Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-08-16

especially fTam q lynx eyed lady, gCch Rs
Mrs. Brabazon. Air. Hepburn's infatu-
alton for her stepdaughter was one OF
tkena. She was alarmed about 4 week
later to casually overhear at an afternoon
tea that young Hepburn had sent his
hunters up to TatteraaIFs and was going
abroad Immediately, 10 Nice or Monte
Carlo" What did it mean? Had he pro-
posed or notI She must see Esne about
it at once, and her mind was in perfect
fcrment Of impatience till she reached
home and rang for Nokes to send Miss
Brabazon TO her in her own room as sooD
as possible. Esme was soon On the spot.
shut the door, said her stepmother
the instant she appeared, and come over
here. / wish TO speak to you. | want to
ask you a question" she proceeded, look
ing fxedly at her stepdaughter. Il heard
to-day that young Hepburn had Suddenly
sent ali his hunters up to Tattersail's and
gone abroad. Perhaps You know what
it means? Can yoa teii me the reason OF
this unaccountabIe conduct?
Il? |, Mrs. Braba&on:" stammered
Esme, family. Why should you ask
lae?"
Come, come, this fencing is no use.
The man was head over ears III love with
you. Is it possible that he has gone away
without speaking?' she asked III tone
of resentfUl wonder.
To this she received no answer. Esme
sat quite still. her eyes glued on one par
ticular pattern in the carpet, and made
10 reply. However, she had become ez-
tremcly and painfully red.
He proposed to you, l see And
when?" demanded Mrs. Braba@on, au-
thoritatively
Last week" returned Esme, in low
voice, not d1mng to raise her eyes.
And what did you say, might be per-
mitted to ask" proceeded Mrs. Bra6a-
z0n in ccnvulsive tones.
Il said-ncr replied Esme, scarcely
daring to speak above her breath.
You SAID no." almost screamed her
stepmother, now rising to her feet. said
10. TO the heir TO twenty-five thousand
year. to the finest emeralds III England.
Oh!' casting her bonnet on the bed With
such furious impetus that it rolled or 1t
at the other side, Il can't believe 1t. You
could not-not lie so wicked. 1t rs I'M
possible"
To this harangue Esme made no reply,
evidently she had been quite capable OF
this outrageous deed. After glaring at
her down-faced companion for some sec
onds Mrs. Brabazon said hoarsely:
Il should like to know what YOU said
to him, and why you refused him; Ill tace'
l insist upon hearing your reasons, de-
marded the lady, with lurid gaze.
Visions of her beautiful castle In the
air, her stepdaughter's high position ID
the county, and her own increased impor-
tance, were now dispensing like mists be-
fore the sun.
Your reason, miss, at once" with an
imperious gesture.
My reason was" returned Esme.
TREMENDOUSLY, Observation-Disclosures OF
Miles,
Because of Miles. Forsooth, and
pretty reason Do you mean to say you
would hold to your engagement still, and
marry him if he would have you, you
idiot?"
Il would" rejoined the victim, firmly,
raising her eyes now for the first time.
And what would you say If Miles
would not have anything to do with you!
What would you say if you were told
that, now the money was gone, Miles was
not such a fool as to marry girl without
a penny? What would you say if Miles
broke off the match?'
Il would simply say nothing, for l
would not believe it." returned Esme, also
rising, and casting a tall, pale reflection
into mirror in an opposite wardrobe.
Il suppose if you saw it in his own
handwriting you would believe it. Seeing
is believing. Will that convince you
taking a letter from her desk and handing
it to Esme.
Go be continucd.l