The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-11


l want you to take all the time that
you need in order that you may arrive
at the favorable verdict so necessary
to my happiness.
1T is hardly nesessary to say that
| shall not call again before receiving
YOUR reply; but when you say the word
'Come!' it will not take any great
length of time for me to accept the
welcome invitation. l hope that you
will be able to say that word. Yours
with love. FRANK.
Miss Leslie's mingled feelings OF misery
and Joy when she read the letter may
be imagined. why did l write that
miserable letter. Why didn't | give
him one more day after all these years?
Oh, why wasn't too sick to get up
this morning." were some of the ques-
tions that the poor girl asked herself,
when the feelings of misery were in
control, as they were during nearly
all the rest of the afternoon, the happi-
ness which she had felt for short
time giving way under the influence
of the thought that she might have been
happy without the loss OF her self
respect.
But perhaps there is yet a chance
to save it." thought Miriam, as once
more came to her mind that friend of
mankind and womankind. the much
abused and misunderstood telephone.
She would try to get Frank at his office,
and if by any chance he had not re-
ceived the letter. or had not read it
if he had received it. she would make
him promise to return it without reading.
But she realized that the hope was a
faint one as there was almost no chance
that the letter had not been received,
and if he had received it-well. she would
like to see him leave a letter OF hers
unopened for more than a minute!
And SO this contradictory woman went
to the telephone with a weak voice and
a faint heart, hoping against hope that
Frank had been away from the office.
and that the letter had arrived in his
absence The reply to her inquiry for
Mr.. Webster gave her monentarv COM
fort, as she was told that he was out,
but when she asked further questions
she learned that he had been at the
Office until a few minutes before the
time of her telephone call As she hung
UP the receiver Miriam said to herself,
with a sad smile, that she wished she
could hang herself as easily.
The next half hour was one of the most
miserable that the girl had ever spent.
She again read her lovers letter; but in
stead of finding any comfort for her
troubles the reading only added to her
misery. He thought me so modest
and womanly and contrasted my con-
duct with that of others who were not
so nodestl But what does he think
now that he has read my letter: Modest
girls don't propose to men, even ii the
men haven't nerve enough to propose
themselves.
Miriam was still in a most unhappy
frame of mind when her brother re-
turned at night from business. He had
shame-faced look as he approached her.
I'm sorry. sis, after all you said
about the importance of that letter;
but-well. I've had an awful busy day
of it and forgot to mail it. Here it is. "
Her arms were around his neck in an
instant. You dear. darling, forgetful.
absent-minded brother!" she cried. as
he looked at her in amazement. Now
that YOU have forgotten to mail the
letter, just forget another thing; forget
that l asked you to mail it.
And the brother who dearly loved