Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-07
JONES' PROPOSAL.


her hat up and began to dust the top Of
her typewriter. Mr.. Jones, the junior
partner of the firm, couldn't see any out
ward grounds for this eXuberance and felt
correspondingly hurt that she did not see
fit to voluntarily explain her causes for
JOY. 1t was to him an especially dull, hot
morning, and her sweet GOODNESS was irri-
Eating to his heated person and senses
Jones wasn't generally a villain, but
the sight of companions unnecessary
happiness when oneself Is undeniably
miserable has been the cause Of many a
little tragedy since the world began. He
tried first to discomfort her by half
groan, half sigh, but he was ashamed of
himself and FASTENED to explain that he
had q headache. She pursed up her lips in
pretty sympathy, proposed sending the
boy for some drug stuff and then proceed
ed to hum over her typewriter again. He
endured it half an hour longer, then swore
softly at the boy and began to pile her
desk high with mountain Of work. She
merely smiled trifle and went on, look
ing as cool as wayside daisy in her fresh
blue waist and her soft hair staying exas-
peratngly fluffy, while his collar wilted
mercilessly, and his head thumped stub
bornly.
Unrewarded effort has made many
man heartless, so Jones in sheer Nespera-
ton announced that he feared there
wouldn't be time for her to go out for her
lunch And this most MISUNDERSTANDING of
women actually lifted her eyes to his and
acquiesced with all the grace possible.
That settled Jones. Any human, be 1t
even a woman, who would smilingly con-
sent to be locked up in that hot office all
this summer day, wasn't human to tell the
truth, and 1t would take heroic measures
to make any impression on such a per
verse nature. So he savagely damned his
hat over his ears, rushed out to fortify
himself with an ample lunch and appeared
an hour later rs cool, calm, determined, as
any man in the whole town. 1t was evil
dent that he had hit upon a plan and that
he had screwed his courage several notches
above the sticking point The sight of the
last of cream puff which his cruelty had
limited her to for lunch made him waver
little, but when she went back to her
mountain Of papers and began anew that
exasperating little song he SGT his teeth
and began:
do you know, I've been thinking Of
you all morningP" This was said with
most tender information, and no leaned
his head on his hand at just the right an
gle to bring out the fine curves Of his fore
head and chin. She glanced up a mo-
ment, then went ON with her work with
renewed swiftness and replied innocently:
"Oh, you needn't worry, think. I'm
sure that If hurry can get oil the briefs
copied at least"
Il didn't mean the work." he answer
ed, biting his mustache to hide his cha
grin. II said that was thinking of you. I"
Miss Smith opened her eyes in finely
assumed surprise and then said little
nervously, why"
because 1 like you"
A hot flush rose to her forehead, and she
made a move to go. Then she changed her
mind and began her work again, though
he rejoiced to see that she tangled her
copy terribly. He was sorry that things
had grown so awkward so early in tho
scene but he was angry with her that she
had complicated matters so and went on
did it ever strike you that you are aw-
fully prettyS"
The anger in her eyes began to be dan
gerous. At the Same time there seemed to
grow all at once subtle, fierce determine
ton to meet him on his own ground, and
he quailed little before her straightfor-
ward gaze as she answered.:
"Well, have mirror at home" Then
hint Of smile orept up to her lips, and
she let her hands fall into her lap as though
waiting for the next.
Jones prayed that no one would come
,1c,- rod
out, and there was heightened flush on
his face as he asked:
"Do you ever think Of meP"
Miss Smiths eyes dropped in pretty con-
fusion as she answered softly:
"Often, very often"
Jones at this lost his head completely.
He had begun in fun, and his traitor Of a
heart played him false as early as this.
What had been farce to him five minutes
ago now grew to be dead earnest, and the
worst thing about 1t was that he feared
that she realized it. He had always been
susceptible, but never before had he seen
anything that he wanted SO much as this
slip Of girl before him. He knew fully
how the fellows would laugh at his sue
cumbing to his office girl, and he shud-
dered at his mother rage at such an I'M
suitable alliance, but the enhancing curve
Of her upper lip and above all the girl S
carefulness goaded him on.
miss Smith" he began hesitatlngly,
watching her face at every word, miss
Smith, you have made me miserable all
morning"
"I'm so sorry" cooed Miss Smith en-
couragingly as the hand now wandering
aimlessly over the keys began to tremble.
And If you'd-you'd just say some
thing to make fellow feel little-er-
encouraged, you know, why, I'd"--
Miss Smith seemed to fully understand
all this disjointed statement with o charm
ing sympathy, but she didn't say any
thing-with her lips, though poor Jones
imagined that he could read volumes In
her bright, timid eyes.
He hesitated and was lost. So out went
both his hands, and he whispered bravely:
my dear Miss Smith, you must know
that love you"
She drew away just to escape his clasp,
and the pink in either cheek spoke vehe-
ment encouragement for his happiness, the
frantic Jones thought. Still he was a
tri6e staggered at her reply:
Eyes, IL thought So"
Was she fooling him, this innocent
eyed, pink checked atom of femininity be-
fore himP But, no, for she was looking
too glad, and he drove rapidly on to de-
struction.
Miss Smith, will you make me the
hanniest man in thia xuorldp Will won no