Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-11-03
LADYLOVE
MARTHA h'cvlLocH.WlLlIAlss


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Copyright. lae, By 7. @. Mcclure
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| As Jack vanston stepped through
the French window into the library 1
CressweIl he made half q motion B
turn back. Ladylove was crying hard
her head buried in her folded arms O
the big library table. Aunt Nan sat
little way Oh. frowning. yet beaminl
over Z letter. She It was who caugh
sight Of Jack and called to him with III
tie excited breaks between her words:
don't SO away, Mr.. vanston. 70,
must help me make this headstroni
child listen to reason"
III she's badly in need Of discipline
suppose you let me take her for Wall
this morning. Jack said, pulling .
rebellious curl that strayed down owe,
LadyIove's neck. ''She told me res
terday she hated me-"
Miss Nancy shook her head. II can
not permit the walk-now." She pu
such emphasis on the last word Jaci
could not choose but ask. "Whyr
"Oh, Ja-ckr' Ladylove walled, sitting
up, but keeping her face hidden. "It'i
because she wants me to marry that
fat. pig eyed Sandy CorIew. He-ht
has written to her--proposlng- fancy
proposing that way
Il at least appreciate dear Sandy'i
fine Difference to your natural guard
ian," Miss Nancy said. sitting q
thought straighter and caressing the
letter with two fingers. Then. In an
swer to the question Of Jacks eyes. she
went on: "Of course Ladyiove will &C
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 80 many Of US at
home one could well be spared" Lady
love broke In. land l had rather 90
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--H he did he knew he should catch
her in his arms and comfort her. That
would ruin everything. 1t was clearly
a case for diplomacy. He said sooth-
ingly to Ladylove, Hush. naughty
girlr Then to Aunt Nancy: II agree
with you, Miss Cresswell. Sandy Cor
lew is fine, solid fellow. who may al
ways be depended on to do the right
thing. But please let me see his letter
Pm not asking out of impertinent Gu
riosity," as he saw denial In her face.
do believe that! IL have an idea
that-that you may not have under
stood quite what he meant"
Jacks breath came fast A. he said
It, He was by turns hot and cold. But
desperate cases require desperate au-
dacities. He bent toward Miss Nancy
and half forcibiy took the letter. read
1t thr0agh twice, folded II. read 1t
again, 0hn stood with 1t In his hand,
the model of one impelled to speak. yet
loath to obey the impulse. Miss Nancy.
watching him as q bird watches a
snake, at last snapped out: well.
what's the matter? Do you find any
thing strange or startling In the fact
that a gentleman has the courage and
decency to say outright he wants to
marry my niecer'
II do not" Jack said: then In q con-
voice: "But-forgive me, Miss
be said sof l think not"
why, bless and save us! Are ron
craxy?" Miss Cresswell demanded.
Not . bit Of itv' Jack retorted stout
". ''Only that you have misunder-
stood. Here Ii all the first page about
how he has admired you all his life
and now that be has reached mans
estate hopes for q closer alliance
And then with manly courage most
admirable he sums up. Ny heart b
ret on marrying the one woman in
the world for me-Miss Nancy Walton
Cresswell' Ladylove d Nancy Walton
Cresswell on the family register, but
whoever heard her called % anywhere
elseY
.Oh. you can't mean that! II would
be too ridiculous" Miss Cresswell said,
but az she said 1t she turned away
her head to hide the blush that spread
even to her round white chin Lady
love sprang at her like a mad thing
crying out: It's truth. Auntie Mani II
must be true. Sandy means ron: no
body else. And you'll take him. and
I'll adore my Uncle Sandy. He's only
nicely tat after all. and I'm surs .
pigs eyes can be kind and funny~-
"Ladylove. you forget yourself~
lack said. his voice heavy with ~
proof. Then to Miss CresswelI: Hon
estly cannot doubt that Sandy meant
you, That was why ! insisted upon
seeing the letter. I had heard him say
things which made me sure you mis-
understood, and / did not want you -
make grave mistake"
aWhy. the boy h ten years younger
than am" Miss Cressweli said weak
b. stealing . glance at nerself In tn
mantel glass
And locks ave years older 1t the
very least" Jack said. THAT b oos
Of being so--ahem-veli. -
finely built. At least think It over.
Tell him you'll take . week to consid-
er his proposar'-
-You don't think could be - In
delicate ~ to accept-I mean to ~