Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-09
mine, jes' the same mark. Obi know
now; l remember"
"What is it ferT'

now; remember"
"What is it fer2"
"It's fer love-"
The Websterian catalogue was too
limited for the bashful young farmer to
find anything to say to this, and SO they
sat in silence, her hand still resting al
most caressingly on his. Out in the sit
ting room could be heard the measured,
solemn tick-tock of the great oaken
clock, and outside the wind breathing
through the trees added certain weird
ness to the Sabbath repose Every now
and then the sound of the old dog in the
woodshed turning over restlessly could
be heard, and all the while the mans
heart was demanding that he should ex-
press himself, a commission the tongue
refused to obey
Finally Martha Ann, without raising
her head, said, dreamily:
"Do you know, James, I've often won
dered why you didn't ever git married.
You see, have always looked upon my
self as a sister to you, wishin' always fer
your welfare and happiness. and have
asked myself agin and agin, Now why
don't he find some good, true girl and
marry her? You'd make some woman
good husband, james; know you would,
you're so good and stidy and home lovin',
and sech men amt plentiful. 1t amt
fer you to be spending your Sunday
evenings with me, who is only your true
friend fer you'd ought to be fndin'
sweetheart an gettin' married and set
tied in life."
"Oh, Martha Annr' he found courage
to say.
She continued as if not noticing the
interruption.
"a man as has reached your age ought
ter be lookin' round him, and there's
a-plenty of girls would have you, too,
a.plenty of them. Now, there's Mary
Gibson-she's good girl as ever lived,
splendid housekeeper, and religious.
Or Sally Stevens, or Esther Lapum, any
of them would jump at the chance to
become Mrs. Simpkins."
James groaned in spirit. The perspira-
tion trickled down his forehead and set
tied in a drop ON the tip of his nose, as
if undecided whether or not it were best
to fall.
ooh, Martha Ann" he said again
plaintively, chow could yer think of sech
a thing?'
She removed her hand from his and
turned her face, now flushed warm by
the fire, until her eyes met his and asked,
as if with the greatest wonder:
"Why not?'
cts you | want, Martha Ann"-his
tongue was getting into line-'it's you as
have been a-planning this year or more
to ask, but somehow you was alters so
sweet lookin' and so quiet that some
how couldn't do it," Surely the unruly
vocal powers were getting very obedient.
GIVE loved yer from little girl-l've
-Pve"-
The machinery stopped suddenly here,
and it was as much as half minute be-
fore he continued.
"You see, don't know how to tell it,
but love you. love you with all my
heart, and alters have, and I've wished
and wished l could tell you, but I
couldn't, bein' so stupid; but I've told
you now, and I'm glad, fer I amt no
room in my heart for no one else."
He was quite choked up with emotion
now, yet in his eyes were a new bold
ness, new inspiration, and he leaned
eagerly forward for her answer.
1t was now her turn to be confused
The willy Martha Ann forgot her cunning
of speech, forgot her well laid plan, and
the first she knew the tears were rolling
down her cheeks. She had no words to
say.
She allowed her head to sink slowly
toward his breast, and hiding her face
there with his strong arms about her,
she gave herself up to the soft passion of
tears.
And then he raised her tenderly and
kissed her over and over again-how
he never knew and will never be able to
explain to himself, for he had no need to
be told she loved him and was his for
all time.
And so they sat silently, while the fire
fickered and grew passionate in turn,
and the old clock ticked with gladder
tone, and even the breathing of the god
of night in the ilacs became subdued.
And so, heart beating against heart, and
hand clasping hand, they sat, too full of
the spirit of love to say aught.
And this is how they became engaged.
Yet still the people of the Big Creek
section are wondering, "Did Martha
Ann really propose%-Fred Warner
Shibley in Boston Globe.