Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-11-07
TWO LETTERS.

GulHk liz likes Ilt, HuSel Y lCUUIin
Grant. ''Was it bold or unwomanly in me
to walk down to the gate with him to-
night Ought to have hidden him goodby
here in the parlor? Yet I don't think he
will misconstrue my conduct, for-I think
he likes me-"
And what did. Calcott Brown think as
he was whirled through the sleeping moon.
light landscapes by the swift impetus Of
steam9
:. And when the flinty hearted conductor
broke in the delicious thread Of his mus
ings with "Boynville" Calcott wondered
what had become of the hours.
His carriage was ready, with the swift,
slender limbed bays, and all the way home
he still pondered on Victoria Grants blue
gray eyes.
IF she were only waiting to welcome
mel" he exclaimed half aloud as the car
riage stopped before the Ionic portico of the
stately old stone mansion on the hill.
Somehow the place never seemed so utter
ly lonesome to me before.
"Why didn't l ask her tonight when
stood there with her little apple blossom of
hand in miner Because was coward.
l could no more have spoken out the ques-
ton nearest to my heart than could have
burst into an original Greek chorus"
Hesat few minutes in dreamy, thought
full silence, then drew the desk closer to
him.
"k Bryan down stairs, Mrs. Tennant?"
II believe he is, SIR"
"Tell him to carry these two letters to tho
post Immediately"
yves, SIR"
Mrs. Tenant paused in the hall below ia
decipher their directions with all the curl
osity of her charming sex.
Isaac Plummerl That's the man that
wants the master to buy his horse. Miss
Victoria Grant, Who's Miss Victoria
Grant, Well, should like to know!'
And musing deeply, with many shakes OF
her head, Mrs. Tenant delivered the letters
to Bryan.
"a letter."
Victoria Grant examined the superscrip.
ton and postmark, and then she stole away
to her own room to read it all by herself.
"He has written to me-" she murmured
softly. "Oh, wonder what he says!"
She broke open the note and read it while
her cheek first grew pale and then fired into
Dlazlng, burning scarlet;
wish you to understand once for all that
there is no use in any further interviews be-
tween us. Your decoying arts and specious
smoothness are of no avail as far as l am con-
cerned, and it may save us both some unpleas-
antness If you understand it at once. What
could induce you to suppose care to possess a
creature whose age and appearance are equally
preposterous2 trust this note will do away
with the necessity of my seeing you again.
Yours sincerely and frankly.
CALcoTT Brown.
Victoria dropped the note as if it had
been thing of fire. She did not shed
tear; she did not relapse, womanlike, into
Mysteries; she only felt, poor creature! as il
band of redhot iron were pressing on he1
forehead and her heart were turned to ice
The clear morning air was blue as sap.
phire, the grass was silvered over with hoar
frost, as Calcott Brown walked into the
depot, his overcoat buttoned up to the throat,
almost running against an elderly individ-
ual in rusty garments.
Hello, squire. Going to Brookfeld9"
Mr.. Brown nodded stiffly.
"Why, was jist maxim for your house
You said you'd call and get the answer, but
l know my place heap sight too we'll for
that. And il you've really took sech q
dretful fancy to the mare. why"-
The color rushed to Calcott Browns
| temples as he snatched the note from Isaac
Plummer's by no means lily white hand
and hurriedly glanced over its contents
Alas! the horrible surmise that had shot
across his mind while the old man was
pressing over it was but too correct The
note intended for Victoria Grant had beer
sent to Isaac Plummer, the horse jockey!
| II won't be hard with ye, squire" said
the old man, taking huge pinch Of shae
tobacco between his grimy fingers and
thumb, you may have her for $500, though
she's worth more than that any day"
Fire and furies!" muttered Calcott as he
thought of the other horn of the dilemma
twas ever man such blind, idiotic fool as
/ have beenf Here-a ticket for Brookfield
quick!'
The whistle of the advancing train was
almost audible, and as he sprang upon the
platform he could hear Isaac Plummel
bawling after him:
Say s475, squire"
The brilliant chrysanthemums in the gar
den nodded their glowing heads meaningly
at him as he walked up the path; the sun
shine lay on the doorsteps serenely as h
knocked on the old eagles head.
Miss GRANTS she at homer"
Miss Victoria Is at home, sir, but sh,
babe me say she would receive no company
today" said staid old Hannah, eying tn.
gentleman distrustfully.
II must see her!'' exclaimed Calcott
pushing past the old woman.
miss Victoria babe me say"-began thu
servant, but Calcott waited to hear ne
more. The next moment he was face t.
face with Victoria Grant herself.
She had risen and stood with one hant
on the table, her face very pale, but com
posed.
Victoria! you will at least hear me il
my own defense!'
II have heard from you, Mr.. Brown,
she said frigidly, extending toward hin
the fatal letter.
He caught it from her hands and tore i
into score Of pieces.
This note was never intended for you
Victoria. 1t was written on business to ,
man who has long been annoying me. L
was put into the wrong envelope. Wha
must you have thought of me- Victorian"
The color returned once more to Victoria
cheek, and sitting down beside her, will
her hand not withdrawn from his Calcot
Brown told her all.-R. X. H. in Buffal,