Connecticut western news., 1889-02-13
"Have what2"


 "This is leap year, and uncle will get proposal from Mrs. Dayton; if he doesn't, my name is not Katharine Dale, |" answered Kate, holding her head sagely, while her dark eyes spoke volumes of mischief. ''Kate, what do you mean7 How can you make her propose?'
 "Just wait and you will sec. I can manage that part perfectly well, re- torted Kate, as she danced gayly out of the room and ran up stairs, where she was soon busily engaged in some mys- terious scheme. Meanwhile MT. Morton had not spent very enviable forenoon, for the words Kate had spoken in the morning kept ringing in his ears, spite of all efforts to | forget.
 "Bosh!" he exclaimed at last, throw ing down his pen for the twentieth time, | and glancing at his watch. "One o'clock, and I have done nothing today. What fool am! Of course Kate was only joking Mrs. Dayton would not dare to propose. We'll, Tom, what is its" he asked, as an errand boy en- l tered.
 GA letter, sir" said the lad, as he handed Mr. Morton large yellow mis- sive, and then darted quickly out of the door with broad grin upon his face.
 MT. Morton tore open the envelope and drew forth the letter. His hand shook, and great drops of precipitation broke out on his brow while he read the following lines:
 M,'. Morton:
 DEAR SIR,-I take the advantage which this year affords to my sex to inform you of the tender feel ng I have long felt for u, and believe that my sentiments are re- turned. I understand that your nieces are to be married soon, and I know that you will want some lady to care for your hou e. and greet you with soothing words of cheer, when you return home weary with the busi- ness cares of the day. Therefore I conquer | my modesty and plainly ask you to marry me. Hoping to receive a favorable reply soon, I1emain, Yours truly,
 NANCY DAYTON.
 "Heaven and earth!" gasped MT. Morton, letting the letter drop from his trembling hands, and starting to his feet. ''Kate was right. She intends to marry me whether or no. What on earth am to do9' he groaned, sinking back into his chair and dropping his throbbing s head upon his hands despairingly.
 It is an old adage that Git never rains but it pours, and so thought Mir. Nor ton, for the next moment a clerk put his head in at the door and said:
 eff you please, sir, Mrs. Dayton is in the store and wishes to see you at once upon important business"
 "Eh! What?" almost shrieked Mir. Morton. "Mrs. Dayton in there? what shall I do?" he cried, starting up wildly and darting behind the door.
 "Yes, sir. What shall I tell her2" said the clerk, looking as if he thought thai Mir. Morton had gone crazy.
 ''Oh, for mercy's sake don't let hel come in here!" he exclaimed in shak, ing voice. ''Don't, Brown, there's { good fellow. Tell her anything-that am Ill, or not in-tell her to come ir some other time. Get rid of her quick, some way or other: but for Heavens sake don't let her come in here. I wont see her on any terms whatever"
 "All right, sir" said Brown, as ht backed out of the office, almost choking with laughter, as the situation of affair: and the cause of Mir. Mortons frantic ac tions flashed through his mind.
 ooh my stars!" groand MT. Morton, as the door closed behind Brown "What on earth am I to do? Kate wal right. What fool was that I did no ask Bessie Bell to marry me years ago Then would have been safe from tn, clutches of that brazen faced widow"
 He stepped from his place of retreat and, sinking into the nearest chair bowed his head upon his hands in per plexed thought. Suddenly bright ides struck him, and he exclaimed:
 "1ll do it yet-right away, too, ant be done with it!'
 Springing to his feet, he seized hi hat and gloves and put them on hurried ly. Then he went to the door, and in nervous whisper called out to the. clerk
 "Brown, has she gone yet2'
 "Yes, sir" replied Brown, while broad smile spread over his face.
 "Well, I am going home; am i'll you will attend to locking up the store.
 "Certainly," returned Brown.
 MT. Morton hurried out and wake, rapidly up the street until he arrived a a tiny white cottage. Here he stoppe' and rang the bell. The door was opene' by pretty, dark haired, brown-haire, woman of 35 or 40, who, when sh caught sight of her visitors flushed face and noticed his excited manner, ex claimed:
 "Mr. Morton, are you not wella Wha has happened?"
 Nothing, Bessie. Yes, I mean have come to-to-" he stammered and then stopped confused and crimson
 "Come in," said Miss Bell, calmly leading the way into cosy sitting room