Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-09-24
don't see why we should not be mar

ue WcHt Ots WdIM.HS up oH Iiio SuuJee
YOU know perfectly we'll that this
thing has been planned ever since We
came into existence. Imagine the wor
thy grandmother ire did we cross her
in this respect. Mother wants it, Aunt
Jane wants it-every man aliye of them
expects 1t. And I want it, by way Of
afterthought, apparently, as he paused
for reply.
Dorothy's mind moved swiftly, and
the stages through which it travelled
during Halls little speech were many
Angry was its last halting place. Very
evenly, but in tones Enthusiastically sug.
gestiye of lceoergs and glaciers, she
said.
4 don't suppose it makes any differ
ence whether I want it or not
This evidently inspired an entirely
new train of thought in the young mans
mind. lie raised his head in surprise,
Was it possible that any one else had
been making love to hi, little play
mate: !.
why, Dorothy?' he asked. soberly,
as his honest blues eyes met hers.
The girl dropped her eyes quickly
He should not read her thoughts. He
should not see that she was waiting for
him to say the very thing it had not oc.
Cured to him thus far TO say.
Dorothy, look at me-is there any
one else?
The amount OF credulity that Hal
managed to put into that one sentence
touched her girlish pride.
1T does not seem to have suggested
itself to you. Harry, that when man
asks a woman to marry him 1t is some.
times for another reason than because
everybody expects it. If you desire
success I should advise you to take that
into consideration in proposals you may
make hereafter
oh, is that all +" cried Hal, lnfuite
relief that affairs were no worse showing
itself in every line of his face. why
bless your little heart, Dorothy. OF
course love you but it isn't the thing
nowadays to say much about that. One
shouldn't gush. 1t isn't according to
our philosophy. One should discuss
even love calmly and dispassionately
and accept the result, whateyer it may
be, calmly, a. part of his individual des'
Henry smiled kindly and
complacently.
Dorothy looked at him curiously. An
hysterical desire to laugh or cry seemed
suddenly to have taken possession OF
her, but she controlled herself.
WELL she said. finally, If you are SO
calm and collected now as a lover, what
would you be if l were so foo if !
were to marry you?
'Ah replied this nineteenth century
lover eagerly, there is where the beauty
of the thing comes in. If you would
marry me you would find that instead
Of retrogating, as it were-becoming in
dlferent-and everybody does in time,
you know, Dorothy-no one can keep
strung up to concert pitch forever-l
should grow more and more fond and
tender of you and careful of your well
fare. You would see my character un.
fold and rlpen, disclosing new beauties
each day, as the rose opens to the sun.
l should become bright and shining
orb to light your pathway-
To the grave finished Dorothy, as
Hal cloquence came to sudden stop.
"A charming prospect, certainly. 1t
seems us though had heard something
like that last before, but certainly will
give you credit for great originality in
other respects.
Oh, you can laugh said Hal, trile
but assure you this is a
serious matter for both of us
Yes, you are right. 1t is serious
replied Dorothy, the laughter
in her eyes contradicting somewhat the
gravity of the rest OF her face; quite
serious; but, before | consider your
somewhat unique proposal, Henry, it
might be well for me to reply to letter
| had from Mr.. Hazleton this morning.
1t isn't well to have too many offers un-
der consideration at once, you know,
and he certainly has the prior claim,
for he did not hesitate to tell me that
he loved me, even though am sure he
does not.
The laughter had died out Of the
girls eyes, and it was with something Of
a panied expression that she regarded
Hal.
He did not notice this, however, he
only heard her words. and be rose sud
denly by her side-his six feet Of strong
young humanity towering above her.
Yes he cried. wrathfnllY, and you
would rather marry man who says he