The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-07-22
ROBINS0N'S W00ING.

his love for her. Once he had proposed
to her, and on that occasion she had-to
use his own worjs-"made q fool Of
him, 20 that he hesitated about repeat.
ing the experiment. But finally he
mustered up his courage, and then the
question as to how he should propose be-
came leading and pertinent
AT first lie thought it would b advis-
able to take her out for drive. He had
heard from intimate friends that girl
in the course OF an afternoon drive can
not help but tell the man that she loves
him-thst is, il she does love him-so he
came TO the conclusion that the drive
was the best way out Of the difficulty.
But an examination OF his pocketbook re-
veoled the fact that after all there might
be better ways. He then suggested to
himself that perhaps it would be well to
take her to some one OF the dances to
which they both had invitations. He
explained this scheme to his friend, Rap
leigh, and Rapleigh Immediately discour-
agedit.
Raplsigh recalled to his mind the fact
that dances are generally we'll attended,
and that proposing in crowd calls for .
great deal more tact and circumspection
than the amount in the possession Of
Robinson. Then Robinson came to tho
conclusion that proposing by telephone
was the correct thing in these days OF inn
provements AMI novelties.
ut would be so dramatic" exclaimed
Robinson.
But Rapleigh also discouraged this
idea
Il once heard OF man." he said,
who proposed to girl over the tele.
phone. She was telephone girl. ue
said Hello to her before proposing to
her. After they were married he turned
the word around whenever he thought Of
her. So that l wouldn't advise you to
propose to Miss Elizabeth over the tele-
phone. Not that think that she would
lead you to that kind Of life, but I am
superstitious.
Robinson said something about the con.
demnation OF Rspleigh's superstition.
why don't you 60 to her and propose
to her like a man, said Rapleigh.
Robinson called attention to the fact
that he was very bashful and nervous.
"But it will be all over in moment" {"
@But suppose it turns out the wrong
way?"
"Oh, nonsense. It's the adventurous
'.awk that catches the-and besides, she
can't say anything worse than mo-"
~Rapleigh," exclaimed Robinson, "you
don't know Miss Elizabeth; in fact, you
don't know women at all il you think
mo- is the only thing-the worst thing
that they can say. l would rather, for
the time being, have an ordinary judge
say, And may heaven have mercy on
your soul than to have an ordinary girl
of the nineteenth century say that she
appreciates the compliment, butt
Il have a scheme" interrupted Rap
leigh; take a pen and write as die.
tate
But
do as say"
So Robinson got pan and sat down.
Rapleigh began: My dear
No." exclaimed Robinson, that win
not do. 1t is not affectionats enough.
1t sounds as if were about to ask her TO
pass the butter
How would simple dearest do?"
"Not at all. I'll begin with the letter
and leave of the address. Would you
make . paragraph mark"
mo, leave it OF. She will then know
that you mean the address, but can not
find words sufficiently loving to express
your meaning"
Then Rapleigh dictated:
Il want you to be my wife. Twill call
Friday night for my answer. II you will
not marry me say that you are out. II
you will marry me, then come down
into the parlor when call"
Rapleigh wanted it some other night
than Friday He said that Friday was
an unlucky day.
Its my lucky day, said Robinson,
and so they made it Friday.
Robinson sealed the letter and stamped
it.
Here" he said. you address it.
am too nervous.
So RapIeigh addressed 1t and put it
into his pocket to mail.
Friday afternoon Rapleigh told Robin
son that he had forgotten all about the
letter. They put stamp upon it, and
the postman said it would get uptown
bt. .crs diuner-time
After dinner Robinson dressed himself
very carefully in his state-occxsion
clothes and went uptown for his answer.
l.Ibinson determined on the way uptown
Tat IL she said no it would ruin him and
,us him into young and drunkard's
rave
Robinson rang the bell and the servant
cr took his card. He sat in the draw
iHg-room to wait for an answer. His
heart and iis ribs began fistic sncouu-
r. His fingers cutched each other
neryously. Finally the maid reappeared
:,le lad his card in her hand. She was
sniling.
She has refused me, exclaimed Rob-
insnn 10 himself, and he felt something
sap in his mead.
Mss Elizabeth will be down in a mo :
"lH'," sail the maid. "She has just
:. ,,.e IN an,l is Mt dinner"
II WAS Al great, IA trying moment.
llI,l.HsOu turned deathly pale, then sank