Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-01-27

Then he raised the heavy white en-
velope and looked hard at the dainty
address.
He was still staring at 1t as he
dipped OF. the end of the envelope and
drew out the sheet within. Half a
moment later he softly whistled. The
letter began:
"Sir-Your extraordinary communi-
cation Is to hand. l can think of no
season that could possibly prompt the
declaration you ave made l do not
DOL. unon 0 as a friend. What you
ask is simply impossible, and l beg
you will never aIlude to the matter
again. Yours very truly,
"Cicely Hammond"
A smile suddenly spread across the
attractive face the reader.
We'll" he murmured. that's a de-
ridedly peculiar way in which to an
swer Il simple offer for a piece of prop
erty. Hanged 1t it isn't serious enough
to be the first refusal of q proposal of
marriage. BY Jove, that's exactly what
Il is! Is anything the matter with me?
Have / been proposing to some indig-
nant maiden unawares? Where's my
letter book 2" He found the volume
and turned back the fimsy pages.
Here it is" he murmured, and e the
copy aloud:
Miss Cicely Hammond;
Dear Madam am authorized to
DlIST you Two L1OuSdHu pOuIiuS lOl yOul
tot at the corner of Hayes avenue and
Milburn street, cash payment in full
to be made at time of transfer. An
early reply will oblige yours very truly,
Russell Webster"
He held the book away from him and
stared hard at the copy. The he
laughed.
.The most anxious Old maid that
ever longed to cnange her name
couldn't mistake that for a proposal"
he chuCkled. mo, there's some blum
der, but it isn't mine. I'll go up there
at once and see the lady and tell her
about 1t. It's the gentlemanly thing
to do. / can easily see that this is no
Joke from her point of view"
A little later, as he sat back in a for
ward corner of the electric car, he tried
to recall all he had heard about he
tady. She had very lately taken up her
residence in one of the fashionable
suburbs. She had come into possess
sion of the property of a deceased citi-
zen, and was reputed to be very
wealthy.
He pictured her to be a woman of
mature age, of presumable intelligence
and refinement, and with a distaste
for the demands of active society. And
while he was still busy with his mag
mary portrait he reached the street
where the lady resided.
His ring at the door was answered
by a young young woman
who wore a light stuff gown n q neat
white apron. Russell looked at this
sudden vision admiringly.
is Miss Hammond at home?" he
asked
Have you an appointment? in
CURED the young woman, and Russell
was much pleased with the mellow res
onance OF her tones. He had a theory
that the feminine voice was an excel
lent guide to the feminine character.
Mo- replied Russell, but my bust
ness is, of a somewhat urgent as Wei
as personal nature"
The young woman o at him a
little doubtfully.
Come in" she said, and ushered
him into a handsome apartment that
seemed to combine the purpose of both
office and library. She motioned Rus
sell to a chair and paused beside the
large writing table in the center of
the rooIny apartment, as If waiting for
the caller to announce his business.
MY card" said Russell.
The young woman glanced at the
~pasteboard.
'"The answer" said Russell, with a
little catch in his voice, was not en-
tirely satisfactory, and / felt 1T would
be better for all concerned to ask for
"a clearer reply from Miss Hammond
herself"
The young woman opened her eyes.
II can't see how it could be made
any clearer" she said.
at depends on the point OF view"
said Russell. He looked about him as
If for possible listeners, and lowered
his voice. Are you Miss Hammond's
secretary he asked.
Go her writing :, replied the young
woman.
xro,,I1 ~ fosc IN Cbnuy fhfc avfra-
ordinary letter before Miss Hammond
sees it." And he placed the docu-
ment in her hand.
THANK you for your consideration"
she said. and unfolded the letter.
Suddenly a pink flush stole across
her rounded cheek. Then she smiled.
Then both flush and smile deepened
and she suddenly sank into the desk
chair, and dropping her head on the
table laughed AN laughed.
Il am glad you find 1t amusing
said Russell. do you hin Miss
Hammond will consider it equally
funny?"
The young woman looked up at him
with swimming eyes.
sir" she said, II must ask you to
pardon me. but il / were certain /
would receive my discharge the next
minute / couldn't help laughing" And
she laughed again.
las / rave said" remarked Russell,
IT am very glad you can take it this
way. 1t struck me as having an anus
ing side. Yet at the same time / can't
help feeling a bit anxious about the
other fellow"
At this the young woman suddenly
stopped laughing and opened her eyes
very wide indeed. Then she hastily
hurried to the most distant window and
stared out for several moments. And
Russell felt sure she was laughing
again. When she looked around her
eyes were still wet.
Il beg your pardon for being SO hys-
terical," she said. But you see I
really couldn't help ii. That last re-
mark OF yours quite capped the CHI
max"
Then am I to understand that Miss
Hammond's answer to my offer was
also in the nature Of a refusal?'' said
Russell.
1T was" the young woman replied
with a quick catch In her voice.
Would 1t be asking too much If i
requested to know the exact wording
of Miss Hammond's letter to me ~ Rus
sell asked.
The young woman hesitated.
circumstances have somewhat al
tered b situation" she said, IAN yet
1 think IL Is your right to receive what
was originally intended for YOU"
4 agree with you. said Russell. But
OF course the original cannot be re-
called 1t may be possible, however,
that the receiver win come here Just
as I have done to find out what 1t all
means"
The girl shook her head.
ssNoss she &afd che will IN no}btnu