The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-16
WHO MADE THE PROPOSALg

WHO MADE THE PROPOSAL?
DIR. Gibson, having made an unpro-
fessional visit to Mrs. Kellicott, walked
down to the gate with her daughter
Matty.
Matty was 20 years old, and the doc
tor was 30. Her eyes were brown, and
his were gray. She chad on pink
calico dress and white muslin apron !;
he wore clean, cool-looking linen clothes
and 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 inquired
with considerable show of interest about
the Ruggles children, who had the
measles. He told her gravely all about
Tommy and Ben, Alice and Kit ; and,
when he had finished, silence fell upon
them.
Matty was leaning ON the gate, look
ing 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 80 to
DR.. Gibson, when he stopped her.
He said the very last thing she would
have expected to hear. He said {:
Matty, I love you, and want you to
marry me !"
The very look in the bright, brown
eyes would have told him, without
single spoken word, how thoroughly un-
looked-for such q proposal had been.
She had never, in all the years she had
known DR.. Gibson, thought for mo-
ment of the possibility of his loving her.
She was very sorry, she told him, but
she didn't love him one bit, at least in
that way. But the tears came into her
her eyes as she saw the quiet face grow
trife pale.
"I hardly believed you did care for
me-" he went on, after pause. But
I hoped you might yet learn to do it"
But-but-" said Matty, with en-
barrassment, CT thought every one
knew was engaged to my cousin
Tom"
"Your cousin Tom |" echoed the doc
tor. It was impossible to mistake the
impression which passed over his face.
1t was not merely personal regret at the
fact she announced, but an impartial
disapproval of the match.
He made no comment, however, but
directly said:
"Matty, shall never get over this
I mean that 1 shall always love you,
and, if you need friend or protector,
or-or any one, you'll come to me, won't
you9"
She promised and held out her hand
to him. He shook it warmly, said "God
bless you |" and left her hurriedly.
Matty, still leaning 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 youG"
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 I will, she replied more
soberly than the occasion seemed to
warrant. Tom stared very hard at her,
bnt Immediately forgot the incident.
Nearly year passed. One day Mrs.
Kellicot's "help" rushed frantically into
DIR. Gibson's house, and breathlessly
announced to that gentleman that |" Mr..
Tom would be deader'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 consign him to the
tender mercies of good, stupid old DIR.
Wells; but his better nature prevailed,
and he started for Mrs. Kellicott's at the
very heels of the servant-girl.
When he arrived he found Tom in
high fever, and delirious. He pro-
nounced it severe case of typhoid
fever, and privately added doubt that
ne would recover. He sent to his own
house for changes of clothing, prepared
to devote himself to the sick man. Mat
ty too, was unwearied in her work, and,
being necessarily much in Toms room,
consequently saw the doctor constantly.
He and his patient presented marked
contrast to each other. The latter was
captious and peevish to an unheard. of
degree, and talked almost necessarily
Of some unknown being named Kate.
On the other hand, DIR. Gibson was 30
patient and gentle, so strong and help
ful, doing.so much for Tom, and yet not
forgetting one of his accustomed duties,
that Matty opened her eyes in admiring
astonishment.
One morning, as the doctor prepared
a sleeping draught for somebody, and
dictated to Matty prescription fol