Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-11-25
LADYLOVE
-
-. BY
MARTHA M'CVLLOCH-WiLLIAMS
Copyright, 1908, by L. G. Mcclure
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES e*e*e+s+e

As Jack Nanston stepped through
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
little way off, frowning, yet beaming
over letter. She it was who caught
sight of Jack and called TO him with lit
tie excited breaks between her words:
Don't so 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 a
rebellious curl that strayed down over
Ladylove's neck. "She told me yes
terday she hated me-
Miss Nancy shook her head. 81 can
not permit the walk-now.' She put
such emphasis on the last word Jack
could not choose but ask, "WhyT
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-f
proposing that way
Il at least appreciate dear Sandy's
fine Difference to your natural guard
ian," Miss Nancy said, sitting
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
al didn't! 1t was just because l
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, "and / had rather go
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 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
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 be 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 as he SAID
ii. 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
ii through twice, folded it, read II
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
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 ana
decency to say outright he wants TO
marry my niece"
Il do not" Jack said; then in a 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 bit of it, Jack retorted stout
". "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 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' Ladylovc is Nancy Walton
Cresswell on the family register, but
whoever heard her called so anywhere
elsef"
"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 to her round white chin. Lady
love sprang at her like mad thing
eryjDg out: It's truth, Auntie Nan. Ii
must bG 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
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 doubt that Sandy meant
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 a grave mistake"
"Why, the boy is ten years younger
than | am" Miss CreSswell said weak
jF, stealing a glance ut herself in The
mantel glass.
"And looks five years older at the
very least" Jack said. "That is one
advantage Of being sO-ahem-weIl. so
finely built. At least think ii over.
Tell him you'll take a week to consul
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'li write TO
Sandy that must consult my brother
and shall possibly give him Il definite
answer ut the end Of Il fortnight
With that she clutched the letter and
vanished. The door had hardly shut
behind her when Jack had LadylOve
tight 81 his arms and was saying to
the curls on the top of her head: Hon
ey girl. would you believe ] sat up two
full nights connecting that epistle for
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