The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-04-30
vALERIE,S PROPOSAL.
BY ETHE1IND RAY.

1t was very warm day. So very
| warm, in fact, that Allan Weber could
not help indulging in the thought thai
existence was not exactly pleasure that
| afternoon.
He arose from the luncheon-tabie
| sauntered lazily across the room, and
stood by the window at least fifteen
minutes, yawning and trying to decide
which would require the least exertion
| to go do down town in a street car, OF
| smoke fragrant Havana in the cool
back parlor.
To tell the truth, Mr.. Weber had, thai
afternoon, received visit from those
tormenting, ife-darkening little angels
of satan, known to all modest people, un
der the appellation of 'sblues," and oh
| wonder of wonders all because Fortune
was not smiling upon his little love.
dream, which he was then dreaming.
| with great many heart-thrills, heart.
aches, sighs, etc., which, I am sure, my
dear reader for good reader. or kind
reader, or any other sort of reader)
! life, experienced, and will, therefore
sympathize with my poor hero.
Valerie Church, the object of his
| alteration, was the prettiest and mosi
charming young lady in the whole city
| an heiress and an accomplished coquette
and poor Allan ofteh wished, in despair
| that she wasn't quite so pretty and sweet
for then, perhaps, she would not have SC
many admirers, and he might stand bet
ter chance.
While he was still staring moodily oui
of the window, his sister, Winnie, came
| to his side and rested her head on his
| arm.
t'Allan," she said mischievously
''Valerie is coming over to spend the
afternoon. eff ask her to stay to tea
will you take her homer"
'sWil1 II" said Allan, flushing; and il
was wonderful how rapidly his desire fol
street car vanished. '1 rather think
will, if get a chance
WELL" said Winnie, turning away
with smile, SCI am going upstairs for q
while, and when she comes you must
send for me-"
s'Oh, yes; I'll send for you, in your
mindp' thought the ungrateful fellow, as
he 1ounged into the back parlor and threw
himself on sofa.
How nice and cool and shady it was
in there, and how sweetly the perfume
from the hyacinths out in the garden
was waited in by the soft zephyrs. The
stiffness, the fragrance, the distant hum
of the bees, all bad their influence upon
Allan, and before he knew it, he had
ber, and was living in little rose-col-
ored world all his own and Valerie's.
He wes aroused from mis- sweet Wis
ions by the closing of door, and. half
opening his eyes, he saw the object of
his thoughts -Valerie-coming across
the velvet carpet in a trailing, white
dress.
She was not looking at him, and, with
remarkable presence of mind, he closed
his eyes again and lay perfectly still,
his heart beating so loudly that he
was afraid she would hear it.
She came softly to the sofa, and
stood looking down at him a moment,
then drew an ottoman to his side and
seated herself, leaning her arm-she had
beautiful arms-upon the sofa.
Imagine poor Allan's emotion know
ing that the woman he loved SO passion
ately was SO near, and yet oh, SO far
from him!
He could feel the dimp1ed elbow
pressing his pillow; in imagination he
could see the white sleeve falling away
from the round, snowy arm; the soft,
dusky shadows playing in her dark
eyes, and the wicked, provoking smile
wreathing her red lips.
Valerie had q bewitching, tormenting
way cf keeping her admirers at dis
tance, and none knew this better thau
Allan.
He was well aware that did she know
he was awake, she would never forgive
him for deceiving her, and was just
wondering how in the world he would
extricate himself from this dilemma
without incurring her everlasting dis
pleasure, when suddenly warm, ira
grant breath foated across his face, and
in amazement he opened his eyes just as
brown mustasche lightly and softly (but
oh! not half SO coldIy) as a snowflake.
Poor, happy Allan! The bliss was so
brief, SO unexpected, so enhancing, that
his boasted presence of mind few clear
out of the window and refused to re-
turn. The temptation was too great to
be resisted, and almost before he knew
it, and before Valerie had time to
scream, as most young ladies would
have done upon being detected in such
an act-though there are not many young
ladies as audacious as Valerie, more s
the pity-she was clasped in his arms,
and the stolen kiss was repaid with COM
pound interest.
But alas! Allan's happiness died an
abrupt and ignominious death.
"Mr. Weber, said Valerie, recovering
from her astonishment and indignation,
and drawing her slight form up, with all
the majesty and hauteur of an empress,
'syou have forgotten yourself entirely;
will you please release my hand?"
"But Valerie, dear Valerie" pleaded
Allan passionately, 81 could not help it
indeed could not, love you-I have
loved you so 1ong-but until to-day, un-
til this moment, have been afraid to
speak! But now, darling, say love not
in vainw
Valerie laughed cold, heartless
laugh that struck a bitter pain to Allan's
heart.
"Loye!'' she echoed lightly, "what is
it-what does it mean? Men have talked
to me of love before but I did not under
stand them! Won't you please explain?
do not trife with me, Valerie. : said
Allan, turning suddenly white. Il
know now that you lowe me-you have
given me proof; you are the first woman
I have ever asked to acdept my name
and it is good old namei foo.
s. And don't you forget fitr' interrupted