The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-06-16

GERS on Russell Websters desk and
passed along. Russell dropped the
morning paper and picked up the mail
, He hurried through the Enclosures unit
he reached the last one. Then he raised
. TIE heavy white envelope and looked
. hard at the dainty address He was
sun staring at il as he ripped off the
end of the envelope and drew out the
sheet within. a half moment later he
( softly Whistled He pUckered his broWs
/ aud whistled again. Then he turned i'm
| his desk chair so that better light
/ would fall on the letter, and slowly
/ read il aloud
! Sir, 1t began. your extraordinary
/ communication is at hand / can think
| or no reason that could possibly prompt
: ire declaration you have made..I do not
/ look upon you even as a friend. What
/ you ask is simply impossible. and beg
/ you viii never allude to the matter
again. Very truly.
"CICELY HAMMOND"
a smile suddenly spread across the
attractive face of the reader.
Well he murmured, that's a de-
c.dedly peculiar way I'm which TO an
SWeT simple offer for piece of real
estate. Hanged If it isn't serious enough
u be the refusal of a proposal of mar
rage. BY Jove, that's exactly what il
IS Is anything the matter with me?
Have i been proposing to some indig-
uant maiden unawares? Where's my
letter book" He found the volume
and turned back the fiimsy pages.
Here it is ne murmured, and read
the copy aloud.
Miss Cicely Hammond, City-Dear
Madam: I am authorized to offer YOU
Sll,OOO for your lot at. corner of Hayes
avenue and Milburn street; cash pay
Uent in full 10 be made al time of
transfer. An early reply viii Oblige
yours, very truly.
RUSSELL WEBSTER"
He held the book away from him and
stared hard at the copy. Then he
laughed. THE most anxious old maid
that ever longed to change her name
couldn't mistake that for a proposal"
no chuckled. mo. there's some blunder.
but it isn't mine. He looked again at
the writing on the singular letter.
Nice paper he said, "and beautiful
Writing-and a very agreea BILE
odor. BY George. / see how it is. It's
the old blunder OF getting the envelopes
mixed. Wonder what the other fell
low VIII think when he gets my letter?
lie certainly has missed q hard set
down. Say. this ought to be straight
eEed out right away. Blame me if I
don't go right up there and see the
lady. It's the gentlemanly thing to do.
i can easily see that it's no joke from
her point of view" He looked at his
watch. took his hat and hurried to the
elevator A little later. as ne sat back
a. forward corner OF the electric car,
he tried to recall an he had heard about
the lady She had very lately taken up
her residence in one OF the fashionabl
suburbs. She had come into possession
Of the property Of a deceased citizen.
and was repUted very wealthy. She
had been abroad. Russell recalled see |
ing her name in one Of the daily papers
in an item about local tourists. He pic
tured her as a woman of mature. age,
OF presumable intelligence and refine
ment. and with a distaste for the de-
mands of active society. And while he
was still busy with his imaginary pOr-
trait the conductor called the street
where the lady resided.
III was stately and handsome home
or an earlier type of architecture, and
the grounds We're large and beautifully
kept. Russell noticed the painters were
at work on the front of the residence. /
and a board across the entrance steps
barred the way. He stepped around
to the side door and rang the bell
II was answered by a young woman. I
a young woman who wore a light stuff /
gown and a neat white apron. Russell /
looked at this sudden vision admir- /
.ngly
Us Miss Hammond at homer he /
asked
Have YOU am appointment in /
luired the young woman, and Russell /
was much, pleased with the mellow
resonance Of her tones. lie had a the F.
Dry that the feminine voice was an eX- /
,ellent guide to the feminine charac-
Ter.
No replied Russell. but my bust
ness Is of a somewhat urgent. as we'll
ls personal, nature"
The young woman looked at him a
Ittle d0Ubfully
come iu. she said, and ushered
aim into a handsome apartment that
seemed to combine the purposes of both
'fiice and library. She motiOned Rus
sell 20 chair and paused beside the
arge writing table ia the center of the
-comy apartment as If waiting for the
Slier 10 snnouuce his business.
My card said Russell
The young woman glanced at the
'aStebo3rd.
But you were answered yesterday"
be said.
The answer said Russell with a
title catch i'm his voice. was not en-
irely satisfactory. and 7 felt it would
be- better for an concerned to ask for
"a clearer reply from Miss Hammond
.erSels
The young woman opened her ewes.
Il don't see how Il could made any
leaTer." she said.
1T depends on the point of view"
aid Russell. He looked about him as
for possible listeners and lowered his
dice. Are you Miss Hammond's Sec
eJary2' he asked.
Il do her writing" replied the young
roman.
Then. said Russell. Il think if
-ould be fair 90 show YOU this extra
rdinary letter before Miss Hammond
ces IT," And he placed the document
p her hand
Thank YOU for your consideration /
be said. and unfolded the letter.
Suddenly q pink flush stole across her
1unded cheek. Then she smiled. Then 4
9th flush and smile deepened. and she
ud6enly sank into the desk chair. and. \,
ropping her head on the table laughed
nd laughed.
TT am glad you find il amusing
aid Russell. DO you think Miss Ham
loud win consider il equally FUNNY
The young woman looked uD at him
nth swimming ewes
"Sir, she said. II must ask you 20 !