Meg, of Valencia Part 12

They may, at any time, flicker and go out. Nothing but the sunlight and the moonlight will do now, to express my love."

CHAPTER XX.

An after-thought.

Mr. Robert Spencer to Robert Malloy:

"Valencia, Nov. 5.

"_Dear Robert_: Hold on. Wait for me. I made the match, and it's no fair playing the game out till I come. Will take the first train. But what a combination of hair and name for your wife! It fixes her nationality, all right. Red-headed Meg Malloy! Salute her, for

"Uncle Bob."

Mrs. Amelia Weston to Miss Margaret Anthony:

"Valencia, Nov. 5.

"_Dear Niece Margaret_: For such I suppose you will prefer to be called, now that you are to marry a rich man. I hope you will not forget your former friends and relatives who befriended you in your hour of need. And I trust you will profit by the refined example I have striven to set you. Be careful of your table manners. You always had a tendency to put your elbow on the table. I used to think you did it to annoy me. Perhaps if Robert never speaks of it you may cease doing it. I am very much afraid the neighbors will say you pursued Robert to his very home to marry him. They are likely to say you were afraid to come back to Valencia to be married for fear he would change his mind. It is just awful the way people gossip!

"Of course, I am glad you are going to marry well. But I can't help thinking how sweet Robert would have looked in that brown bath-robe.

"I have bought a new complexion beautifier that I like so much.

The young lady agent explained that my complexion really didn't need improvement, but that this was a good preservator. She is a very pleasant young lady.

"Give my respects to Mrs. Malloy and your future husband. I hope he won't live to regret choosing you instead of the monastery.

"Your loving Aunt Amelia.

"P.S.-I am having the sweetest little dress made! It is of light-blue cashmere, trimmed in the cutest little chiffon ruffles.

The dressmaker thinks it is going to be very becoming to me."