Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1886-08-05
HOW He PROPOSED.
BY NJ. p. c.

HOW HE PROP9SED.
BY NJ. p. C.
Although it was bachelors estab-
Gshment, there were few mansions in
Norwood handsomer than Mr.. How
land Coleman's, and many were the
feminine hearts who would not have
been averse to transform the impos-
ing stone front and its rows of plate
glass windows, against which the al
most priceless lace curtains fell in
foamy grace, into a paradise that
should not be bachelors paradise.
There was villa at Brighton, and
a country seat on the Wye.
There were plenty of friends, plen-
ty Of money, plenty of company
everything in the world but the one
thing needful-a wife for this desir-
able establishment
People wondered-and had been
wondering for twenty years-why
Mr.. Coleman did not marry.
Young girls had grown into portly
matrons, and little children had come
to be stylish young ladies, who fol
lowed the example of their predeces-
sors in angling almost desperately
for Mr.. Rowland Coleman, but sue
cess had crowned no ones efforts,
and the eccentric, handsome gentle
man had gone cody along, utterly
unconscious at the popularity he WAS
continually enjoying, and chuckling
to himself at the oftimes too desper-
ate attempt of the fishers to land
their bait.
Forty-eight found him portly-
not too portly-gentleman, with a
fine, frank face, adorned most splen-
didiy by thick, ,drooping moustache,
bright, laughing eyes, as we'll could
be, and thick, luxuriant gray hair-a
handsome, independent gentleman,
who had all his life liked his bachelor
life and his bachelor home that was
SO gracefully presided over by his
widowed sister, who liked the ladies
remarkably well, but who had never
been convinced he could love any one
as he believed wife should be
loved.
Unless we except little May Dean,
whose blue eyes had once been lifted
to look at this wonderful rich, hand
some gentleman, who was Mrs. An
derson's brother, and Mrs. Ander-
son was one of those genuine, high
bred ladies who was not ashamed to
condescend to be warm, true friend
to May Deans mother, even if Mrs.
Dean did do her plain sewing for her
for Mrs. Dean was a lady, and May
was little darling, and Mrs. Ander-
son had acutely discovered both
facts.
Consequently, May had several
times seen Mr.. Coleman, and once OF
twice he had taken especial notice OF
her, rather enjoying her unconscious
awe Of him, and very much enjoying
her undeniable gentle sweetness OF
manner, and movement, and voice.
He had come to find himself think.
ing frequently about her-so fire.
quently that he had been obliged tc
bring himself to account for presum
ing to give seconds thought to the
insane probability of little blossom
like blue-eyed May Dean caring fol
him-being old enough to be he'
own father. -.-
That size had an eye on his worth
aside from his personal merit, ht
knew was too Incompatible with he1
sweet, shy grace, and reserved, quiet
WAYS to cause him q second thought
This very evening Mr.. Coleman sa
in his library alone.
Mrs. Anderson bad gone to con
cert that night, and Mr.. Coleman wa
Thoroughly revelllng in the prospec
of long, undisturbed evening, whel
a servant raped at the door with
mote on a silver salver.
Mr.. Coleman took it rather coolly
for notes were of such common oc
lcurrence with him, and besides. b.
was already impatient to be in tn
dry details of some projected improve
ment in one of his big, fourishinl
factories-an improvement tina
would be appreciated by the hundred
} and hundreds of operators he EN-
fployed.
So be took the note rather indiffer
emily, and tore it open, hardly seeini
what dainty cream-laid envelope
was, or how neatly it WAS addressed
but distinctly conscious of a faint
nsmeless fragrance, which somehow
prepared him for the sight of th
name subscribed in full-"May Z
Dean"
Just a look of surprise came int
his eyes, and there was just the mel
est possible acceleration in his stead
pulses, not enough to make pei