Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-19
DlnY roSf- nfELLI8EHCER,

DAnY fOSf- UfILLIagHCER.
new NE PRor0sED.
Major Clinton was one OF the most
CONTAGIOUS fellows IN the world, accord
mo 70 the men who knew him; but
vhen the ladies of his acquaintance
heard this opinion they laughed 1t to
som, for they considered him the most
timid creature they had eyer seen. DE
vas very fond of ladies' society, they
eaid, or be would not spend all OF his
evenings at parties or making calls; yet
NO one lady, old or yonng. single or
married, had ever known him TO ex-
peeas his regard in any way that was
not extremely decorous and formal.
FIirt? They would a. soon think OF
tombstone OF a telegraph pole attempt
1oSt of the Majors male acquaint-
anoes carried scars on their hearts astne
reeuIt of attacks more honorable than
iudicious, or of sudden surprises 10y fair
skirmishers; bat no one could have I'M
ARMED the Major to have suffered any
n,iehap. for be not only made no recon
noianauces, but he always retired pre-
cipifately within himself at the first
dash Of o pair of eyes leveled directly
at him.
The truth was that the brave Major
vas not only az modest as model
maiden, but be was painfully bashfuI
begides. The one desire of his life was
10 marry, which be was financially able
70 DO, bat the important preliminary
step Of proposing was one he had never
dafed 70 take. Until be had reached
aduit years he had met scarcely any
women but his two orphaned sisters,
70 whom he had tired 70 be father,
and upon whose rare purity and sweet
re- he had based his ideas of woman
hood. Both married and went far from
their old home, 80 they could not help
him TO gain a wife by disabusing him OF
his impression that all women were too
good for him.
To Clinton nearly every woman ap-
peared saint. He worshipped one af-
ter another, although only one at a time,
and his tastes we're 30 correct that he
was Obliged to change his divinity about
once IN three months to avoid worship
ping another mans wife. Whenever an
old scar healed and a delicious throb
hing Of the heart told Of new dart that
had found its way to his heart, he vowed
solemniy 20 propose at once and vary
the dreadful monotony OF having ano-
thsr man step in before him. And each
time be delayed, just for day or a week.
or because be feared too much or hoped
too wildly, and every time he waited
Just little too long-every time but
one.
When the Major met Alice wallerson
be felt that to lose her, too. would be
more than his life could endure. She
was pretty, as all women seemed to the
Major. She was good and she was sweet,
the Major was sure, else why were all
other women unusually fond Of her?
Best Of all, she seemed the most modest
and bashfui maiden in his whole circle
of acquaintance, and through the 30 quail
titles would able 70 offer him sympathy
with feelings that all other people re-
RArdod with provoking smiles.
But how should be propose? Being N
woman. her bashful nature must be far
more sensitive than his own; so, even II
be were to nerve himself for the ordeal.
how could he DO enough Of a brute 10
infict greater trepidation upon her, il
he loved herr Even were she favorably
disposed toward him, no was sure that
listening 10 q proposal would put her
heart In q terrible tumult; how much
moro dreadful would II be, then, for her
10 listen 10 him, should she not be favor
ably disposed2 He knew that she always
looked at him favorably; he felt that che
had even been grateful to him one even
ing, when both, at party, and both,
through timidity, retired TO the same
hAlf-hidden corner Of the drawing-room
each innocent Of the approach of the
other, and each over. anxious, on meet
ing, TO show that the affair was Q mere
accident. This was the only basis of
0linton's hope, and yet-he had been
disappointed 80 many times-he could
not bear even TO think Of the failure
now.
He had made several calls with the
intention OF proposing, but every time
HE courage failed him; besides, Mrs.
Wallers0n or Alice's sister Nell were al
ways In the parlor. OF course he could
not cay before two what he dreaded to
cay even with single nearer. Worse
still, Miss Nell, who was brilliant bru-
nstts Of the irrcpreasible species, could
not avoid teasing him slyly at every
possible opportunity, and he always
Lost bic tongue under her merciless on
slaughts.
Tksn he tried TO propose in writing,
and for q week of evenings he wrote
steadily, with no more satisfactory re-
suit than q note to Mrs. Wallerssn, in
which he intended 70 inolose his pro-
posal.
Chance finally came in play TO his aid.
Mies Neil, ~ one Of trio OF girls who
had devised Q surprise party for a re-
Gently married friend, wrote TO the Ma
joF about the project and begged that he
would call and give her some assistance
with their mutual acquaintance among
gentlemen.
A the Major read her note, brilliant
thought occurred 10 him. While talking
business 4ias Nell certainly would not
endeAvos 10 tease him. His bashfulness
never troubled him while talking with
ladies on any subject requiring common
oeuoe, opinion and executive ability; he
oh0ald therefore be able TO feel at ease
with 4ie Nell. and while in that unu-
sual condition he would make conf
dant Of her and AJAX her advice and as
distance. He would try TO talk TO her as
u ehe wore Q man; u might be a rash
experiment, bat he felt equal to almost
any degree Of rashness whom he thought
ct how many times before he had re-
solved and failed.
30 The Major went to the Wallerson
home. On The evening appointed by mis-
chievous Mis- Nell. with q stouter heart
than b had felt, outside Of business
hours, ein0e the war ended. He arranged
with The young lady 10 bring all Of his
male friends into the surprise party, and
che, rather confessed by her new view OF
ehe MAJORS character. was most ELUSIVE
In thanks; and being only twenty three
years Of ago. and no older than her years
etQnined, was completely astouuded BY
the Major GOODNESS. She could not hello
hstnytng hcr curiosity; she looked at
NJ Major inQuiriuQly. she dropped into
teveries, and she sAid to her mother, who
came 10 the door Of the parlor moment
about some AFFAIR strictly Of family
nature, that Major Clinton was entirely
dteessnt from What she imagined him
But The Major did not know this. and
aSeer the business Of the evening ended
- began 10 feel the old familiar cold
sweat that had been his torment In the
swampsoe theC hicahominy fifteen year.
hoeoeA OonversAticu had droppsd q