Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1886-09-03
HOW I PROPOSED.

We were seated in luxurious ARM chairs
before the cheerful open fire in jacks
snug smoking-room, enjoying his excel
lent Havanas, when my host broke the
silence which had lasted for several min
utcs with the surprising question, .Did
ever tell you where and how proposed
to my wife2'
nodded negative reply, we'll aware
as did SO that lie knew he had not told
me, but had prcfaced his tale with an in
tcrrogation according to his usual Gus
tom.
'It's quite long story" said Jack in
a warning tone, remembering my aver
sion to lengthy yarns as told by anyone
but myself.
"Ah but such subject" I answered,
settling myself more comfortably in my
c!iair, and drawing the box of Havanas
conveniently near. 81 shall be delight
I'd to hear about it, but what will Mrs.
Taylor say to your telling me3" Iaddcd,
showing how tho partner of my lot
would feel on the subject.
"She has positively forbidden me ever
to speak OF it," said he, laughing, land
have obcycd her until now-with one
or two exccptions-but its too good to
keep"
My curiosity was now fully aroused,
and as Jack would tell tho story, of
course was obliged to listen; and if you
think that in repeating it am acting
unfairly, II: stop at once.
'It was during my second year at Har-
vard," began Jack, knocking the ashes
from his cigar; chow long ago it seems,
but, let inc see. its only eight years. Yes,
it was during my Sophomore year, that
accepted Frank Wilson's invitation to
spend the Easter holidays with him. He
was awfully good company, and knew
that / would be sure to put in jolly
week at his place. Besides, there was
another very strong inducement.
~ was in love at that time with
his cousin, Helen Wilson, who 1 had as-
ccrtained would be of the party. believe
wo used to write to each other. know
| used to spend the greater part of my
time composing verses about her, many
of which, however, I had not the cour-
age to send.
"Whcn I heard that she was to be at
K was delighted. determined to
go to New York and see if we could not
arrange to travel up together.
"When I arrived in that city I went
directly to- her house; but at the door I
learned that she had just left for x
having decided to go day sooner than
she had expected.
II inquired how long she had been
gone, and the servant said about fifteen
minutes. Hoping to ovcrtake her, !
rushed up to the Grand Central Depot.
There was not IN instant to lose. Hasti.
ly buying ticket, tore frantically after
the already slowly moving train, and,
owing to my length of limb, succeeded
boarding the last car.
painting, pesspiring, but exultant. ]
went through each car, in every seat ex-
pecting to find the object of my haste.
81 had gone through all but one when
we entered the tunnel, and 1 was begin
ming to fear that after all perhaps she
might not have taken this train, when,
rs was standing by the door, the ray
of sunlight which came in through the
occasional openings in the tunnel re-
| vealed her, to me seated alone ut no great
| distance ahead OF me.
"My heart gave bound, and scarcely
realizing what was doing rushed up
to her, and grasping her hand, said:
= Darlingl I thought 1 had missed
you.'
"'What do you mean p she exclaimed, /,
in tone of mingled Indignation and
fright. Let go my hand; you have
made mistakep
II obeyed her, thinking that she was
angry at my mode of address.
~ beg your pardon I said. q
should not have spoken to you as did,
but I was 30 rejoiccd to find you that ]
did not remember where We are. But as
have begun, I may as well finish. Oar.
ling, moving a little nearer, will. you
marry me2 You must know that love
you; ] have SO for ages, ev-cver since my
freshman year"