CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1902-11-06
THE
y TELEGRAPH


Lazily Linyard watched the blue
coated figure toiling slowly up the hill
from the station. Who. he wondered,
had sent town messenger out to
woodcrestf He was half tempted to
rise and meet the lad. but the June day
had an enervaung breath, and, besides,
the note might be for Clifford.
Clifford owned Woodcrest, and Lin
yard had only run down for the week
end. Presently the boys slow feet
crunched upon the gravel walk. Cliff
ford stepped out through the library
window.
"Bet the cigars it's for you, Walt" he
suggested. "or. better still. from Jane
Burton"
Linyard flushed, though he tried TO
speak careiessiy as he said. "I'll take
you. for there's no such luck"
The boy was at the step Eow. and
both men reached out their hands.
For Mr.. Walter Linyard." the
youngster said a. he reached out a
square envelope addressed In hand
that caused Linyard's heart to beat
fast.
Clifford chuckled. II win." he de-
clared. And Linyard. deep In perusal
Of his letter. could only nod assent.
The eager face turned to blank aston
ishment. however. as he read. When
he reached the familiar signature. he
began and read II all over again and
then burst out:
'-This is quite beyond me-
-Any way can help. old many'
Tynvor ri fhruaf he Iatt In hIa ha nd
and this Ii what clifford read:
Town. June s.
Ny Dear Mr.. Linyard-Forgive me for
ny refusal to answer you when you did
ne the honor . week ago of asking me to
marry you. l will have to explain tn. Pc
ouliar position In which ! am placed.
When | made my debut in society last
tall. my aunt. who. as you know. has been
both father and mother to me. made mo
promise that I would accept no proposal
until the end Of nay first season. and nov
that the season is ended ind myself IN
. dilemma. There are seven men among
whom l really cannot decide You are
one Of the seven.
I have therefore decided 10 leave the
decision In the hands of fate and the en-
tsrpriss of those who seek my hand. I
am leaving on the American liner today.
and / will accept the first proposal to
reach me from one of the seven.
Letters similar to this will be delivered
half An hour after the steamer sails to
the other six, that you may all have
an even cha noe. II rests with you. Faith
fully yours. JEANETTE BURTON.
clifford handed back the letter with
. low whistle. Cant say blame her
much. though" he remarked "she was
BY far the prettiest debutante Of the
season. and the chaps OF our set are 10
much alike It's hard to choose betweeB
them. Going In to wtnr'
Linyard nodded, then squared his
shoulders reassuringiy A. he said. I'm
going to cable Queenstown to catch
the steamer In the channel"
THAT will be nice" returned Clifford
comfortingiy. BY that time she will
have had time to write letters to four
out Of the other nve telling them the
lucky man got his wireless telegram
aboard at Nantucket"
Linyard gritted his teeth. Then he
turned to his friend desperately. See
here; I've simply got to get my proposal
In nrst. How can I do itr'
But clifford sat there In 4 brown
study. Suddenly bis friends face
frightened. Lets 20 biuenshing on
the Ariel" he said quickly. And Clif.
ford with the light Of sudden under
sanding on his face, nodded an assent
Late that afternoon there was q com
notion on the bridge Of the New York.
Not far ahead a schooner yacht acted
- though bent on self destruction by
psrsistently getting In the steamers
way. The nrst officer reached for the
whistle cord.
A. the hoarse notes doomed out
the Agnal flags for Il want to speak to
you." and a minute later. with engines
stopped the huge steamer lay to.
New York, ahoyr' hailed the yachts
man through the megaphone "Is Miss
Burton on boardT
There was wild scramble among
the passengers lining the rail-. Present
~ a slender giriish figure mounted the
bridge.
"rhis 70 Miss Burton" shouted the
FIRST officer. indicating her with his
trumpet.
Clear and sharp came back the reply:
This ls Mr. Linyard. ] want to know
II she will marry mer'
A cheer went up from the crowded
deck. Then the answer rang back As
clearly. "She says she will"
TELL hef leave on Saturdays
sesamer. Thanks and goodby."
A very much disgusted ofncer reached
for the Indicator and pulled 1t viciously
to "full speed ahead"
On deck the Ariel. Linyard turned
joyfuliy to his friend. "Jim." he said
fervently. there are times when
schooner yacht beats even wireless te-
Iegraphy. Let's go below and offer up
Q Hbation to my engagement"
EPES w. SARGENT.