Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1890-12-18
THE PROPOSAL


1t was late on q September afternoon.
The day had been damp and doleful, and
now at $50 the fog was trying to envelop
everything with its usual obstinate den
sity.
Amid the stream of hurrying, jostling
humanity which swept down the Strand
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
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
imbittered by sordid struggles, 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 ploddcd along, his threadbare coat
buttoned up to the chin, head bent, eyes
fixed on the ground, thinking Of nothing
more or less heroic than the approaching
dinnerho Isuppose, though, that even
hero may be pardoned for being hun
CRY if he has got through the day with
out any luncheon. That was the case
with Paul Ferris, at all events, and con-
sequently he was making the best of his
way homeward, devoutly hoping that his
sister had ordered something substantial
for their evening meal. Presently he
turned off to the right, and passed into
one of those short and comparatively de-
serted 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 black
gown rose from the couch where she had
been lying and advanced to meet him.
s'You have come at last, Paul"
''Yes, little one, and glad to see you
up and looking SO jolly"
'sThe rehearsal was late, was it not?"
''Late? should say it was. Couldn't
even get out to get some lunch"
'sPoor boyi That was tragical, | have
ordered dinner for 6o'clock, SO possess
your soul in patience until then. In the
mean time have bit of news for you"
Ferris threw off his coat and con-
fronted her. mot bad news, childg'
'sNo. On the contrary"
"Good news? All, that's something
novel and refreshing. Let's have it, my
good girl-pray, don't keep me in sus-
pense."
He seated himself by the fireside 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?n
Creditors
ssNo."
Doctor"
"No."
'sMy SOLICITOR
"Wrong again-it was Margaret Stan
hope"
Ferris started and shaded his face
with his hand.
"Well," he asked, after a pause,
"What did she want Of your
'.She was very kind, Paul; inquired
after you, and asked US both to an in
formal dinner on Thursday evening"
''And you accepted"
"Of course; I thought it would be
treat. Surely you do not objecty
II cannot object, Stella, if it would
give You pleasure. Yes. We will go if
fate so wills it,
1T was very kind in her, Paul, to look
us up. Don't you think SO? She has
only been in London week"
Yes, Miss Stanhope has always been
kind and condescending. Do you not
see, my child, that she would make
proteges of us? 1t is the fashion nova
days to patronize beggarly musicians"
Paul, Indignantly, sit 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 SO good and beautiful as
Margaret Stanhope, and you know it.
And Paul.
ssWell?'
II have sometimes fancied"-
A prolonged pause.
ssWe1l, out with it. What have you
fancied?'
''That she cares for you more than
otherwise than as mere friend, mean.
There is an expression in her eyes when
she speaks of you"-
Good heavensl Stella, you are raw
ing" interrupted Paul, springing up and
regarding her fercely. 81 forbid you to
harbor such thoughts for a moment.
Miss Stanhope is as far removed from
me as if she were Of royal blood. Evi-
IDENTIFY you do not realize the difference
existing between an heiress and penni-
less concert singer. p
"But Paul, interrupted Stella in her
turn, you must not forget you are
gentleman born, and our families were
friends in the years gone by"
"a gentleman repeated Paul, disre-
garding the last clause in her sentence
''Yes, the son of an obscure curate,
vagabond by adoption. And am I to
WOO dear Lady Disdain?' Good Godl
You drive me madw
Stella watched him blankly for a mo-
ment as he flung about the room, then
she threw herself on the lounge and
burst into hysterical tears. Naturally
this brought him to his senses at once,
and he patted, and petted, and soothed
and pacified until the storm was over.
ii.
Thursday, the 1st Of October, dawned,
but it brought no prospect of the Ferrises
dining at Kensington
There came instead a small note which
read as follows.
No. 10 SALISBURY STREET, Oct l.
Ny DEAR MISS STANHoPE-My sister is SO very
much worse today that it viii be impossible for US
to dine at your home this evening. She desires
mo TO convey to you her regret and disappoint-