Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-02-11

fruit, 80 that when he came the next day
we might have a feast to celebrate the
occasion.
The same evening about / was In our
little parlor, playing dreamy melodies
for my own delectation, In the dark,
when a ring came at the bell, and min
ute after the colored damsel who rules
our household opened the door with:
"A gemman to see you, Miss Valerie. !"
sprang to my feet, turned up the gas
and found myself face to face with Mr..
Posteltwaite. To say that 1 was sur
prised would give no idea Of my feelings.
1 could just command voice enough to
offer him seat, which he accepted, and,
as sank into a chair, 1 noticed that he
had type-written note In his hand-one
which seemed familiar to me. 1 raised
my eyes to his and found them bent on
me with curious but not urgent ex-
preston, and, without knowing why,
the blood rose to my cheeks In hot
bushes.
Il ought to apologize for disturbing
you at this hour, Miss Claxton, he said
he had a pleasant voice, and 1t sound
ed much less grave than usual. But I
am afraid that 1 have intercepted a let
ter that was not intended for me. am
John Postlewaite, Jr., my father lives In
the same house with me.
/ saw 1t 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 know
ing what 1 said. Il didn't know-I
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 INDUCED In a wild hope that
it was a valentine for me; but l quite
understand that cannot expect to rival
my son. However, though neither you
nor he seemed to consider my consent
necessary, thought would call up and
express nay entire approval of Jack s
| choice"
We looked at each other, and both
laughed heartily. Who would have
thought that the grave Mr.. Postle-
thwaite could laugh so heartily? Then
he drew the chair little nearer
Miss Claxton, he said, Il know you
a great deal better than you know me.
have watched you often when you lit
tie suspected IT., and, besides, my boy s
constant theme is Val Children are
close observers, and he couldn't be so
fond of you without good reason. 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"
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 l began loving you for my
4 boys sake. / soon learned to love you
for my own sake. Don't suppose that ]
wish to startle you into an answer; but
tell me that there is no one dearer than
Jack TO rival me, and, IL it be so, let me
have a chance to win you for myself.
What will Jack say?" murmured
with smile 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 seeI didn't venture
TO come without providing myself with q
champion"
| He hurried out, and in q minute after
ward returned with Jack in q 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, "how would you like to have
'Yap at once, without waiting to grow
up into a mani"
what! now?" cried the boy, opening
wide his big blue eyes. Take her back
in the carriage?"
"Well-no-I'm afraid we could hard
ly hope for that. laughed his father.
"Well-when?" demanded Jack.
Il think you and Valerie had better
settle that between you," was the poll
tic reply. Il am content to leave 1t to
you"
We'll, then, tomorrow" said Jack
decidedly.
Il don't seem to have much voice in
the matter" / cried. Mr.. Postleth-
thwaite-you said you wOuldn' hurry me
Il haven't had time to think yet
whether care enough for you to marry
you at all.
us and a 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
"You's going to marry mel asked you
flrsti"
1 made a little bow to Mr.. Postle-
thwaite.
"You have your answer, sir, said.
He sat down-this time on the sofa
beside me-and took Jack on his lap.
MY little son, ;" he said, coaxingly, I'll
Valerie waits until you are a man you
will only see her in the Office, and then
when you are a little bigger and go To
college you won't see her at all for
months at time. But IL you persuade
her to marry me she will be your very
own mamma and you will have her all
day long all to yourself while 1 am down
town She will wake you in the mern-
ing with kiss and sing you to sleep at
night. Don't you think that's better
than waiting2"
Jack put his little fat foreflnger in his
pouting mouth and looked steadily al
me, but declined to compromise himself
by any remark
Persuade him, Valerie" said his
father, entreatingly, to me.
Not II" 1 exclaimed. Settle It be-
tween YOU"
Suddenly Jack transferred himself to
my lap. "Will you always kiss me in
the morning when l awakep" he said.
1 looked out of the corner of my eye
at his father, and bit my lip, without
answering.
"Will you, val-dear Val2" pleaded
Jack. How could / refuse to say yes.
And sing me to sleep nights?" he per-
sisted.
Again was constrained to say yes.
His sweet eyes frightened, and he threw
his chubby arms around my neck.
1 placed him gently in his fathers