Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-11-14
CHAPTER XXI.

On nor own room and sat down in q big,
vide window seat in the landing, where
tbsra was plenty of light, and where nd
one was likely 10 disturb her; and with
,brobblug heart and trembling fingers she
drew the following note from its envel-
one. unfolded il. held it close to the little
diamond panes, and read:
Dear Mrs. Brabazon-Your letter re-
ceiyed. | 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 erything between US. l am,
as you say. miserably poor. l have no
prospects. and | am the last man in the
world To ask any sacrifice from a girl
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
ier 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 it
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-
uouuced her; that some other luckier and
richer fellow than himself waS welcome
10 take his place!
Miles. that she had believed in; Miles,
that was Teddy's friend; that had pre-
tended 10 have loved her with all his
heart and soul; Miles-without a word of
regret, in half dozen cold lines, written
IL a steady, unfaltering hand, and con
tanning no message for her Of ctsAer
friendship or concern-had calmly hfoken
off her engagement and renounced her.
The blow was SO unexpected, the revul-
sion of feeling so hideous and SO over
wheImiug. that she felt quite stunned;
her one dim ray OF hope was e1tinguish-
eli. her golden dreams turned in an in
staut into thick, dark despair. What had
she left 10 live for now? Nothing but .
dreary, blank life stretched out before
her. Teddy was gone, and Miles was
gone, And she had been building vast
castles i'll the air. all based on his return.
Now when he did return, his retr- a would
no longer concern her; he was nothing to
her. nor she to him! How Mrs. Braba-
zon would jeeri How Gussie would tri-
umph. The thought was maddeninS; but
al! the thoughts that came crowding to
her brain were almost equally agOnizing.
The idea that Miles had been acting q
part, had only cared for the money and
not her, was the most singing 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 sent
ments now.
After dinner, when they were alone IN
the large, empty drawing room. with Its
silent shadowy corners. seated near the
~, -. N
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
good deal; it was a kind Of conversational
rocket, the prelude to action, the word
"WeIlY'-a well that was at once IN
terrogative, triumphant and authorita-
tive.
Esme raised her eyes and met her step
mothers derisive, malevolent smile' a
smile that she felt like 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 change
OF color.
"WeuY" 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 ksme' quieuy'
My opinion of him
Your opinion of him! eagerly.
Il 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 SUD
iect. | was mistaken-we are all hapie
TO make mistakcs-that was all! As Es-
me said this her face was ashen whi'e'
tears stood in her eyes, and her VOICE.
do as she would, trembled with emotion.
You see you might just as well nave
accepted Craven Hepburn, after an oo'
served Mrs. Brabazon, impressively-
Il do not see that it makes any dif-
ference. do not care for Mr.. Hepburn
returned Esme, firmly, excepting as
friend, and nothing would ever make me
marry him. / shall never marry anyone
now" Her voice, as she spoke, was
quick and low.
Mrs. Brabazon Immediately draped her
self. as it were, in a garment OF ootrusift
incredulity, smiled. poked the hre. cough
ed. turned I'D the lamp, and then remark
ed oracularly:
Every girl who has had dlsappoin'
ment says the same thing: bur, II l an
not greatly mistaken. they generan!
change their minds within SIX weeks "
so, and marry. making very often Ia
better match. Just to show the youhi
man that they think very little Aoou
him." :,
Having thrown out this suggestion y
her opposite neighbor, Mrs. braoa]oi
picked I'D her book, and was soon los. y
her immediate surroundings in the perus"
of an exciting and romantic love stolyi
The next day Esme walked down W .n
village and registered and posted q sa,
parcel for South Africa; with neI w"
hands she dropped it into the depths
the letter box. 1t was not every day .n
MaxtOn correspondence mao sue"
Die companion as two diamond eatfms
brooch, and ring, all Of the hrst w.
and all bought with the price OF .
Burmese race ponies. Esme mao n
worn them since that fatal day ias. "a,
tember; but she had often taken tne -.
OF their cases and looked at tnen
tiOnately. =,
Esme made a successful struss.e
keep I'D appearances and to show d pi ,.,
front. She never finched, never -,
pushed the strong hold on nes