The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-06-22
nj shut ,be door rather decidedly

and shut the door rather decidedly.
AS she crossed the hall the letter slip
ped out and fell to the floor, making no
sound on the soft rug. She went up
stairs, unconscious Of her loss. smiling
In anticipation Of the Interview she
would have with Dlcky when his re-
pentance had reached II proper depth.
1t was Meissa's theory, gained in her
twenty years, that men needed to be
taught lessons occasionally. When
Dicky had learned his lesson she would
acknowledge that she had not yet 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 Mels-
sa's mind He picked UP her letter and
posted It with the others.
Two evenings later the maid brought
Melissa Or. Hartly's card. II took him
to the library, miss. He said he could
only stay few minutes and wanted
to see you alone"
Melissa went downstairs, her fore.
llfUl llu'hfl'I lIlO a. NDll'lfllllS llDN II.
She could not imagine why Or. TIartly
had come to Edcrton to talk with her
about anything.
He came forward to meet her, and
she felt little constrained in her greet.
Ing Of this man Of forty, who seemed
so different from Dicky and the 9th.
ers
I'm so glad you decided to marry
me-" he said cordially. his eyes twin.
Killing 81 hoped some woman would
some day You see, | have been so
BUSY rather neglected it,"
Melissa gaspcd with establishment.
"Who said anything about my mar
rying your" she finally managed to
say, her eyes round with surprise.
He took her note from his inside
pocket, adjusted his eyeglasses and
looked at II carefully.
81 certainly hope have not been
mistaken" he said. handing It to her.
Two large tears rolled down her
cheek. II don't know how on earth--I
thought this was upstairs In my writ
Ing pad" she said miserably. ut was
just Joke to tease Dicky. I-oh,
never was so ashamed In my whole
life" she said, dropping into n big H.
brary chair and hiding her face against
It's back.
He walked behind the chair and,
leaning on ii, looked down smllingly
upon the brown head that rose and fell
with each sob.
II knew there was some kind of joke
connected with 1t, child he said sooth-
ingly. "Thcre was obliged to be some
joke about the fact that a girl your
age would dream Of marrying an old
man like me-"
81 don't think you are-old" came in
mufiled tones from the padded back of
the chair.
81 knew it was II joke" he resumed,
but it seemed rather-pleasant. Some
how had an irresistible desire to come
and see why you did It."
McllSSa'S face was still hidden.
IL wouldn't have you feel mortified
about 1t for the world" leaning over
until his lips touched a stray tendril
of her hair that shone red brown on
the black leather chair back. II am
twice as old as you, little girl. but am
young enough to understand q Joke.
DO you feel all right about 1t nowT
The brown head nodded in a COM
forted manner.
And yet, Melissa, can't help real
izing how nice 1t would be-if 1t were
not Joke. If there ever comes n day
when you could possibly mean 1t. won't
you send 1t back?"
The figure was as still as the chair
that held 1t, and Hartly sighed as he
turned Off.
Never mind. OF course you could
not. I'll say goodby now and catch the
8 o'clock train for town. Won't you.
shake hands TO show we understand
each other?"
Melissa bllndly held out wavering
hand that he grasped in his big one.
His expression changed with light.
ming rapidly, for there could be no
doubt about it the girl had gently
pressed into his palm the note that had
been concealed in her hand.
Melissa" he exclaimed unbelleving.
ly, seating himself upon the arm Of the