Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-02-09
POPPING THE QUESTION.

| j. e1f lH
! "Why don't you get married p said ,
bouncing girl withsa laughing eye, to 9
ssnooth-fseed. innocent looking youth. =
" ."Well, H." said the youth, stopping
short With Q grasp. and fixing his eyes
upon n'vacancy, with q puzsled and foolish
! "weil. 60 on" said the fair cross-exam-
liner. ineiining. almost impercepsibly near.
er to the young man. ! snow tell me
right out--you what p Ia
1 '.Why Iarpshaw. I don't know"
7 "Yes, you do know-I say you do,
now tell me r. f.'..sss - f...
'Oh, can't tell you" as
81 say you can. Why. you know I'll
never mention it and you may tell me,
of course, You know. for haven't L always
been your friend p asH
J "Yes. know you have, " said the poor,
helpless youth. .a :-s -.-.r : .. .,
.'And I'm sure I always thought you
liked me-" went on the maiden, in tender,
mellow accents. 8srgH s.-.
! 30, | do, upon my word. yes. do.
Maria. said the ansophisticated youth,
very warmly; and he found that Maria
had unconciously placed her hand in his
open palm. t-...rr.
! Then there was silence.
"And then-well?' whispered Maria,
f. dropping her eyes on the ground.
"Eh! o, well ~ said John, dropping
his eyes and Maria's hand at the same
time.
I'm pretty sure you love somebody
In fact said she, assuming tone of rail-
lery, Il know you are in love; aud
John, why don't you tell me all about it
at onceI' -
We'll, +" ....
"Well. 10. you silly mortal, what is
there to be afraid OFF, ......
20, it amt because 1 am afraid of any
thing at all; and Tll-welI. now, I'll tell
you, Maria"
We'll now, john"
Il"
"Yes."
IL am in love. Now, don't tell !;
you won't will you I" said John, violent
ly seizins Maria by the hand, aud looking
in her face with u most imploring express
sion
"Ofcourse not, John: why. you know.
I'll never breathe a word about it. Now,
you know l won't, don't you, John -
This was spoken in low whisper, and
the cherry lips of Maria were SO near
Johns ear, that when he turned TO look
at her. there might have occurred dam
gcrous conclusion.
i
"Well, Maria" said John, ave told
you now. and you shall know all about il.
l have always thought a great deal Of you,
and-''--~-
"Yes, john"
Il am sure you would do anything for
me you could"
"Yes, John, you know I would"
"WeIl, I thought so. and you don't
know how often I've wanted to talk to you
about it."
81 decl.rc, John-why. you might
have told me long since, if you wanted TO;
for never was angry at you in my life. y
Il know you wasn't. and l often have
felt great mind to. but
Its not too late now. you know. John. F"
..Well, now. Maria, do you think l am
! too young TO get married 7"
"Indeed, do not, John; and know
it would be good thing for you, too. for
everybody says the sooner young people
get married the better. when they are
prudent and love one another"
That's just what I think and now.
Maria, do think want to get married,
yon will"
Indeed will. John. for you know 1
always was partial to you, and Eve often
said so behind your back"
.Well, I declare. l have all along
thought you would object. and that's the
reason Eve been afraid to ask you"
Object. I'll die first: so you may ask
me anything you please"
| "And you'll grant it,
al will" ..s---. -
Then J want you to pop the question
for me to Kate Sullivan"
| "What?'
| "EhT'
"Do you love Kate Sullivanf'
'.Iudeed do; with all my heart"
81 always thought you were fool"
"Eh y"
Il say you are fool, and had better
60 home. Your mother wants you-you
stupid exclaimed the mortified Maria.
in shrill terrible. Aud she gave poor
John such slap in the face that it sent
him reeling.
Unhappy Maria-the course Of true
love never runs smooth.