Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-31

very best company manners. Il think il
very nice of you. taking us unawares like
! this. without any formality."
"Unawaresr" be echoed; did you moi
get my letter.
| Your letter will probably arrive here
the day after tomorrow" said Tlcrian
sarcastically. Don't you know that we
live in the backwoods here. and have nc
second post! What did you put on the
envelope? Byford?"
Yes"
'Then that means that it stops in BY
ford postoiiice for twelve hours"
''You seem to be progressing since
was here last" said Miles, with a laugh,
glancing surreptitiously around in search
vf another figure.
"Gussie, my dear" said Mrs. Braba-
zan, interpreting the pause. with her
usual alertness of understanding, go and
tell \olleS 10 see about room at once,
and Brown to lay another plate, and, .
in Il stage whisper, ''let Esme know"
GussIe. having given some hasty direc-
tons to Nokes. rushed into the school
room with her great news. But it was
empty. So was the dining-rOOm; accord
inSly she ran up the shallow stairs, two
steps at time, breathless, to pant forth
the intelligence TO her sister, and plunged
into their mutual bedroom headIong. AT
the first glance there was no one to be
seen Stay. What was that limp, crum
pied object on Esme's white bed? Esme
herself? Never Esme, who had cast
herself down in at attitude of hopeless
misery, and seemed crushed oUt Of all
shape and form.
Why" pausing in mid-room, what
on earth is the matter? Are you ill?'
demanded Miss Brabazon, aghast.
No returned a choked voice half
buried in the pillows.
Then what are you about? Get up
this instant" imperiously. Mrs. Braba-
Zon says you are to come down at once;
Miles, your Miles is in the drawing
room
No answer.
''Esme. Do you hear me?" irritably.
eyes. of course, | hear you. I'm not
stOne-deaf," she moaned querulously;
then, all at once sitting erect, revealed
scarlet cheeks, swollen eyes, and a very
disheveled head.
y
her sister, amazed. Your nose is like a
plum"
Il should rather think l have" i'm
pressively. 'Gussie," she added slowly,
keeping her eyes intently fixed on her
companions face, did you ever hear of
anybody dying of shame? because l
SHALL
Look here, Esme," returned the other,
severely, this is no time for such non
sense. Dinner is just going in, and you
must come down. Mrs. B. says so.
Here" going over to the wash-stand,
and hastily pouring out some water, get
up and battle your eyes, and smooth your
hair, and don't be an idiot"
what will you say" inquired Esme,
slowly, getting off the bed and rising to
her feet, a tall and very much creased
young fgure-'what will you say" she
solemnly, when tell you that
I have seen him already, that l was a
long way the first to welcome him?'' with
a rather hysterical laugh
Have seen him? And when, if you
please?" disbelievingly.
AT the avenue gate! Oh, Gussie, |
don't think [ ever can leave this room
alive. l took him for Teddy"
And what harm if you did," replied
her sister.
Harm echoed Esme; "just listen, and
you will soon hear You know since nv
last letter from Teddy announcing his
home coming how I have been counting
the days and hours till he came, and |
was waiting for him near the white gate
ever since o'clock"
''Esme, how rash of you! Supposing
Mrs. B. had seen him skulking about"
calculated Gussie.
Il would not care two straws if she
lid. would meet him on the hall door.
steps in broad daylight" she painted,
But to go on. 1 waited
ages for Teddy, and at last l heard foot
steps, and saw someone that looked very
ike him coming along the road in the
Need [ saw that1 tore down
o the gate, threw it wide open, caught
lin in my arms, hugged him like a bear,
elling him l could hardly believe it, it |
vas too good to be true, that l had been |
counting the days till l saw him and al |
ogether was nearly beside myself with |
oy. l forcibly dragged him'into the light |
o feast my eyes with a good look at him, |
md | then discovered that | had been |
lugging a perfect stranger-a dark young |
nan, who did not seem to approve Of it |
It all, and who my prophetic instinct told |
ne was Miles Brabazon."
Go be continued)