The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-01-26

The face that the mirror reflected
was framed in a cloudy mass of hair,
set like an aureole round the daintily-
poised head. Hazel eyes, half yelled
by the long lashes. looked wistfully
from under level, clearly defined eye
brows; creamy complexion; and
smiling mouth, whose half-opened red
lips disclosed the whiteness of the
small, even teeth, completed the pic
ture.
Beauty was the one possession left
to Janetta, and tonight she priced it
more than she had ever done before
as possible means to an end. What
if the simple fact that she was pretty
should win for her the situation she
so longed to obtain?
Il shall send her my prettiest photo,
Neville" she said, after her brief self
survey.
You don't even know the sex Of
the advertiser. 1t may be widower
advertising darkly for number two."
suggested her brother.
Janetta laid down her pen In some
alarm.
Il don't care" she said; II shall
write and send my photo and refer
ences. The answer will tell us all
about it. ! think It's very rich old
maid, with poodle and a parrot.
shall probably have to wash the
poodle, and play pretty Poll with
endless Jumps of sugar, and get my
fingers well packed in the process.
There! my letter is at any rate short
and to the point Will it do?" she
said, tossing 1t over to Neville.
"A man could not have put the thing
better. Old maid or widower, would
close with you at once If l were the
advertiser. You write short note
and a pretty hand y
Very well, we'll go out and post
it," said Janetta. stretching out her
hand for her hat. May good luck
attend IT.!
She received an answer by return
of post The pointed handwriting in
which the letter was written was of
the style prevalent about 40 years
ago.
An old maid! Look at the writ
ing!" cried Janetta triumphantly, as
she opened the envelope
There is a modern brevity about
It," said Neville, peeping over her
shoulder. Read 1t out, there's
dear"
Dear Madam: / think you seem
likely to suit me. The salary offer
Is ESQ pounds year; but l shall be
willing to raise 1t at the end of the
first quarter if we find we get on to-
gether. Will you come for month
and see how you like It, beginning on
Monday?
Can you leave by the train which
starts from Paddington at 2 o'clock?
shall be sending to Northcliff Sta
ton meet friend, and you could come
by the same carriage. Wire reply.
Believe me, faithfully yours,
.(Miss) Clarice Seymour
Janetta and her brother burst into
simultaneous laugh when she finished
the letter. &
Either the woman is lunatic or
it's hoax said Neville.
I'll go and see for myself It's too
good an opening to miss. Sixty pounds
year for doing nothing. apparently.
No mention even OF the poodle or the
parrot. Anyhow, it's genuine place:
I've looked it out in the Gazetteer
Thus 1t came to pass that, on the
Monday following, Janetta and Neville
paced up and down Paddington sta
ton together, both their hearts too
full Of the approaching separation to
trust themselves to speak Of It.
Instead, they talked Of triyialties,
watched the other passengers as they
hurried down the platform to the
train, commenting idly upon them.
Look, hewlett what handsome
man that is getting into the frst-class
carriage not far from my humble
third. II he were a girl. and applied
for my situation, I should not have
chance. should !? He's SO very good
looking
The man IN question turned. as II
he had heard the remark, glancing at
the brother and sister, who had come
to halt before the carriage In which
Janetta had placed her rugs.
The glance was but momentary. He
signed to the porter, who followed
him, to hand III his belongings, jumped
into the carriage. and closed the door.
II believe he heard you, Jennie"
said Neville quickly.
IL he did it can't matter. We shall
never meet again, and It can't be the
hrst time that he's heard he's good
looking :, said JAnetta, with . little
laugh. III
oh, Neville. ! must get In! don't
know how To say good-by. will write
tonight. Go0d-by. dear: good-by.,
Jump ii ! minute. must kiss you;