The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-08-18
LADYLOVE.
4 Letter That In the Rereading
Had a New Meaning.
ny MARrHA Mlc.. WILLIAMS.


The French window into the library at
Cregswell be made half motion to
turn back. Ladylove was crying hard,
her head buried in her folded arms on
the big library table, Aunt Nan sat a
little way OF, frowning. yet beaming
over a letter She II was who caught
sight Of Jack and called to him with
little excited breaks between her
words:
Don't 90 away, Mr.. Vanston. You
must help me make this headstrong
child listen to reason
III she's badly IN need OF discipline
suppose You let me take her for a walk
this morningT Jack said, pulling a
rebellious curl that strayed down over
Ladylove's neck. ''She told me yes
terday she hated me-"
Miss Nancy shook her head. II can.
not permit the walk-now.9 She put
such emphasis on the last word Jack
could not choose but ask, "WhyT
"Oh. Ja-ckr' Ladylove walled. sitting
up, but keeping her face hidden. ITS
because she wants me to marry that
fat. pig eyed Sandy Corlew. He-he
bad written to MISUNDERSTANDING
proposing that way
Il at least appreciate dear sandy's
fine difference to your natural guard
IAN" Miss Nancy said, sitting
thought straighter and caressing the
letter with two fingers. Then, in an
swer to the question OF Jacks eyes,
she went on: "Of course Ladylove win
accept. She came here to establish
herself
4 didn't 1t was just because /
thought you were lonely and wanted
me--and there were so many Of US at
home one could well be spared" Lady
love broke in, "and had rather 20
back to daddy and the pigs and the
chickens and the children and have
only calico frocks than marry this
this oaf."
She was standing at the last word,
one little foot stamping hard as she
spoke. Jack dared not look straight at
her II he did he knew he should catch
her in his arms and comfort her. That
would ruin everything. 1t was clearly
a case Of diplomacy He said sooth-
ingly to Ladylove. Flush, naughty
girl. Then to Aunt Nancy: Il agree
with you, Miss Cresswell. Sandy Cor
lew is fine. solid fellow, who may al.
ways be depended on to do the right
thing. But please let me see his letter
I'm not asking out Of impertinent cu-
riosity," as be saw denial in her face
'Do you believe that2 III have ain
idea hat--that you may not have IN
derstood quite what he meant"
Jacks breath came fast as be said
It. He was by turns hot and cold. But
desperate cases require desperate au-
dacities. He bent toward Miss Nancy
and half forcibIy took the letter, read
it through twice folded 1t. read ii
again. then stood with it In bis hand.
the model Of one impelled to speak, yet
loath to obey the impulse Miss Nancy,
watching him as a bird watches
snake, at last snapped out: well, |
what's the matter? Do you find any
thing strange or startling in the fact
that a gentleman has the courage ana
deceney to say outright be wanb to
marry my nieceT
u do not, Jack said Then n q con.
strained voice; "But-forglve ~ Miss
Nancy-has he said so? think not"
why, bless and save us. Are you
crazyg' Miss Cresswell demanded.
Not bit Of itp' Jack retorted stout
". "0nly that you have misunder
stood. Here Is all the first page about
how he has admired you all bis life
and now that he has reached mans
estate hopes for a closer alliance
And then with a manly courage most
admirable be sums up. My heart is
set on marrying the one woman in the
world for me- Miss Nancy Walton
CressweIl3 Ladylove is Nancy Walton
Cresswell on the family register, but
whoever heard her called so anywhere
eIseY
"Oh. you can't mean that! 1t would |
be too ridiculous" Miss Cresswell said, |
but as she said it she turned away |
her head to hide the blush chat spread |
even to her round white chin. Lady
love sprang at her like a mad thing
CRYING out: It's truth. Auntie Nan. II
must be truel Sandy means you; no
body else. And you'll take him, and [
III adore my Uncle sandy. He's only
nicely fat after all, and I'm sure
pigs eyes can be kind and funny
aLadyloye. you forget yourself| I
Jack said, bis voice heavy with re-
proof. then to Miss CEesswelI: Zion
estly cannot doubt that Sandy meant
you. That was why | insisted upon
seeing the letter. had heard him say
things which made me sure you mis-
understood, and ! did not want you t.
make d grave mistake"
.'Why. the boy is ten years younger
than / am Miss CTesswell said weak
". stealing a glance at herself in the
mantel glass.
"And looks FIVE years older at the
very least" Jack said THAT Is one
Of being so-ahem we'll 50
finely built. AT least think It over
Tell him you'll take week to consid
er bis proposal
aYou don't think l could be SO in,
delicate as to accept-I mean to say
either YES or no-under a fortnight"
Miss CressweIl said. I'll write to
sandy that must consult my brother
and shall possibly give him definite
answer at the end Of fortnight"
rrr..l 80 -. .I,,tchnd the laffnr and 1