Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-12-17
THE PROPOSAL.
From the Rnffaln News.

from the bulldlO news.
1t was late on September afternoon.
The day had been damp and doleful,
and now at $50 o'clock the fog was try
ing to envelop everything with its usual
obstinate density.
Amid the stream of hurrying, jostling
was man whose face might have at
tracted attention if there had been any
one in that motley crowd not wholly en-
crossed in selfish interests. 1t was a
fine, dark face, beautiful in its way, but
marked by lines and shadows--the face
of man who was fighting against the
world and who was losing the battle,
and yet man whose nature had not
been embittered by sordid struggles, a
man who had suffered and grown
strong. Such one was Paul Ferris,
only he would have been very much
surprised to have heard it said.
He plodded along, his threadbare coat
buttoned up to the chin, head bent,
ewes fixed on the ground, thinking of
nothing more or less heroic than the
approaching dinner hour. [ suppose,
though, that even a hero may be par
doned for being hungry, if he has got
through the day without any luncheon.
That was the case with Paul Ferris, at
all events, and consequently he was
making the best of his way homeward,
devoutly hoping that his sister had or
dered something substantial for the
evening meal. Presently he turned off
to the rightand passed into one of those
short and comparatively deserted
streets which run from the Strand to
the Embankment. Here he entered
one of the row Of lodging-houses and
was soon in its dingy sitting room, with
its dismal-hued carpet and upholstery.
AS he came in pale-faced girl in a
black gown rose from the couch where
she had been lying and advanced to
meet him.
''You have come at last, Paul"
eyes, little one, and glad to see you
up and looking SO jolly
1.-THE rehearsal was late, was it not ?"
Late Ishouldsay it was. Couldn't
even get out to get some lunch"
"Poor boy That was tragical. /
possess your soul in patience until then.
IN the meantime [ have bit of news
for you"
Ferris threw off his coat and confront
ed her. 'sNo bad news, child"
"No. On the contrary"
''Good news? All, that's something
novel and refreshing. Let's have it my
good girl-pray do not keep me in sus-
pense."
He seated himself by the freside and
took off his gloves, looking across at his
sister with a somewhat cynical smile
'To begin with, who do you think
called here this afternoon ~
"Creditors?'
mo"
Doctor"
sNo."
'My solicitor ?''
Wrong again-it was Margaret STAN
hope"
Ferris started and shaded his face
with his hand.
e'Well," he asked, after a pause,
sswhat did she want Of you?''
''She was very kind, Paul; inquired
after you, and asked us both to an in
formal dinner on Thursday evening""
"And you accepted ?f
tf0f course; tho ught it would be a
treat Surely, you do not object ?"
81 cannot object, Stella, if it would
give you pleasure. Yes; we will go, if
late SO wills it,"
'It was very kind in her, Paul, to
hook us up. Don't you think so? She
has only been in London week"
eyes. Miss Stanbope has always
been kind-and condescending. Do
you not see. my child, that she would
nowadays to patronize beggarly must
Clans"
Paul" Indignantly, cit is not like
you to be such bear. What makes
you speak so? You know it is not true
How could she patronize us? Why, we
knew her when she wore short dresses
and played with doll babies. There is
no one in the world go good and beauti-
full as Margaret Stanhope, and you know
it, And Paul"
swell? ?"
81 have sometimes fancied-"
A prolonged pause.
"Well, out with it. What have you
fancied?"
''That she cares for you, more than
otherwise than as a mere friend, / mean.
There is an expression III her eyes when
she speaks of you"
Good heavens Stella, you are raw
ing" interrupted Paul, springing up
and regarding her fiercely. Il forbid
you to harhor such thoughts for a mo-
ment Miss Stanhope is as far removed
from me as if che were of royal blood.
Evidently you do not realize the differ
ence existing between an heiress and a
penniless concert singer. /"
but, Paul, !" interrupted Stellain her
turn, ''you must not forget you are
gentleman born, and our families were
friends in the years gone by"
"a gentleman 2' repeated Paul disre
gardIng the last clause in her sentence.
ayes, the son OF an obscure curate,
vagabond by adoption. And am / too
WOO dear Lady Disoainp Good God
You drive me mad p
Stella watched him blankly for a
moment as he flung about the room,
then she threw herself on the lounge
and burst into hYStarical tearS Natl1r-