The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-12-07

L.
suppose shall be an old maid.''
| But the Doctor was not to blame. A
man OF the world would have seen
through Matty's stratagem, but he did
not; he imagined that she was either
trying to drown her disappointment
at losing Tom, or had really decided to
marry the enamored WILL;
The truth occurred to Matty at last.
She could hardly believe such stupidity
existed in the mind of man but she
determined to try what modest and
retiring behavior would effect. She
dismissed Will, and became, to all out
ward resemblances, q little nun. Still
no advance on the. Doctors. part. He
came and went constantly to- the house,
however. Matty gave up all hope,
finally, of ever coming to better under
standing with him. when something
happened.
DR.. Gibson dropped in one morning
when Mrs. kellicot sat sewing on the
pleasant veranda in the cool, refresh.
ing breeze.
'.You mustn't come here" she called,
as he tied his horse to the hitching-
post. "My work requires my undivid.
ed attention !; besides. you'll step on
the rufles. You may go and help
Matty, if you like"
That young woman was making pies
in the kitchen. She saw the doctor
coming round the corner of the house,
give a hurried glance at the bright
bottom of tin pan she was holding,
found herself presentable, and greeted
HIM composedly. She was very glad
to see him, she said. Wouldn't he
come in?
No, he wouldn't come in, the day
was 80 beautiful. He would Just
stand on the little brick pavement
under the window, and lean over the
sill. So there he stood under the
grapevine trellis, with Il little golden
sunshine falling over his hair and
shoulders. Matty observed that he
looked thoroughly unloverlike, and
concluded that he didn t intend to pro-
pose. She also noticed a rip in his
coat, and wondered who would mend
it for him.
Someway the talk veered round
from the weather to woman's 8 rights.
Matty, on this, spoke up.
She didn't at all believe in the sec-
ond-hand influence which reached the
ballot-box through the agency of hus-
bands or brothers. ''When l vote,"
she said, II want to march to the polls
and put in my own vote my own SELF"
"What pretty spectacle you'd
make, Matty, with that rolling.pin in
your hand, and
''l'm not at all sure want to vote,"
she interrupted. .'But I would like to
make some laws, that's all.'
''Well, you might petition the Leg
islature," suggested the Doctor grave
ly.
"0h, they re not legal laws; only So
cial customs and usages. I'll tell you
what mean." She laid the rolling
pin aside, with an emphatic bang,
placed her floury arms akimbo, looked
very earnest and determined, and
quite regardless Of the fact that she
and DR.. Gibson were in love with each
other. ''Now, at party, when a lady
sits in a stuff-chair all the evening,
not dancing, simply because she hasn't
any partner, and can't ask any one, oh,
you know, DIR. Gibson, you know
''How it is myself interpolated he.
1
other night If had been Anna Rad
cliffe, or Dora Coliard, I'd have asked
some Of you men to dance with me.'
"Then you think women should have
the privilege of asking for whatever
they wish,' he retorted, with smile.
She answered that she thought just
that.
"Well, Matty, l quite agree with
you. I not only think they should
have this right in such 4 case as you
mention, but in more serious affairs.
For instance, women might, with per-
feet propriety, make proposals of mar
riage."
Now, such an idea had never enter.
ed Matty's little head, and she seized
the sugar.box with great embarrass-
ment. The Doctor went on, with much
gravity:
Il am aware that it would be very
unconventional proceeding, and am
afraid that no woman will ever be
wise enough to take the initiative
and yet am persuaded that in many
instances it would be the most natural
and beautiful thing she could do
| He was looking unconsciously up at
the blue sky shining through the fila.
gree work Of vine-leaves above him.
1t was evident he was thinking in the
abstract only. but a faltering little
''Dr. Gibson recalled him to the con-
crete. And there stood Matty, smil-
ing, blushing, dimpling, ready to ex.
t!nguish herself in her brown gingham
apron.
"Dr. Gibson, I like you ever so
much - she faltered, bravely, but
breathlessly.
The Doctor jumped through an open
window, and made his proposal over
again.
THE GREAT PANACEA.-In this sea-
son of rheumatism, chilblains, FROST
bites, etc., nothing better can be kept
in the house than Merchants celebrated
Gargling Oil. 1t is peculiarly adapted
to Family use, yet it answers equally
well for horses and other animals. 1t
is free from stain, and at the same
time very efficacious in all instances
where liniment is required.-ROch-
ester IN. " Daily Union and Adver.
tisor.
Publish that which Is good. DR.. J.
H. McLean's Strengthening Cordial
and Blood Purifier is life.saving
remedy. imparts vigor, health and
strength to the system, purifies and
enriches the blood. DR.. j. H. Mel Lean,
3l4 Chestnut, St. Louis, Mo.
Il