Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-02
0bio Statesman,
A LEAP YEAR PROPOSAL.
BY LILLE LINwoop.

Well girls, here is leap-year hall
, gone, and not one of you has had spirit
,, enough to offer yourself to any fascinat-
ing masculine yet!'
i The speaker was the centre of group
of four young girls-either of them beau
: tiful enough to be the belle of city ball
room-who were seated under wide
: spreading tree, not far from an elegant
and commodious country residence.
"Why don't you propose yourself
Nell?" retorted Maggie Warland-a tall
dark-eyed girl, seated on the left of the
. first speaker.
"Oh !! / don't consider any male biped
that was ever created worth bestowine
myself upon," replied Nellie, with toss
of her regal little head. .-saaH s7s.s.a
MOT even grave, handsome Archer
Clayton. your fathers. city guest, queri-
ed Maggie rougishly., . a..
rNo, indeed!, returned Nellie, quickly;
though the color arose to the roots of her
nut brown hair. "But with you all is
diferent-not one of you but is enamor.
ed Of the attractions of some charming
young man, even to quiet Lii, here"
And she turned with an arch smile, to a
violet eyed girl on her right, whose fair
face instantly sufused with crimson.
"Indeed o. laughed Maggie, mali
ciously. Nevertheless, Miss Nell, it is
but fair that you. who are our leader in
all mischief, should set us the example
in this. We will wagor copy of Byron
Whom you say you hate, but design
/ f.., h,o l..
fore they were SO unfortunate as to get
caught in the yoke of matrimony-
against an engraving, piece from your
new portfolio, that you will not dare a
proposal to Mr. Clayton!''
"Agreed-agreed !" cried little blue
eyed Alice Marston. clapping her hands
81 guess our wild Nellie won't have the
audacity to do that, though, for all her
boasted daring"
Scarcely" said Lizzie Almer, laugh
ing, "Nellie Raymond-Queen Nell, on
her throne, proudly defying the attempts
to storm her heart, made by the many
lovers who bend at her shrine; and the
same Nellie offering herself to the one
whom she secretly regards-Who can
reconcile the two pictures ?''
"You are mistaken, Lii Almer, if YOU
imagine I care for Archer Clayton" re-
sponded Nellie, petulantly. "And /
will accept the wager. Oh! won't it be
fun e. And her dark eyes sparkled with
merriment.
"And you really accept the wager,
Nell :" inquired Maggie.
"Assuredly: not that care for By
ron's love sick stuff but I will show
you that Nell Raymond will dare any,
thing !'
Her auditors laughed merrily.
"There goes Mr.. Clayton to the par
lor now" presently remarked Maggie.
"Now is your opportunity. Nellie; your
father and mother will not be home un-
til near dinner time, and you can enjoy
your interview undisturbed."
Eyes; go on, Nell," urged Lizzie.
"What must be done, had as we'll be
done at once, as Aunt Mary says. We
will walk down to the glen, and wait for
you there. $500
Amidst trio of mirthful cachinna
tions. Nellie arose; while her own musi-
cal laugh echoed that of her young
companions, and with her eyes brimful
of mischief, bent steps toward the house;
while her friends, with many merry
glance after her, started for the glen. ,
Pausing moment in the hall to COM
pose her bright face to becoming de-
gree of gravity, Nellie entered the pleas
ant, shady parlor, where Archer Clayton
was seated alone. Inspite of her vaunt-
ed hardihood. her heart beat quickly as
the long, dark eyes were raised to hers,
and those clearest of manly tones said:
"Good morning, Miss Nellie"
"Good morning, sir" returned Nellie,
seating herself opposite to him.
"Your company is an unexpected
though most welcome pleasure" said
Archer. with bright smile, which illu-
minated and gloriied his thoughtful
face.
mo doubt" responded Nellie. And
then, with a PREDATORY '.ahem!" she
went on saucily:
"My dear Mr.. Clayton, your many at
fractions of a personal character have
indelibly impressed my heart, and, this
being leap year, avail myself of the
privilege it accords my sex, and offer
you my hand. my heart and my for
tune, which latter is immense, when you
consider that l am fortune in N.Y.
self!"
| The recipient Of this remarkable de-
claration first flushed deeply, then be-
came very pale; but, finally, conquer
ing his emotion, replied, with roguish
light in his dark blue eyes, and an
arch expression on his handsome face:
"My dear Miss Nellie, words would
fail to express the depth of my gratitude
for the inestimable honor you have con-
ferred upon me, and were 1 sure that
tyour love for me alone dictated it (here
his voice faltered in spite of himself
should delightfully."- accept your. offer,
but fearing that other motives, your
love for mischief, for instance, may have
influenced you, l must beg week for
consideration, ere return an answer"
Nellie's brown eyes dilated with won
der, and her confession was pitiful to be-
hold, she had not expected anything like
this retort-she had not doubted that he
would fee her presence as soon as she
concluded her rash speech.
''Pray excuse me, Miss Nellie !" said
Archer, in melo-dramantic tone. "The
excitement of this unexpected interview
has been too much for my nerves, and L
must seek to calm them in the solitude
of my own apartment. Remember, this
day week----next Thursday---I will be
ready with my final answer" And,
with profound bow, he left the room.
Burying her burning face in her hands
Nellie sobbed aloud in her modification
and distress; for at that moment she
could not conceal from herself that she