Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-07-17

lOIiitNdblb IDNh1flg. cftltiio HtAI elAN'i9'
so, for she walked calmly in. The proprle-
tor of the sofa looked up and bowed politely
but there was a roguish twinkle in hls eyes,
and he seemed to be trying to conceal =
smile, for the corners of his mouth tw,tehed
and he made a motion to knock off an ina
gina fly, which he thought had settled on
his nose. But Kate did not observe this,
for she was industriously studying the pat
tern of the carpet
'1Mr Watson said Kate.
That's me, said the occupant OF the
sofa, looking innocently unconscious.
Kate ignored his remark, and continued
in an almost inaudible tone, but which nc
heard nevertheless
Mr.. Walton, ] am come Poor Kate
stopped, unable to proceed
i am aware that you have. Proceed to
business, my dear, and the creature aetu-
Glly rubbed his hands briskly together
She looked up and faced him boldly, her
checks blazing with shame and rage.
i ann come, sir, to take advantage Vt
leap year; that is, being impressed with a
sense Of your superiority over my other male
friends, and also being smitten With your
fine manners and personal beauty, | have
come to offer you my hand, and hope you
VIII think enough of the offer to accept,
she stammered.
You may ask my pardon, said Dick,
drawing his handkerchief before his eyes,
and speaking in a subdued whisper,
Kate was thundersauck She had ex-
pected an indignant refusal, She proposed
to him for the fun of the thing, and because
the girls had dared her to do it
''Barllis appears to be W; IN, said she,
desperately
Barkis IS willin' was the reply ..om
the depths Of the handkerchief
She may be, but I'm not, she cried
fercely,
yes, you are. Oh, dear, you've broke
my virgin heart cried Dick, in a tragic
tone.
Virgin fddlesticks, quoth she, cycling
him suspiciously, and cdging toward the
parlor door.
you've offered me your hand, and 1 d
take EN- both if they weren't in your apron
pockets, he howled.
A bright idea struck Kate She would
make love to him furiously, and he would
retreat and leave the field.
''But don't want you to marry me "
wept Dick, his handkerchief still before his
eyes.
''Why?" queried she.
"You re a-a-a.a romp," he gasped.
Il am lady, she replied, Indignantly.
''You whistle, and jump, and fish, and ac-
tually, yes actually shoot Dick appeared
to be having a hysteric fit,
'I'll shoot you" and she made a dash
for the door. But Dick was ahead of her,
and, as her hand grasped the door knob he
seized her wrists.
/" You have already shot my heart full Of
Cupid's arrows" he exclaimed, giving her
a look that caused her cheek to burn, and
made her eyes drop in confusion,
He led her unwillingly to the sofa, and
sat down beside her. Kate, love you
with my whole heart, and | ask you, in all
sincerity to become Mrs Dick Walton. " His
voice was low and eager
But my unmaidenlY conduct II
- her lips quiyered, and two great tears
rolled down her face.
IF you we're like other girls l would not
care one whit for you; but, Kate, I love you
because you dare do things others dare not
do, he said, persuasively.
''You you-you said / was a romp;' she
was crying in earnest.
Well, didn't you tell Sue Develin that
| was a 'bear?''
''How do you know p She stopped
crying, and gazed at him in utter amaze
ment.
Il listened, Miss, was the courageous
reply.
Indeed, and you heard
"The whole plot. | was behind the
arbor, and, hearing my name mentioned,
could not resist the desire of hearing your
opinions about my illustrious self, Dick
smiled, unconcernedly; then he continued.
You may tell your companions that you
ar engaged to that "horrid creature, and
expect to become Mrs. Dick Walton in one
month from to day" Kate blushed and
attempted to release her hands for Mr.. and
Mrs. Adams were coming, and that instant
entered the parlor. Dick got up and an
nounced Kate's surrender.
Mr.. und Mrs Adams congratulated them,
kissed their daughter, shook hands, and
upon the whole seemed perfectly overioyed
at the way things had turned out.
Next day Kate met her companions and
engaged them for bridesmaids, and a few
weeks later every one other friends received
her wedding cards. Kate's advice to her
companions is; Ny proposal ended well;
go and do like wise. To which we say.
Amen
ARNOLD'S TREASON.