Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-05
TIME FOUND HER OUT

He loved her. He meant to tell herso
and the moment for doing SO had come.
The fluffy golden head was very near, 8
few words had been spoken, when the
door opened and Ella Stanton entered.
A frown clouded the brow Of DR..
Ralph Stanton, the eminent young ply.
sician who every body declared would
make his fortune in his profession, and
pretty Nellie Saville escaped, glad tt
hide her flushed cheeks from her cous.
ms jealous eyes.
Mrs Stanton threw herself languidly
into the depths of all easy chair. $50 ]
have found you at last, my dear Ralph.
I have been seeking you for the last
hour. -
He hated this woman in spite of hel
dark, witching beauty. His uncle had
found that beauty irresistible and by a
late marriage robbed his nephew Of the
quarter Of million which he had taught
him to expect would one day be his.
"What did you want with me?" he
asked CURLY.
"You are cross. wanted your soci.
ety-nothing more. Is there anything
strange in that?"
"Most flattering of you, my dear
aunt, I am sure.
1t was Mrs. Stanton g turn to frown.
Don't call me by that hateful name.
If did marry your uncle you might re-
member that I am not yet 25.. By the
way, Nellie Saville quits the teens next
week.
'Indeedp'
eyes. Charming girl, isn't she?
Really, Ralph, if you should see the dis
NAL hole of a parsonage where that girls
parents live you would feel grateful to
me for my compassionate generosity in
taking her from it for little while.
Are you going to Lady Oampbell's this
afternoon, Ralph?"
ono. I detest tea and tennis -
$50 do I. Besides, have headache.
Will you prescribe for me?'
After the majority Of Mrs. Oakbrook' 8
guests had departed for Campbell House
DR.. Stanton was pacing the lawn with
Sir John Dolby, smoking cigarettes and
talking politics, and indoors his relative
occupied velvet lounge and tried to
read the last new novel.
He came to her at last, but it was
with serious face and an open telegram
in his hand.
"My sister has met with an accident.
Levison wants me to 60 at once"
sob, Ralphl Is it serious? You will
return here?"
II think not, he returned, replying
to the latter question.
"Yon will come to Melton Willows at
Christmas, Ralph"
II really cannot promise. Goodbye
She sat there until the sound Of the
horses hoofs had died away. Then she
crossed the room and looked at the notes
he had written. One was for his hostess
apology and explanation, of course.
but the other was for Miss Saville. A
moments hesitation; then she tore it
open.
DEAR Miss SAvILLE-Beforey you see this you
will know the reason of mysudden departure.
But l cannot wait until our next meeting for
the answer to the question should have asked
you this morning ii Mrs. Stanton's entrance
had not prevented me from doing so. Iwant
you to be my wife, Nellie; my loved and hon
ored wife. Will you? Write yes or no soon to
your loving but impatient RALPH.
A small fire burned in the CRATE. She
put the letterinto her pocket and burned
the envelope.
u
"Dear Ralph" murmured the lady.
II want you to write to him for me,
Nellie. He promised to let me know
how his sister was, but suppose he has
not had time He does not know your
handwriting. / think"
Very soon Ella Stanton had dictated
a gushing, affectionate letter, and with
blanohing cheeks Nellie had written it.
Don't close it now, Nellie. Throw
it aside. There is only one other that
need be written now"
what is it?" Nellie asked a triae
YEARLY.
"Why, you know, dear, Mr.. Graham
wants me to open the Brixton bazaar,
but really don't feel equal to the task.
I must write to decline. But he always
laughs at nerves, and do SO hate being
at"
MY DEAR FR1BND-I have thoughtfully con-
sidered the subject and must decline the hon
or. am grieved beyond expression to disap
point you; but, feeling as lido, cannot act 9TH
erwise. However, feel confident that you
will meet with one worthier than I ; that what
cannot grant she will joyfully concede. Only
one thing ask-that this shall in no way In
terfere with the friendly relations which have
always existed between us.
II think 1t 10 making too much Of q
little thing, Ella. You will sign it, Of
course?"
"No, dear. Do it for. me-only ini-
tials. How singular that they should be
alike. is it not-Ella Stanton and Elinor
SavilleP There, now. dear, just run up
.tairs and zee If Louise has mended that
lace I tore last night 4
a moment more, and Ralph Stanton's
'imple, honest letter lay open before