The Press., 1888-03-08
A LEAP-YEAR LETTER.

esting than this Leap Year proposal, writ ten more than hundred years ago, to our great-great-grandfather.
 ssTrne enough but, for all that, it fail ed in its object Our great-great- grand father was not to be snared by any woman who could write him leap year proposal. . ''But you know he was sorry for his be- havior afterward, for he named his .daugh- ter Josephine, after her; and there has al- ways been Josephine in the family ever since-myself being the last in the line. He treasured up her letter, toe." Josephine did not know your name was Josephine I supposed it was Johan- na." ..
 "George Sutherland, you did not r
 "Factl Don't-don't hit me, Josie l" cried the youth, lodging the poker which his cousin was shaking at him. "A fellow ought not to die for what he does not know"
 "That's true-too true. On second thoughts, am obliged to overlook your ignorance. If, dearest cousin, you wish to gain my full forgiveness, you will take this letter around to Stella Drew at once. "But, Josie, to what are you exposing me? She would be sure to think l am in love with her."
 "What a boy you are! Miss Drew is 1 five years your senior"
 "I can't help that,'' said George, with 8 crest.fallen air. ,
 ''Don't think yourself such an object of admiration, then"
 'I never will again. Gan I'see the let ter?"
 'Be careful of it; it is very precious, you know"
 "Would it take the gloss off any to read it?
 "Don't be so silly!"
 "Well, then, listen, Josephine
 "'MY DEAREST JERRY"
 "Oh, read to yourself! I know it by heart.'
 George gave his cousin look in return for her latest snub, and then perused the letter to it's close, when he again spoke: Josephine is all that is signed here. l wonder what her other name was ?"
 'I Iknow-Josephine Nostrand. Wehave an old portrait of her up stairs, with Jose phine Nostrand to Jeremiah Sutherland written on it. Its the same girl'' ] "Whew she must have been desperate ly in love, if the portrait and this letter go for anything-and love was real in those days"
 Josie laughed derisively. 'Little George Sutherland talking about love. It's too amusing"
 George colored with vexation as he took up his sealskin cap and gloves preparatory to starting out on the mission for his cous- in, but he said nothing"
 He was very sensitive concerning the fact that his years numbered less than tW enty, and being quite sentimental also his Cousin Josie found in him rare target for the arrows of jest she was constantly aiming at him.
 George was not always as we'll pleased with these as she imagined; but he bore them all with outward good nature.
 He had not proceeded far on his way be fore thought struck him, and he stopped short.
 Hanged if don't get even with Josie : this time. I'll send that letter to Geralc Arnold. They quarreled like cats anc dogs last week, and know Josie was sor. ry, because caught her crying afterward Half the folks in town call him Jerry, too Ha, ha! He'll think she's proposed tt him, and he'll come around softer thar ever and tell her that he'll accept her pro posal, and my, won't she give it to hlm And me, too if she should find me out but I'll tell her it was only boyish mis take. Ha, ha, ha!
 Here Geofge caught himself laughing aloud in the street, and then hastening on ward, he soon reached the post office where he mailed letter.
 The young man was not mistaken abou the difference between Josie and her lover There had words been spoken that wer not likely to be forgotten by either, and was with conflicting feelings that Josi heard that Mir. Arnold had left town.
 She gave herself no time for thought busying herself in assisting the ladies' so ciety, who were engaged at the time witt their annual charity fair
 So busy, indeed, was Josie, that it wa almost the last evening of the fair befor she remembered her own contribution t Stella Drew's curiosities, and wondering George had properly described and labele it, she stole time from her labors at re freshnent table to look it up
 But among the grotesque faces and old fashioned chirographies which. intereste = almost every one, Josie's leap-year lette was not to be found.
 Stella Drew was certain it had neve been handed in, as Josie supposed it ha been.
 George was hastily sought for, but Jo sie's father informed them that Georg had returned to his home some fifty mile Is away.
 This was true.
 He had just at evening met MT. Geral Arnold in the street, and the chance CT o counter had been such a shock to hi n nerves that he speedily resolved to sacrific . the social event of the season, which ha been the object of his visit to his uncle'f the great charity ball, which was to occu next evening.
 George was scared.
 What cyclone might night not an expla nation between the estranged lovers le loose upon him after all. Speedy figh was his most certain resource.
 "Well, never!" thought Josie, vexed -~ iy. She had relied upon George for a escort to this very ball. II presume shall have to remain at home myself now.
 The voice of her assistant at the refresf ment table broke in upon her.
 "Josie, please uncork that last bottle C syrup! MT. Arnold would like glass C raspberry"
 Josie darted quickly behind the crimso curtain, and laid nervous hands upon tn bottle.
 Now, this last bottle of syrup had bee reserved until the last on account of a dii ficulty in uncorking it which had present ed itself at the first trial. 1 Josie's first effort was violent wrench which resulted in a catastrophe.
 The bottle broke, cutting her white ham mercilessly, and running her ivory cash m0r0 dress with ikS Confonko