Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-09-28

respect for me, and lat least have
vindicated the honorable pride of plain
women.
February 20.-Heavens. What a
tumult / am in! Let me write it
quickly; the words obstruct my pen
point.
/ am engaged Actually! AS
evidence, on my finger CLEANS the
prettiest little dew-drop OF a dia-
mond
When he put it on he said:
What pretty little rosy fin
GER" and kissed my hand Nobody
ever said anything so nice to me be-
fore.
This morning he came quite early
in his buggy, with his gun and dog,
and asked me to 60 hunting with him.
1t was a lovely morning. There was
no reason why should refuse, and l
did not want to refuse, so l frankly did
as wished, and went AS we drove
along he said:
you declined my offer the other
day; but why did you cry?"
did not answer.
Were you sorry-for me!" he asked
with little quicker of his lips, and
certain emphasis that seemed to mean
''or for yourself"
For neither you nor myself" l
said, SO stung that | forgot he had
not uttered the words "a woman is
not obliged to tell why she cries, be-
sides, I was laughing"
Eyes, and crying at the same time !;
a little hysterical. Shall 1 tell you
why2"
Twas very angry, but there was no
escape. We were miles out on the
prairie by that time.
''You didn't want to refuse me-, he
went on, "but you thought you must,
because your cousin Matte did, ehI'
began an indignant denial, but he
stopped me. :,
angry, and now let us wipe that out
and start again. Once more, Miss
Merten permit me to offer you my
hand and heart"
Excuse me-" said stiffiy. I have
not changed my mind"
Tell me truly what is in your
mind, he urged "Why do you re
fuse me2 Tell me; [ shall not be an
cry"
You do not love me, exclaimed
impulsively. "You do not even pre-
tend to, and of course | could not be-
lieve you if you did 1t would be out
of the question after all the others to
whom you have made the same of
fer"
He laughed in the jolliest manner
I was awfully offended.
my dear child" he said, 'what do
you expect? Even as a young man [
was not of romantic turn of mind
and years have not lessened my prac-
ticallity. 1 proposed to my wife after
a weeks acquaintance, simply telling
her that if she liked me well enough
to marry me, [ would do my best to
be good husband. We were very
happy, and grew fonder of each other
the longer we lived together. Since
her death | have been lost and brok-
EN- up. | have been for some time
looking about for a new partner, [
have made overtures to several, but
the investment did not meet their
views They had other projects.
Your cousin spoke of you as of one
absolutely free. You have to thank
yourself that | had not thought of
you. You are so shy and hide your
self away SO that man has to exert
himself to find you out AS soon as [
had studied you little l saw that you
suited me better than any woman 1
had met. Now how does the case
stand? | am much in need of some
body to pet you are not altogether
happy Why can't we make joint
stock of our separate discontents, and
draw from them q dividend of united
happiness"
Just here flock of birds started up
from the brush by the roadside. The
trained horse stopped, and dropping
the reins, he seized his gun and fired
so quickly that it seemed impossible
he should have hit anything, but two
birds fell among the bushes, and the
dog plunged eagerly in after them.
He sprang out and walked to the road
side to receive them.
Returning presently with his game
he said smilingly:
81 seem to be better marksman
with the shotgun than with Cupid's
bow
Perhaps your aim with the last is
little Wild" | replied, returning his
smile.
Perhaps so, he said, and relapsed
into silence
well, he said, after time, what
are you thinking OFF,
was thinking" l confessed "that
perhaps the other nineteen had made
a mistake"
"Nineteen2" he said laughing
''Knock off fourteen, won't you2 Only
five, on my honor; the five foolish
virgins, but the sixth is wise