The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-07-25
WHO MADE THE PR0POSALP

Matty was twenty years old and the
doctor was thirty. Her eyes were
brown and his were gray. She had on
q pink calico dress aud "a white mus
lin apron he wore clean, cool. looking
linen clothes, and IL wide Panama hat.
The gentleman admired the lady's
flowers very much, especially the white
roses, one Of which, by the way, she
had tucked under her ear she i1quir-
ed, with considerable show of interest,
about the Ruggles children, who had
the measles. He told her bravely all
about Tommy and Ben, Alice and
Kit; and when he had finished, a si-
lence fell upon them.
Matty was leaning on the garden
gate, looking down the village street.
She thought how funny it was for Mr..
Scott to paint his new house pea-green,
with lavender trimmings, and was
about to say it to DR.. Gibson when he
stopped her.
Ile said the very thing she would
not have expected to hear. He said
"Matty, love you and want you
to marry me p
The very look in the bright, brown
eyes would have told him without
single spoken word, how thoroughly
unlocked for such a proposal had
been. She had never in all The years
she had known DIR. Gibson thought
for a moment Of the possibility of his
loving her. She was very sorry, she
told him, but she didn't love him one
bit, at least that way. But the tears
came came into her eyes, as she saw
the quiet face grow triAe pale.
81 hardly believe you did care for
me-" he went on, after pause. "But
hoped you might yet learn to do it"
"But-but," said Matty, with en-
barrnssment, ~ thought every one
knew was engaged to my cousin
rom"
"Your cousin Tom?" echoed the
doctor. 1t was impossible to mistake
the expression that passed over his
face. 1t was not merely a personal
regret at the fact that she announced
but an impartial disapproval at the
match.
He made no commeat, however, but
directly said:
"Matty, l shall never get over this
i mean that ! shall always love you,
and if you need a friend or protector,
or-or any one, you'll come to me,
won't you ?"
She promised and held out her hand
10 him. He shook it warmly, said,
"God bless you" and left her hurried
ly.
Matty, still led lpg on the wooden
gate, watched the retiring figure out
/ Of sight. She was very quiet all day
and in the evening propounded this
absurd question:
tom what would you do if should
jilt you?"
Tom stroked his downy upper lip
and looked pensive.
"Couldn't say," he replied after
some moments of reflection. "You
might try and see"
Perhaps 1 WILL" she replied, more
soberly than the occasion seemed to
warrant. Tom stared very hard at
her, but Immediately forgot the Incl
dent.
Nearly a year passed. One day
Mrs. Kellicott's "help" rushed franti-
cally into DIR. Gi5son's house, and
breathlessly announced to the gentle
man that "Mr. Tom would be dead
er'n door nail long before he got
there if he didn't jump" For two
seconds, thinking Of him as his rival
in Matty's affections, the doctor had
half mind to eonsign him to the ten.
der mercies of good, stupid old DIR.
Wells; but his tender nature prevail
ed, and he started for Mrs. Kellicott' S
at the very heels of the excited SER
want.
When he arrived he found Tom in
q high fever and delerious. He pro-
nounced it severe case of typhoid
fever. and privately added a doubt
that he would recover. He sent tC
his own house for changes OF clothing
and prepared to devote himself to the
sick man. Maity, too, was unwearied
in her work, and, being necessarily
much in Toms room, consequently saw
the doctor constantly. He and hi;
patient presented a marked contrast
ia each other; the latter was caption;
and peevish to an unheard Of degree
and talked incessantly of some un
known being named Kate. On the
other hend, DIR. Gibson was so patient
and gentle, so strong, helpful, doing
so much for Tom, and yet forgetting
none of his accustomed duties, thai
Matty opened her eyes in admirin2
astonishment.