Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-11-26
.LADYLOVE
-. By...
MARTHA NCVLlOCH.WILLIAMS
Copyright, 1903. by T. G. Mcclure
*s+s*s+s*s*e**s+s+sas+s+s

| the French window into the library at
Cresswell he, made half motion TO
turn back. Ladylove was crying hard,
| her head buried in her folded arms on
| the big library table. Aunt Nan sat a
little way Off, frowning, yet beamng
over q letter She 1t was who caught
| sight of Jack and called to him with lit
| tie excited breaks between her words:
Don't go away, Mr.. Vanston. You
must help me make this headstrong
| child listen to reason"
IF she's badly in need of discipline
| suppose you let me take her for walk
this morning. Jack said, pulling IA
| rebellious curl that strayed down over
| Ladylove's neck. "She told me yes
| terday she hated me-"
Miss Nancy shook her head. Il can
not permit the walk-now." She put
such emphasis on the last word Jack
could not choose but ask, why
| ooh. Ja-ckw Ladylove walled, sitting
up. but keeping her face hidden. Its
| because she wants me to marry that
fat. pig eyed Sandy Corlew. He-he
has written to her-proposing- fancy
proposing that way
II at least appreciate dear Sandy
fine Difference to your natural guard
| ian," Miss Nancy said, sitting a
thought straighter and caressing the
letter with two fingers. Then, in an
swer to the question of Jacks eyes, she
went on: "Of course Ladylove will ac-
cept She came here to establish her
self
Il didn't! 1t was just because
thought you were lonely and wanted
me-and there were so many of us at
home one could well be spared" Lady.
! love broke in, land | had rather SO
back to daddy and the pigs and the
chickens and the children and have
| only calico frocks than marry this
this oaf"
She was standing at the last word
one little foot stamping hard as she
spoke Jack dared not look straight at
her-if he did he knew lie should catch
her in his arms and comfort her That
would ruin everything. 1t was clearly
case for diplomacy. He said sooth-
ingly to Ladylove, FLUSH, naughty
girlw Then to Aunt Nancy 81 agree
with you, Miss Cresswell. Sandy Cor
lew is a fine, solid fellow, who may al
ways be depended on to do the right
| thing. But please let me see his letter
I'm not asking out Of impertinent GU
riosity,' as he saw denial in her face.
"Do believe that! II have an idea
that-that you may not have under
stood quite what he meant"
Jacks breath came fast as he said
It. He was by turns hot and cold. But
desperate cases require desperate au-
dacities. He bent toward Miss Nancy
and half forcibly took the letter, read
it through twice, folded it, read il
again, then stood with it in his hand
the model of one impelled to speak, yet
loath to obey the impulse. Miss Nancy,
watching him as bird watches Il
snake, at last snapped out: "Well,
what's the matter? Do you lind any
thing strange or startling in the fact
that gentleman has the courage and
decency TO say outright he wants to
| marry my niece!
| Il do not" Jack said: then in con-
strained voice: "But-forgive me, Miss
| Nancy-has he said so? | think not"
| "Why, bless and save us. Are you
crazy?" Miss Cresswell demanded.
Not a bit of it, Jack retorted stout
| ly. only that you have misunder-
stood Here is all the first page about
| how he has admired you all his life
| and now that he has reached mans
| estate hopes for closer alliance
And then with a manly courage most
| admirable he sums up, My heart Is
| set on marrying the one woman in
| the world for me-Miss Nancy Walton
Cresswell. Ladylove is Nancy Walton
Cresswell on the family register, bat
whoever heard her called so anywhere
elseY'
"Oh, you can't mean that! 1t would
| be too ridiculous" Miss Cresswell said,
| but as she said it she turned away
| her head TO hide the blush that spread
| even 10 her round white chin. Lady
| love sprang at her like mad thing
crying out: It's truth, Auntie Nan! 1t
| must be true. Sandy means you; no.
body else And you'll take him, and
| I'll adore my Uncle Sandy. He's only
| nicely fat after all, and I'm sure a
pigs eyes can be kind and funny
'Ladylove, you forget Yourself"
Jack said. his voice heavy with re-
proof. Then to Miss Cresswell; Hon
eStly | cannot donbt that Sandy npa Mt
| you. That was why | insisted upon
| seeing the letter. had heard him say
| things which made me sure you mis-
understood. and | did not want you to
make grave mistake"
"Why, the boy is ten years younger
| than am" Miss Cresswell said weak
| ly, stealing a glance at herself in the
mautel glass.
"And looks five years older at the
very least" Jack said Chat is one
advantage of being so-ahem-well. so
finely built. At least think it over
Tell him you'll take week to consld-
er his proposal
"You don't think | could be so in
delicate as to accept mean to say
either yes or no-under fortnight"
Miss Cresswell said "I'll write TO
Sandy that must consult my brother
and shall possibly give him definite
answer ut the end of 4 fortnight"
1