St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-16
HOW he PROPOSED.


smoking-room, enjoying his excellent Ha-
vana's, when my host broke the silence
which had lasted several minutes with the
surprising question: did ever tell you
when and where proposed to my wife?"
nodded negative reply, well aware as
did so that he knew he had not told me.
but had prefaced his tale with an interro-
cation according to his usual custom.
Its quite long story, said Jack in
warning tone, remembering my aversion to
lengthy yarns as told by anyone but nv
self.
''Ahl but such subject" I answered,
settling myself more comfortably in my
chair and drawing the box of Havanas con-
veniently near.
Il shall be delighted to hear about it, but
what will Mrs. Taylor say to your telling
me?" added. knowing how the partner Of
my lot would feel Oh the subject
''She has positively forbidden me ever to
s eak of it." said he, laughing, land
have obeyed her until now-with one or
two eXceptions-but it's too good to keep"
My curiosity was now fully aroused, and
as Jack would tell the story, of course
was obliged to listen; and if you think that
in repeating it am acting unfairly, I'll stop
at once.
''1t was during my second year at Har-
ward, began Jack, knocking the ashes from
his cigar. How long ago it seems; but
let me see. it's only eight years. Yes, it
was during my sophomore year that l &C.
cepted Frank Wilson's invitation to spend
the Easter holidays with him. He was aw-
fully good company, and l knew that L
would be sure to put in a jolly week at his
place. Besides, there was another very
strong inducement.
81 was in love at that time with his
cousin, Helen Wilson, whom | had ascer-
tanned would be of the party. believe we
used to write to each other. l know |
used to spend the greater part of my time
composing verses about her. many of which,
however, l had not the courage to send.
when heard that she was to be at
x was delighted. l determined to go
to New York and see if we could not ar
range to travel up together.
when arrived in that city l went d-
rectly to her house; but | learned at the
door | learned that she had just left for
X, having decided to go day sooner
than she had expected.
Il inquired how long she had been gone,
and the servant said about fifteen minutes.
Hoping to oyertake her I rushed up to the
0iouo SOutldl oCpOt. 1HSl0 WAS uUG ali
instant to loose. Hastily buying a ticket,
l tore frantically after the already slowly
moving train, and owing to my length of
limb succeeded in boarding the last car
Painting, perspiring, but exultant I
went through each car in every seat ex-
pecting to find the object of my haste.
Il had gone through all but one when
we entered the tunnel, and l was beginning
to fear that after all perhaps she might not
| have taken this train, when, as | was
standing by the door, the rays of sunlight
which came in through the occasional
openings in the tunnel, revealed her to me,
seated alone, at no great distance ahead
of me.
my heart gave bound, and scarcely
| realizing what l was doing, l rushed up to
her, dropped into the vacant place beside
her, and, grasping her hand, said:
Darling! thought had missed you.'
"'What doyou meant she exclaimed, in
| tone of mingled indignation and fright.
Let go my hand; you have made a mis-
take
81 obeyed her, thinking that she was
| angry at my mode of address.
~ beg your pardon, l said. I should
| not have spoken to you as l did, but was
so rejoiced to find you that did not re-
member where we are. But as l have be-
gun, may as well finish. Darling moving
little nearer, will you marry me? You
must know that love you; have done so
for ages, ev-ever since my freshman year.
But the mention of that astonishing
piece of constancy produced no result in
my favor. She turned her back upon me.
if possible, more completely than she had
done before. But would not give up.
Can't Won Iowa mo q Iittlaq, iprnirod
tenderly, trying to take her hand. But she
snatched it away and declined either to
turn her head in my direction or to answer
my question.
''As the train was making tremendous
noise, thought that perhaps she couldn't
understand ME, so 1 repeated my words at
the top Of my lungs. She made some re-
ply, but didn't catch it.
"'What do you say, dear?' l bawled.
81 don't even know YOU she answered,
in what sounded like shrill whisper, but
the tone was in reality shrek.
81 thought l could not have heard Alright,
and to convince myself that it was my hear
ing that was at fault, L planted my glasses
more firmly on my nose and took closer
inspection of her.
'''I tell you | don't know you,' she re-
peated, bringing her foot down Oh mine
with much energy; leave me this moment
or PIP
Here the train emerged from the tun-
mel, and you can picture my amaZement,
horror and modification when l tell you
that found that the girl to whom I had
seen screaming out my love was an ute
stranger to me.
''Dazed and scarlet I arose from my seat.
L beg your pardon, said, removing
my hat; I have taken you for some one
else
Not observing how my apology was re-
ceived, l retreated to the smoking-car
where remained until we reached X,
too stunned even to think.
When left the train. in looking about
for some sort of conveyance to take me to
the Wilson's place, found, to my increased
embarrassment, that the girl to whom had
so recently offered myself was standing
on the platform apparently waiting for
someone.
THAT she saw me could tell from the
expression of not seeing ME which she i'm
mediately assumed. AS she would not look
at me, | had plenty of opportunity to OBJ
serve her, and saw that she really did re-
semble Helen in many ways, notwithstand-
ing she was both farer and smaller.
But my object was not to admire her,
although assure you my inclination was;
so finding that there was no hope of OBJ
tanning vehicle, l started on foot, for
tunately getting a lift the greater part of
the way.
ARRIVED at the house, I was welcomed
with much cordality by my host and his
family, and introduced to the other guests.
Imagine my feelings when, in the course
of the conversation, l learned that Franks
sister was expected home from boarding
school that afternoon by the very train on
which | had come.
ut was then to her I had been making
love, instead of her cousin. My disposition
was to turn and run. but knew l should
have to stay and make the best of it. so |
SmOthered nv notification and when