Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-08-23
CHAPTER XXI.

It is unnecessary to state that Esme
lost no time in hurrying upstairs with the
letter in her hand. She did not go straight
to her own room and sat down in Big
wide window seat in the landing, where
there was plenty Of light, and where no
one was likely TO disturb her; and with
throbbing heart and trembling fingers she
drew, the following note from its enyel-
ope, unfolded it, held it close to the little
diamond panes, and read:
"Dear Mrs Brabazon-Your letter re-
ceived. / have debated with myself for
some time, and have come to the conclu-
sion that your views on the subject OF
the engagement between Esme and me
are quite right, and that there must be
an end to everything between US. l am,
as you say, miserably poor. have no
prospects, and | am the last man IN the
world to ask any sacrifice from girl L
cared for | shall not write to her, nor
seek to renew the ties, as you call them,
in any way. Some richer and some luck
Ter fellow will no doubt take my place be-
fore long. l remain, yours truly,
MILES BRABAZON."
Esme read this through twice, the first
time very quickly, the second time very
slowly, before she could realize what 1t
meant, and then, leaning her head against
the window pane, she closed her eyes and
tried to understand that Miles, of his own
accord, and of his own free will, had re-
nounced her; that some other luckier and
richer fellow than himself was welcome
to take his place!
Miles, that she had believed in; Miles,
that was Teddy's friend; that had pre-
tended to have loved her with all his
heart and soul; Miles-without word OF
regret, in half a dozen cold lines, written
in a steady, unfaltering hand, and con-
tanning no message for her Of either
friendship or concern-had calmly broken
off her engagement and renOunced her!
The blow was so unexpected, the revul-
sion Of feeling so hideous and so over
whelming, that she felt quite stunned;
her one dim ray of hope was eXtinguish-
ed, her golden dreams turned in an in
slant into thick, dark despair. What had
she left to live for now? Nothing but a
dreary, blank life stretched out before
her. Teddy was gone, and Miles was
gone! And she had been building vast
castles in the air, all based on his return.
Now when he did return, his return would
no longer concern her; he was nothing to
her, nor she to him! How Mrs. Braba-
zon would jeer! How Gussie would tri-
umph! The thought was maddening; but
all the thoughts that came crowding to
her brain were almost equally agOniZing.
The idea that Miles had been acting a
part, had only cared for the money and
not her, was the most stinging and pain
ful of all. Once he had led her to think
very differently; but whatever he said
then, there was no doubt of his Senti-
ments now.
After dinner, when they were alone in
the large, empty drawing room, with its
silent shadowy corners, seated near the
fire, one at either side, each with a book,
and each with a lamp, Mrs. Brabazon
could restrain herself no longer. She
glanced over at the bent brown head
across the hearth-rug, cleared her throat,
laid a new novel upside down on her lap
and said one word, a word that meant 9
good deal; it was a kind of conversational
rocket, the prelude to action, the word
"Well?'-a ''welI' that was at once in
terrogative, triumphant and authorita-
tive.
Esme raised her eyes and met her step
mothers derisive, malevolent smile, q
smile that she felt like a singing lash;
her stepmother's face alight with triumph
and athirst for information. She did not
speak, but she looked across the hearth
without lowering her lashes, or a change
Of color.
"Well?" repeated Mrs. Brabazon, reit
Grating the word in a still louder, more
aggressive key.
Oh, how Esme dreaded the coming dis
cussion,
What is it that you wish to know, Mrs
Brabazon?'
Il wish TO know your opinion of Miles
Brabazon now," she returned, promptly
His letter was to the point, was it not?
watching her companion closely.
Very much so" replied Esme, quietly
'My opinion Of him"
''Your opinion of him.? eagerly.
81 shall keep to myself. We are never
likely to meet again. All is over between
us, as he says, and if it is quite the same
TO you we will never recur to the sub
iect | was mistaken-we are all liable
to make mistakes-that was alll'' As Els
me said this her face was ashen white
tears SIOOu III ueT eyes, dIu neT NOlCe
do as she would, trembled with emotion.
You see you might just as well have
accepted Craven Hepburn, after ALL" OBJ
served Mrs. Brabazon, impressively.
Il do not see that it makes any diff
ference do not care for Mr.. Hepburn,
returned Esme, firmly, excepting as {
friend, and nothing would ever make m,
marry him. / shall never marry anyone
now" Her voice. as she spoke, wa:
quick and low.
Mrs. Brabazon Immediately draped her
self, as it were. in a garment of obtrusiv,
incredulity. smiled, poked the fire, cough
ed, turned up the lamp, and then remark
ed oracularly:
Every girl who has had a disappoint
ment says the same thing; but. if | an
not greatly mistaken. they general!
change their minds within six weeks o.
20, and marry. making very often fal
better match, just to show the youna
man that they think very little abou
him
Having thrown out. this suggestion K
her opposite neighbour Mrs. Brabazor
picked up her book, ana was soon lost Il
her immediate surrour lings in the perusa
Of an exciting ani rrsnantlc love story.
The next day Esmt walked down to tht
village and registered and posted smal
marcel for South Africa; with her owl