The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-11-19

i KNOW 1T WAS A JOKE, HE RESUMED.
ly. As there happened TO be no one In
the library at the time except Dicky
and herself, his attention was soon at.
tracted by the aggressive scratching OF
her pen.
why don't you stop and amuse a
fellowf" he urged. What are you
writing?"
'Oh, just writing" she replied alrily.
her tone insinuating that there were
subjects beyond his comprehension.
ITO manf" he asked sulkily.
"A very charming man. she assured
him lmpressively. Its rather an i'm.
portant communication" she contin.
ued. II wish you would look over this
page and see IL II is too stilted."
Dlcky took II up with relieved alac.
rIty, but his face heightened visibly az
he read:
Il have decided that I will marry
you. don't know why hesitated II
you can get away from town for day
take the Ederton local for Mrs. VIM
berly's country place. and you can tell
me II you are glad | didn't keep you
waiting any longer"
Dicky handed 1t back and commenced
a study OF the library fire.
II don't see how any one could pos.
sibly call that stilted," he growled.
Melissa signed the note. sealed 1t and
directed It to DIR. John Hartly.
Considering the fact that DIR. HartIy
was only very casual acquaintance
and had never asked Melissa TO marry
him nor had she ever dreamed OF his
asking her to do so. this literary
achievement might be regarded as rath-
er theatrical.
She gathered up her writing mate
rials, slipped the letter into her writ
Ing pad and started for the door. Stop
ping a minute TO fun up her brown
pompadour, she fixed reproachful eye
upon the object OF her vengeance.
II never would have thought, Dicky"
there were volumes Of surprise In her
yoce-'that you would have cared any
thing at all for blonds." She went out
and shut the door rather decidedly.
As she crossed the hall the letter slip
ped out and fell to the floor, making no
sound ION the soft rug. She went up
stairs, unconscious Of her loss, smiling
In anticipation Of the interview she
would have with Dlcky when bis re-
pentance had reached proper depth.
II was Melissa's theory, gained In her
twenty years, that men needed to be
taught lessons occasionally. When |
Dicky had learned his lesson she would |
that she had not Jet sent |
the letter, but was keeping 1t for fur
ther consideration.
The footman, coming for the letter |
bag few minutes later, was uncon-
scious Of the inner workings of Melis-
sa's mind. He picked up her letter and
posted Il with the others.
Two evenings later the maid brought
Melissa DIR. Hartly's card. 'T took him
10 the library, miss. He said be could
only stay a few minutes and wanted
10 see you alone"
Melissa went downstairs, her fore
head puckered into wondering frown.
she could not imagine why DIR. Hartly
lad COME to Bderton to talk with her
ibout anything.
He came forward to meet her, and
he felt little constrained In her greet
ng Of this man Of forty, who seemed
% different from Dicky and the 9th.
RS.
I'm 20 glad you decided to marry
me-" he ssid cordially, bis eyes twin
ling. II hoped some woman would 1
ome day. You see, have been 20
'usy-I rather neglected IT,"
Melissa gasped with astonishment.
SWho sald anything about nv mar.