Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-07-26
CHAPTER XVI.

ShAE1hh Az l.
"What has happened now? whence this
beaming face and these seraphic smiles?
inquired Gussie, raising her eyes lazily
from her book, as her sister entered the
room.
''I've just had a letter from Miles," re-
piled Esme, hastily advancing with an
air of bashful elation; ''such a nice let
ter!'
"Oh, is that it?" rejoined Miss Braba-
zon, in a very wintry tone Of voice. And
pray what has he got to say for himself?'
"Oh, of course he is in u dreadful state
of mind. l believe it is really worse for
him now than it ever was for me" lem
iently.
81 should hope so,' with a little, angry
sniff. 81 should humbly trust that he
was pretty thoroughly ashamed of him
self and his insane and idiotic behavior.
You got out Of the business better than
could have been expected, thanks to Mrs.
BIS presence Of mind and talent for in
vention; assuring everyone that at the
very last minute Miles had been compeu-
ed to go on foreign service"
''Thar only passed with outsiders" said
Esme, shaking her head; ''of course all
the servants and the villagers and the
Bells knew; and the way people used to
stop on the road and look after me, Or
whisper together and point, was too, too
dreadful"
'The little trip you took with Aunt
Jane smoothed over matters; that and
Mrs. BIS courageous fabrications; so
don't be ungrateful."
EYES," obviously; Gin kind of way;
but still I am always fancying that peo-
pie are staring at me and talking about
me-"
Nonsense, my dear. Your affair is
forgotten long ago; you are not of such
Importance as you imagine; it was only
nine days wonder"
Eyes, l dare say you are right, Gussie;
people have had heaps of other things to
think about. Ah!'' now drawing long
sigh of relief, ''of course it does not mat
ter, as it's all right
What on earth do you mean" de-
manded Augusta, sharply, turning half
round in her chair, and surveying her Sis
ter critically.
81 mean that the wedding dress, locked
away upstairs, will be worn, after all,
when he comes home," said Esme shyly.
To this remark there was no answer for
at least a minute, and then Gussie said
very decidedly:
"Esme, you must be mad; you would
not think of marrying him now?' speak
ing as it were in capital letters.
"And pray, why not?" regarding her
sister with angry bushes.
"He did not say anything about it in
his letter, did he?" apprehensiVely.
"There was no occasion; we are as
much engaged as before; there is no
change"
"No change! Oh, dear, no-certainly
not, by no meansv' sarcastically. What
are you going to live upon, you goose?
Your money is being turned into bricks
and mortar at the other side Of the globe,
and Miles is a genteel pauper, who will
find quite enough to do to keep himself,
much less you, and your excellent appe-
tite," with homely candor.
"But''- -hesitatingly-"but, Gussie, 1
have some money"
''Not a penny unless you marry to
please Mrs. B., and she hates Miles like
poison"
81 think you are very unkind to say
all these horrid things" returned Esme
Indignantly and with suspicion of tears
! in her voice. '"This is not the way / take
your good news, when you have any;
and you always pretended to like Miles
so much"
$50 / do, my sweet, silly sister, as a
cousin, but not as brother-in-law. Just
sit down here" giving a chair a little
push, "and listen, for a few minutes, to
sound common sense. When Miles was
an eligible parti, you would not marry
him; your accepting him at all was SIM
ply because you saw him do a plucky
thing at Scarborough, and, carried off
your feet by the emotion of the moment,
you said yes; and then the wedding was
hurried on, and the dresses and presents
were such delicious novelties you had not
the heart to go back! But you were new
er one bit in love with him; you would
rather have Teddy's little finger than
! fifty Mileses."
s'You are wrong, quite wrong; every
word you have said has been wrong"
cried Esme, with blazing cheeks; ''be-
cause Miles and Gid not make an hum
bling exhibition Of ourselves and sit hand
IN hand and arm in arm like other peo-