CHAPTER IX 

The latter part of September Carley returned to New York. 

Soon after her arrival she received by letter a formal proposal of marriage from Elbert Harrington, who had been quietly attentive to her during her sojourn at Lake Placid. He was a lawyer of distinction, somewhat older than most of her friends, and a man of means and fine family. Carley was quite surprised. Harrington was really one of the few of her acquaintances whom she regarded as somewhat behind the times, and liked him the better for that. But she could not marry him, and replied to his letter in as kindly a manner as possible. Then he called personally. 

"Carley, I've come to ask you to reconsider," he said, with a smile in his gray eyes. He was not a tall or handsome man, but he had what women called a nice strong face. 

"Elbert, you embarrass me," she replied, trying to laugh it out. "Indeed I feel honored, and I thank you. But I can't marry you." 

"Why not?" he asked, quietly. 

"Because I don't love you," she replied. 

"I did not expect you to," he said. "I hoped in time you might come to care. I've known you a good many years, Carley. Forgive me if I tell you I see you are breaking--wearing yourself down. Maybe it is not a husband you need so much now, but you do need a home and children. You are wasting your life." 

"All you say may be true, my friend," replied Carley, with a helpless little upflinging of hands. "Yet it does not alter my feelings." 
who received a letter?
from who?
when?
to where?
during what month?
was the it beginning of the month?
what part?
what was in the letter?
what kind?
what does he do for a living?
was he young?
how is his age compared?
is he wealthy?
does he come from a good family?
what did Carley think about him?
Did she want to marry him?
how did she let him know?
did he leave it at that?
what did he do?
how did that make her feel?
Carley
she received by letter
Elbert Harrington
 by letter a formal proposal of marriage from Elbert Harrington
Soon after her arrival
Soon after her arrival she received by letter
New York
Carley returned to New York.
September
The latter part of September
no
The latter part of September
The latter
The latter part of September
a formal proposal
she received by letter a formal proposal of marriage 
of marriage
a formal proposal of marriage
a lawyer
He was a lawyer 
no
somewhat older
somewhat older than most of her friends
somewhat older than most of her friends
yes
a man of means
yes
 and fine family
as somewhat behind the times
she regarded as somewhat behind the times
no
But she could not marry him
by replying to his letter
and replied to his letter in as kindly a manner as possible
no
I've come to ask you to reconsider
asked her to reconsider
I've come to ask you to reconsider
it embarrassed her
you embarrass me