letters
eff you will excuse me. Fred, will
read these" he said.
''Oh, certainly ahead From the
fair charmers, suppose"
Laurence Weston opened the letters at
random.
The first read like this:
DEAR Mr. WEsroN-Although your proposal
was great surprise to me, for always thought
you were not q marrying man. can say that ]
am inclined to regard it-and you-favorably.
II you will call tomorrow at 10 shall be glad
to receive you. Yours,
BLANCHE STURTEvANT.
Blank dismay was pictured on his
features as he opened the other, and
read:
Mr.. Weston:
DEAR SIR-It is entirely immaterial to me
whether your language of last night was a joke
or not, and no apologies are necessary. Allow
me to advise you, though, that in well regu-
lated society such jokes are considered insults
to a woman Yours,
BLANCHE WELLINGTON.
What's the matter, Laurie? You
look as though you had had a shock, d"
said Bent
so l have. Here, read these" and he
pushed the letters toward his friend.
Bent read them.
Then he burst into hearty laughter.
"What are you laughing at2' asked
Weston
"Ha, ha! Because really, old fellow,
can't help it. It's too good-we1, if it
isn't rich. Did you mean to do itP'
''Mean to do what?'
"Can you ask me?" said Bert, tragic
ally, waving the two sheets of scented
note paper in the air.
what have l done? For heavens
sake tell me if you can, Fred"
''Is it possible that you don't know?
1ou are not very shreWd, Laurie, or else
you are in love, and love, you know. is
'proverbially Blind"
''Go on," said Laurence impatiently
"Why, man alive, you put your letters
In the wrong envelopes. as near as can
see."
A sudden ray of intelligence dar6ed
over Weston's face
II believe l did," he said ruefully,
.'and see what a scrape have drawn my
devoted head into"
Gould you make it up with Miss
Welhngtonr'
81 feel sure could. But Miss Sturte-
want has practically accepted me. and
see how must insult her."