The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-14
WHICH PROPOSED?

20 years old, and the Doctor was 30. Her eyes
we're brown, and his were gray. She "had
on" pink calico dress and white muslin
apron and he wore professional black. The
gentleman admired the Iady's flowers very
much, especially the roses, one Of which, by
the way, she had tucked under her chin. She
inquired, with considerable show Of interest
about the Ruggles children, who had the
measles He told her, graveiy, all about
Tommy and Ben, Alice and Kit, and when
he had finished, O silence fell upon them.
Matty was leaning on the gate, looking
down the village street. She thought how
singular 1t was for Mr.. Scott TO paint his
veranda pea-green, with lavender borders,
and was about to say so to DIR. Gibson, when
he stopped her. He said the very last thing
she would have expected to hear. He said,
"Matty, love you, and want you to marry
MEL
Her very look would have told him, with
out single spoken word, how thoroughly
unlocked for such proposal had been. She
had never, in all the years she had known DR..
Gibson, thought for a moment Of the posi-
biity 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 tears came to her
relief, as she saw the quiet face grow q trlfle
overcast.
~ hardly believed you did care for me-" he
went on, after pause. "But hoped you
might learn to do it,"
"But-but," said Matty. with embarrass-
ment. "I-I thought every one knew was
engaged to my Cousin Tom"
"YOur Cousin Tom !" echoed the Doctor.
1t was impossible to mistake the expression
which passed over his features. 1t was not
nouneed, but an impartial disapproval Of the
match He made no comment, however, but
directly said "Matty, shall never get over
this-I mean that shall always love you;
and if you ever need friend or protector, or
or any one, you'll come TO me. won't you Z"
She promised, and held her hand to him.
He shook it warmly, said BLESS you" and
left her hurriedly
Matty, still leaning ON the little wooden
gate. watched the retiring figure out Of sight.
ing propounded this absurd question: tom,
what would you do il ! should jilt your
Tom stroked his downy upper lip, and
looked pensive.
ments Of reflection. "You might try it, and
see
perhaps will" she responded, more Sc
riousiy than the occasion seemed to warrant
/
got the incident.
Nearly year passed. One day Mrs. Keli-
colts servant rushed into DIR. GibsOn's house
and breathlessly announced to that gentle
man that "Mr. Tom would be dead as o door
nail long afore he got there, If he didn't run"
For two seconds, thinking Of Tom as his rival
| in Matty's affections, the doctor had half q
mind to consign him to the tender mercies Of
good. stupid, old DR.. Wells; but his better
/ 1oI bn or fnI for Mra Il
/ licott's at the very heels Of the excited ser
vant-girl. When he arrived he found Tom in
high state Of deIirium. He pronounced it
severe case Of typhoid fever, and privately
He sent to his own house for some changes Of
clothing, and prepared to stop for the present
with the sick man. Matty, too, was I'M
wearied in her work, and being necessarily
much in Toms room, consequently saw the
doctor constantly.
| He and his patient presented marked coma
trast to each other. The latter WAS CROSSE
captious and peevish to an unheard Of degree,
and talked necessarily Of some unknown be-
! ing named Kate. On the other hand, DIR.
and helpful, doing 80. much for Tom, and
yet not forgetting one of his accustomed dti-
/ ties, that Matty opened her eyes In aston
I ishment.
sleeping draught for some patient, and die
else, she said with real solicitude, "Dr. Glib
son, you will certainly kill yourself if you
keep on at this rate, and It's my belief that
you are overworked and you ought to take a
rest"
''Do appear to be at deaths doorY' he in
quired strengthening up, and squaring his
| shoulders as If proud Of his proportions.
"No, Matty,'' he continued, solefnnly, though
with merry twinkle in his eyes, "work, as
Mrs Bowers frequently remarks, 'is q pana-
cea.'" Matty understood him, and colored
crimson.
At last Tom was pronounced out Of danger.
belongings from Mrs. KelIcott's house to his
own. Matty, hidden by the honeysuckie
vines Of the piazza, watched him go, and cried
q little.
The morning after, Tom and Matty sat Oh
the lawn; he reading or pretending to read,
uttered word for more than half an hour
Presently Matty shook out the muslin cap
she was making and laid it on her work box
put her little silver thimble aside, and dropped
her hands one over the other in her lap. Then
she looked up.
Tom WAS staring straight at her. She
colored violently, and 80, for that matter
did he.
"Iotn" she began do Thea be an Ycgaa D.
think how she could tell him softly; but went
ON bluntly, Il want to end our engagement
$50 do l." reioined he with difficulty re
pressing whistle.
They both burst into hearty laugh.
you see, Mat" said Tom, when ne cOult
speak, Il love some one else.
Matte appeared TO be taken quite by sur
prise by this declaration.
But couldn't help it; indeed / couldn't
She is"
'tShe Is young lady whose name is Kate
and her eyes are the blacklist, her cheeks tn
: ruddiest, and she sings Under the Stars,
with guitar accompaniment" ratified Matte
all in breath.
1t was now Tom turn to stare.
: "Where did you find all that out?" he asked
"My dear, o little bird whispered it..
think III GO and write to my future cousin,
and off she ran. glad to escape from the ques
lions which she feared he might PROFOUND.
'But you haven't told me" he called afte
her.
, "And never shall, she returned, Whiskinl
, into her own room.
,, In less than half an hour she had reconcile'
: her mother to fate's DEGREES, had written T.