The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-07-05
Miss Metford's
Blunder
81 SARAH C. ORDWAY

"Heighor' said Miss Metford in per
,,oxity. II wish that grandfather of
mine had not desired to make so sure
If his fortune being handed down
through me by STIMULATING in his will
that | must marry before coming of
age or forfeit it In one month from
today I'll come to that terrible TWEEN.
tv.first anniversary of my birth. and
Pm not even engaged. There are
suitors enough, but the trouble Is to
decide between them. But | must de
ride between them. | must be mar
Red within thirty days, and my en-
eagement should be announced at
once. Even so short an engagement
y barely respectable"
Miss Metford sat down before her
escritoire and wrote note to Edwin
Clarke accepting his proposition OF
marriage. Then she spent ten min
ntes in deep thought and. laying the
note aside. wrote another to Stephen
Douglas accepting his proposition
This. too. after reflection she laid
aside and wrote to Alfred Downing
stating that she regretted having been
10 harsh with him and that If he was
40 minded she would be pleased that
their former pleasant relationship
should be renewed Then she vowed
that when the clock struck 9 she
would mail one of the three letters
That they might be ready she ad
dressed an envelope for each.
During the interval she thought over
the matter of suing for peace with her
old lover, Downing. and vowed that
she could not. would not eat humble
Die. She would accept one of the oth
er two men. and since both were well
enough In their way she would take the
one with the largest income. Douglas.
She was much agitated when she took
no one of the notes and threw the 9th
or two in the wastebasket. Then. ring
Ing for her maid. she gave her the let
ter to post and directed her to say to
any one who might ask for her that
she had gone to bed indisposed.
It was midnight when she disrobed.
and before doing so she thought she
had better destroy the two letters she
had not mailed Taking up one. she
glanced at the address. Stephen Clark
and tore it into bits. Then. taking up
the other. she started
MY goodness gracious"
The note was addressed to Douglas
Hastily removing the contents from
the envelope. she read her acceptance
of his proposition
"Oh. heavens! Instead of mailing this
have mailed my crawfsh letter to
Fred! | must have mistaken Douglas
for Downing How careless of me
when the names are so near alike. /
shall write Fred at once. recalling my
letter But can't post it tonight. and
II ! could it wouldn't head him of
He'll get it on the early morning de
livery. And what good would re
cantation do anyway? | have shown
how | feel and-oh. dear. what shall
d0?"
Miss Milford was at the breakfast
table the next morning when there
came sharp ring at the dOorbell. She
gave convnlsive start, casting quick
looking for SOME avenue for escape a
maid entered bearing card Miss
Milford looked at it as one at bay. then
directed the maid to say that she wOnId
appear presently.
Miss Milford did not have to keep
the caller waiting. for she had put on
her most becoming morning costume
Nevertheless she did not enter the
drawing room for a quarter of an hour
downing. who was standing looking
out through window, hearing a rustic
OF skirts turned and seeing her ad
Vanced eagerly.
Eleanor
Now. Mr. Downing was not aware
tnat the lady had sent him the letter
Internationally. but she had written II
anu could not very we'll unwrite it
us only fear was that he should make
some bunder which might occasion its
recall He knew her for high spir
Heo woman who had dismissed him
10 plque. and be had no mind to be
dismissed again
Cleanor.' be said numbly, you
uaVe made me see the enormity of the
onense for which you punished me.
'ou naVe shown me the magma nimity
VI your nature by granting me your
.ofgiVeness. and you have made me
'ue napplest man in the world"
lnls was very foxy Of the gentle
ah. ana 1t had it's effect ACCEPT
my apology for the ungenerous. ungal
iant"-
Rude"
les. rude /. eatnent OF you 1t you
"", restore ME to the position | occu
pied before"-
You forfeited it,"
showed myself unworthy of the
reverence of the noblest. loveliest Of
"0ueh promise to devote my life
"uolng penance for my fault"
sue magnanimously extended her
1anu tie seized it and covered II
.,h kisses Then he said
ieave on a ship sailing in an hour
.o' Japan. to be gone couple OF
"'iS On my return