Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-05-30

termining to try again the next morn
ing. She did not for moment sup
pose he would even answer her she
imagined he would turn up his aristo-
cratic proboscis, and leave the house III
disgust. Kate did not like the latter
idea very we'll for, way down in the
bottommost part of her heart, lay DICKS
image.
The next morning she arose ana dres-
sed herself with scrupulous care She
had some msgivings about 1t, though.
II did not seem half SO easy then as 1T
had the day before. She let pass many
good opportunitics, and was one O'Clock
on the fatal afternoon before she mad
mustered up courage TO do" the rather
delicate business. Her father ana
mother were gone away, her brothers
were taking.a comfortable Se'S'di OF
gone hunting; the "lion" was lolling
ON the parlor sofa. Kate crept softly to
the door There the enemy was, GER
toinlv not at all formnable-looking.
Perhaps she thought so, for she walked
calmly in. The proprietor of the sofa
looked up and bowed politely, but there
was rogush twinkle in his eyes, ana
he seemed to be trying to conceal smile
for the corners of his mouth tWitched
and he made motion TO knock of an
imaginary fly, which he thought mao
settled on his nose. But kate d!d NOT
observe this, for she was industriouSly
studying the pattern OF me carpet
"Mr Walton said Kate
''rhat's me-" said the occupant OF the
sofa. looking innoccntly unconscious.
Kate ignored his remark, and contln-
ued in an almost inaudible tone, but
which he heard, nevertheless.
"Mr. Walton, am comc"-poor Kate
STONED. unable to proceed.
III am aware that you have. Proceed
TO business, my DEAR and the creature
actually rubbed his hands briskiy to-
gether.
She looked up and faced him boldly,
her checks blazing with shame ana rage,
81 am come, sir, to take advantage OF
leap year; that is, being duly impressed
with sense of your superiority over
nv other numerous male friends, anC
also being deeply smitten with your
fine manners and personal beauty,
have come to offer you my hand, anC
hope you will think enough OF my oifel
to accept" she stammered.
"You may ask my par" said DICK
drawing his handkerchief before ms
eyes, and speaking in subdued WINS
per-
Kate was thunderstruck. She had eX
pected an indignant refusal. She pro
posed to him for the fun OF the thlng
and because the girls had dared her L
do it. go.
"Barkis appears to be willin'" sai'
she desperately.
"Barllis is willin," was the reply iron
the depths of the handkerchief.
".She may be, but TIM not, " she erie
fercely.
eyes, you are. Oh, dear, you'v
broke NV virgin hearth cried Dick, j.
tragic tone.
"Virgin fiddlesticks," quoth she, eye
ing him suspiciously, and, edging tt
ward the parlor door.
"You've offered me your hand, ant
I'd take 'em both if they wasn't in you
A bright idea stTucR' nu,e. ,,n
would make love to him furiously, an
he would retreat and leave the field
"But don't want you to marry me,
wept Dick, his handkerchief still b'
fore his eyes.
"Why" queried she.
"You're a-a-a-a romp," he gasped.
"I'm lady," she replied, Indignant
"You whistle, and jump, and fisl
and actually shoot" Dick appeared I
be having a nysteric fit.
"I'll shoot youW and she made
dash for the door. But Dick was ahea
of her, and, as her hand grasped IL
door knob, he seized her wrists.
"You hare already shot my heart fl,
of Cupid's Arrows he exclaimed, gi'
ing her a look that caused her cheek
burn, and made her eyes drop in col
fusion.
He led her unwillingly to the sof
and sat down beside her. kate, 10y
you with my whole heart, and ask yo
in all sincerity, to become Mrs. Die
Walton" His voice was low and e
ger.
"But my unmaidenly conduct. II
her lips quivered, and two great tea
rolled down her face.
"If you were like other girls | wou
not care one whit for you; but, Kate,
love you because you dare do things OF
ers dare not do he said persuasively.
"You-you-you said | was romp
she was crying in earnest.
"Well, didn't you tell Sue Devel
that was bear?"
sHow do you know?' She stopp'
crying and gazed at him in amazemer
II Hstened Miss was the courag
Gus reply.
"Lndeed, and you heard"
1.-THE whole plot. | was behind Il
arbOr, and hearing my name mentiOne
could not resist the desire of hearil
YOUR opinions about my illustriOus sell
Dick smiled unconcernedly; then
continued:
"You tell your companions that y
are engaged to that 'horrid creatur
and expect to become Mrs. Dick WALTZ
i'm one month from to-day" Ka
blushed and attempted to release h
hands, for Mr.. and Mrs. Adams We
coming, and that instant entered t
parlor. Dick got up and announc
Kate's surrender.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams congratulate
them, kissed their daughter, sho
hands, and, upon the whole, seem
perfectly oyerjoyed at the way thin