The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1868-04-09
AlisttllanfSns.
A ALeap-Year Proposal
WHAT CAME OF 1T.
BY LILLE LINwooD.

gone, and not oEe Of you has had
spirit enough to offer yourself to any
fascinating masculine yeti"
Tue speaker was the centre Of =
group of four young girls--either Of
them beautiful enough to be the belle
of \ city ball room-Who we're seated
under a wide spreading treo, not far
from an elegant and commodious
country residence.
"Why don't you propose yourself,
Nell7" retor;ed Maggie Warland-a
tall, dark.eyed girl, seated on the lett
of the first speaker.
"Ohl l don't consider any male
bipcd that was ever created worth
bestowing myself upon" replied
Nellie, with toss Of her regal little
head.
"Not even grave, handsome Archie,
Clayton, your fathers city guest,
quericd Maggie roguishly.
Z" No, indeedl' returned Nellie
quickly; though the color arose t,
the roots of her nut brown hair.
"But with you all is different-not on,
Of you but is enamored Of the at
fractions Of some charming young
man, even to quiet Lii, here" And
she turned with an arch smile, to
violet eyed girl on her right, whose
fair face instantly suffused with Grim.
son.
"Indecd2" laughed Maggie, malici.
ously. Nevertheless, Miss Nell it is
but fair that you, who are our leader
in all mischief, should set us the ex-
ample in this. We will wager copy
of Byrou-whom you say you hate,
because his heroincs all died before
they we're SO unfortunate as to get
caught in the yoke of matrimony-
against an engraving a piece from
your new portfolio. that you will not
dare a proposal to Mr.. Claytoni"
Agreed l--agrced I" cried little
blue,eyed Alice Marston, clapping
her hands, / guess our wild Nellie
won't have the audacity to do that,
though, for all her boosted daring"
Scarcely" said Lizzie Almer,
laughing, "Nellie RaymOud--Queen
Nell, on her throne, proudly defyiug
the attempts TO storm her heart,
made by the many lovers who bond
at her shrine; aud the same Nellie
offering herself to the one whom she
secretly rcgards-Who can reconcile
the two picturesH"
"You are mistaken, Lii Almer, if
you imagine ! care for Archer Clay.
tOn," responded Nellie, pctulently.
"And l will accept the wager. Obi
won't il be fuu7" And her dark eyes
sparkled with merrlment c1-cb"
"And yOu really accept the wage!
Nell2" Inquired Maggie,
"Assuredly; not that I care for
Byron's love sick stuff; but / will
show you that Nell Raymond will
dare anythingl" ~ : '''''0~
Her auditors laughed merrily.
"There goes Mr.. Clayton to the
parlor now" presently remarked
Maggie. "Now is your opportunity,
Nellie; your father and mother will
not be ut home until near dinner
time, and you can enjoy your inter.
view undistufbed."
"Yes; 60 on, Nell," urged Lizzie.
'What must be done, .iad as we'll be
done at once, as Aunt Mary says.
We, will walk doW9 70 the glen, and
wait for you there. - = =
Amidst trio Of mirthfuI cachina-
tions, Nsllie arose; while her own
musical laugh echoed that of her
young companions, and with her
eyes brimfnl Of mischief, bent her
steps toward the house; while her
friends, with many q merry glance
after her, started for the glen. ,,,
Pausiug : moment In the hall to
compose Rer bright fsee to . bscow.
ing degree Of gravity, Nellie entered
the pleasant, ahady parlor, where
Archer Clayton was seated alone. In
spite Of her vaunted hardihood, her
heart beat quickly as the long, dark
eyes were raised to hers, and those
clcaSest Of manly tones said: AlaoO
"Good morning, Miaa Nellie"
"Good moraing, sir" returned
Nellie, seating hsTself opposite to
him. = ~ ..i,i7 fto9 =, ',e'el e. N,
Your company Is an unexpected
though most welcome pleasure. said
Archer. With bright emilio, which
illuminated and gloFifed biz thought,
al g. q g w =. f.rTfafNffI Wptrf faTli j 4
"No dOaBS"l sGsbsbaSe Nellie.
And then. with q pfsfsl6Fyiaah |"
she went on saaeily; y 49,
-iNy-dsar M. 6lNytOns your many
Attraations- Ola peFaeAaL character
have indslibIy Impressed ny heart,
and this bsiae leap year, 4 avail my
fslf Of the privilege il aeeords my ssx,
md offer you my hand, my heart AID
my fortuaey whioA iatssrsis immense,
1hsn you 8. soAsidsr lhas I fanrA fossAss
The. rssiRlanl "a. Ikisa .sassrSkabls s,a
declaration frst flushed deeuiy. then