The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-01-27

terS. He hurried through the incloS-
ures until he reached the last one
Then he raised the heavy white en-
velope looked hard at the dainty
address.
He was still staring at it as he
dipped or the end of the envelope and
1rew out the sheet within. Half a
moment later he softly whistled. The
letter began:
.Sir-Your extraordinary
cation is to hand. 1 can think of no
ceason that could possibly prompt the
declaration you have made. l do not
.ools suoon you as q friend. What you
ask is simply impossible. and l beg
you will never allude 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-
cfdedly peculiar way in which to an
swer q simple offer for a piece of prop
erty. Hanged it it isn't serious enough
to be the first refusal of u proposal of
marriage. BY Jove, that's exactly what
1t is! Is anything the matter with me?
Have I been proposing to some indig-
liant maiden unawares? Where's my
letter book?' He found the volume
and turned back the flimsy pages.
Here it is" he murmured, and read the
copy aloud:
Miss Cicely Hammond:
Dear Madam am authorized to
offer you two thousand pounds for your
cot 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 h copy. Then he
laughed.
The most anxious old maid that
eve longed to nange her name
couldn't mistake that for q proposal"
he chuckled. NO. there's some blum
der. but it isn't mine. I'll go UP there
at once and see the lady and tell her
to do. 1 can easily see that this is nj
Joke from her point of view"
little later, as he sat back in a for
ward corner of the electric car, he tried
to recall all he had heard about the
tady. She had very lately taken up her
suburbs. She had come into posses
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 r~esinenent. and With a dis'aste
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 wonlarl-a young woman
who wore a light stuff gown and a neat
white apron Russell looked at this
sudden vision adniringly.
rs Miss Hammond at home?" he
asked.
Have you an appointments" in
CURED he U woman. and Russell
was much pleased with the. mellow res
Onance Of her tones. He had 4 theory
that the feminine voice was an excel
lent guide to the feminine character.
NO" replied Russell. but my bust
ness is of q somewhat urgent as we'll
as personal nature"
The young woman looked 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 roomy 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 it would
be better for all concerned to ask for
IA 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.
ut depends on the point OF view"
said Russell. He looked bou him as
If for possible listeners, n lowered
his voice. Are you Miss Hammond's
secretary?" he asked.
81 do her writing" replied the young
woman.
"Then," said RUSSELL, 81 think it
would ha foi,. to show Won fhis aytra.
ordinary letter before Miss Hammond
sees it," And he placed the docu-
ment in her hand.
THANK o for your considerations
she said, n unfolded the letter.
Suddenly a pink flush stole across
Then both flush II smile %deepened
and she suddenly sank into the desk
chair, and dropping her head on the
table laughed and laughed.
II am glad You find It amusing
said Russell. DO you think Miss
funny?"
The young m looked up at him
with swimming eyes.
Sir" she said, II must ask you to
pardon me. but If I were certain l
would receive my discharge the next
minute I couldn't help laughing" And
she laughed again.
AS l have said" remarked Russell,
81 am very glad you can a k it this
way. 1t struck me as having an anus
Ing side. Yet at the same time I 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 you- pardon for being so hys-
terical," she said: But you see 1
really couldn't help it. That last re-
mark of yours quite capped the eli
max"
Then am 1 to understand that Miss
Ha7nmond's answer to my offer was
4 also In the nature Of a refusal?" said
1T was" the young woman replied
with a quick catch in her voice.
would it be asking too much il I
requested to know the exact wording
of Miss Hammond's letter to me?" Rus
Sell asked