Smyrna times., 1893-10-04
THE TWO LETTERS.

y
asked Victoria, in low voice.
"When shall I be sure of a well
come ?"
"Always ~
He gave the little hand farewell
pressure as he relinquished his hold of
it.
Victoria went back to the house to
think of Calcott Browns last words,
while Squire Grants deep bass snoring
from the sofa in the corner kept up
solemn undercurrent of sound.
Victoria Grant was no longer in her
first flush of girlish beauty; in fact, she
was past 80, yet she was very lovely
a rose in its full, perfect bloom, rather
thar bud.
81 think he likes me-" mused Vic
toria.
"Was it bold or unwomanly for me
to walk down to the gate with him to-
night? Ought to have hidden him
good bye here in the parlOr? Yet l
don't think he will miscontrue my
conduct, for-I think he likes me-"
And what did CaIcott Brown think,
as he was whirled through the sleep
ing moonlight landscapes by the swift
impetus of steam?
And when the flinty hearted con-
ductor broke in upon the delicious
thread of his musings with "BOynville,"
Calcott wondered what had become Of
the hours.
We've made pretty good time,
haven't we, conductor?" he asked,
stepping down from the platform.
about as usual, Mr.. Brown.
rather guess you've been asleep, ell ?"
Asleep! Brown mentally secuted
the idea as he stood buttoung up his
coat and watched the train glide away
like some enormous 1ire-thrOated ser
pent. Asleep! he had been in Para
disc
His carriage was ready, with the
swift, slender-limbed bays, and all the
way home he still pondered on Vic
toria Grants blue-gray eyes.
IF she were only waiting to well
come mew he exclaimed, half aloud,
as the carriage stopped before the
Ionic portico of the stately old stone
mansion on the hill. somehow, the
place never seemed so utterly lone
some TO me before"
why didn't | ask her tonight,
when l stood there with her little
apple-blossom Of hand in mine? Be
cause was a coward l could no
more have spoken out the question
nearest to my heart than | could have
burst into an original Greek chorus"
He sat five minutes in dreamy
thoughtful silence, then drew the desk
closer to him.
rs Bryan downstairs, Mrs Ten.
nant?"
II believe he is, sir"
Tell him to carry these two letters
to the post Office Immediately"
"Yes, sir"
Mrs. Tenant paused in the hall be
low to decipher their directions with
all the curiosity of her charming sex.
Isaac Plummer! That's the mar
that wants the master to buy his horse
Miss Victoria Grant Who's Mis-
Victoria Grant? Well, l should lik,
to knOww
And, musing deeply, with many
shakes of her head, Mrs. Tenant &c
livered the letters to Bryan.
"A letter :"
Victoria Grant examined superscript
ion and pOstmark, and then she stol
away to her own room to read it all b,
herself.
HE has written to me-" she mur
INJURED softly. Oh, wonder what h
saysW
She broke open the note and read
with cheek that frs: grew pale an
then fred to blazing, burning scarlet
So it read
wish you to understand once 70
! all, that there is n use in any furthe
interviews between US. Your decoy
ing arts and specious smoothness ar
of no avail, as far as l am concerned
1 and it may save us both some uI
l pleasantness if you understand it a
once. What could induce you to SUI
v pose | care to possess a creature who's
!; age and appearance are equally pr'
r posterOus? thrust this note will
t away with the necessity of my seein
you again.
;. Yours, sincerely and frankly,
: CALCoTT Brown.
i Ky;oto.; l.....1 A. 49, &c