Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-01-18
FIN DE SlECLE LOVE.
The Perfume OF "A Rose Made "A Man Pro-
pose.

When young Mr.. Lawson asked
young Miss Pettibone TO marry him
they were both little astonished. He
had no such intention or even incina-
ton when he went TO make his party call
There had been no sentimental passages
in their lengthy but perfectly common
place friendship which demanded a pro-
pOsal as fitting climax. says an ex-
change. But Estelle looked remark
ably well sitting before the fire place
with pathetic droop of her lips and a
little WEAKNESS in her eyes. There was
red rose in the lace that fell from her
neck and its warm perfume filled the
whole room.
Its odor and the sight of this new.
fascinatingly serious Estelle. the sub
dued lights in the room-everything
about the place seemed to mount like
wine to Dicks brain and before he
knew what he .was saying he had told
Estelle a tale of lifelong devotion and
of desire to marry her. Then, struck
with sudden amazement at the sound
OF his own words, he waited for an
answer.
Estcle, though she was not entirely
unused TO proposals, was uprepared for
this one. Surprise caused her to color
wildly and to look at him with Curl
Gus. tremulous gaze. II occurred 10
him that these were the signs of love.
and his blood froze in his veins. She
was going TO accept him.
But she did not. She said, hesitating-
ly, that it was a surprise to her; she had
not dreamed-and she thanked him for
the honor, but-but-would he give
her a week TO let her consider her own
heart and desires. OF course Dick had
no choice but to grant that reasonable
request. He went out grayely with a
sort of weight upon him. The cold
night air. with no breath of roses in il,
struck him with a chill. What on earth
had he done? He went over to see his
mentor, John Graham. 1t would not
be the first scrape John had got him
out of.
John listened gravely and silently.
When Dick had finished the story of his
wooing he remarked. amiabiy:
Dick, you're a fool
Then he proceeded to pun away at
his pipe again. Dick did not answer
BY and lay John removed his pipe and
made his next statement.
You might 20 back and tell her that
the odOr OF jacquemnOt always affects
you like too much champagne, and say
that YOU don't love her and don't want
to marry her. think she d free you.
Or you might fast and pray until the
end of the week. Perhaps Providence
would be moved to induce her to refuse
you. But ldoubt it. Dick. You're such
a captivating fellow. you know"
Here he was interrupted by few re-
marks concerning his mental capacity.
Dick was beginning to look wretched.
When he saw that, John rose suddenly.
See here, Richard, my boy" he said,
don't look like that. I'll get you out of
1t. Go home and 90 to bed. To-mor-
row afternoon YOU shall have your re-
fusal. Go off, now"
The next afternoon Dick received a
note from Estelle. 1t was a very kind
little self-reproachful. that she
had given him any hope, but with an
air OF joyousness in it. too. 1T is only
right that | should tell YOU" the letter
ran. that | have been for some time
engaged 10 your friend. John Graham.
We had "A violent quarrel only that aft
ernoon, and | never hoped to see him
again. You see, in my loneliness and
| was scarcely to blame
or Selling at any chance of peace and |
Affection, such as you offered me. But
know now how wrong and silly that
view was. Forgive me for the pain /
nave caused you"
"Do You know John, remarked Es-
ellie to her fiance that evening. II
ion't believe Dick Lawson was i'm love
with me at alp Look at the great mass
VI jacks he sent me, and there was the
learest, most cordial note with them
sn't it funnyp"
Very" said John laconically.