The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-12
JONES' PROPOSAL.

she actually hummed little as she hung
her hat up and began to dust the top of
her typewriter. Mr. Jones, the junior
partner OK the firm, couldn't go any out
ward grounds for this exuberance and felt
correspondingly hurt that she did not see
DIT to Voluntarily explain her causes for
Joy. j. ~ - MIN an especially dull, hot
morning, and nes sweet GOODNESS was irri-
Eating to his heated person and senses.
Jones wasn't generally q 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 tri1e and went on, look
ing as cool as a wayside daisy in her fresh
blue waist and her soft hair staying exas-
peratingly fluffy, while his collar wilted
mercilessly, and his head thumped stub
bornly.
Unrewarded effort has made many
man heartless, so Jones in sheer despera-
ton announced that he feared there
wouldn't be time for her to go out for her
lunch. And this most misunderstanding
women actually lifted her eyes to his and
acqulesced with all the grace possible.
That settled Jones Any human, be it
even a woman, who would smilingly con-
sent to be lockel up in that hot office all
this summer day, wasn't human to tell the
truth, and it would take heroic measures
TO make any impression on such 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 as cool, calm, determined, as
any man in the whole town. 1t was evil
dent that he had hit upon plan and that
he had screwed his courage several notches
above the sticking point The sight of the
last OF q cream puff which his cruelty had
limited her TO for lunch made him waver
q little, but when she went back to her
mountain Of papers and began anew that
exasperating little song he set his teeth
and began:
do you know, I've been thinking Of
you all morning:" This was said with
a most tender information, and he 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 l hurry can get all the briefs
copied at least.
Il didn't mean the work, +" he answer
ed, biting his mustache to hide his cha
grin. Il said that was thinking of you"
Miss Smith opened her eyes in finely
assumed surprise and then said little
nervously, "Whyf"
Because like you"
A hot flush rose to her forehead, and she
made move to go. Then she changed her
mind and began her work again, though
be rejoiced to see that she tangled her
copy terribly. He was sorry that things
bad grown so awkward SO early in the
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 pretty?'
The anger in her eyes began to be dan
Eerous. AT the same time there seemed to 3
grow all at once subtle, fierce determine
ton to meet him on his own ground, and
he quailed little before her straighttor-
ward gaze as she answered: /
well, have a mirror at home" Then /
hint of a smile crept 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
IN now until the little scene was played
put, and there was heightened flush on
bis face as he asked:
do you ever think Of mes"
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
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 it 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 10 his Office girl, and he shud-
dered at his mothers rage at such an IN
suitable alliance, but the enhancing curve
of her upper lip and above all the girls
goaded him on.
Miss Smith, - he began hesitatingly,
watching her face at every word, Miss
Smith, you have made me miserable all
I'm so sorry,'' cooed Miss Smith en-
as the hand now wandering
over the keys began to tremble.
And ii you'd-you'd just say some
thing TO make a fellow feel little-er-
encouraged, you know, why, I'd
Miss Smith seemed to fully understand
all this disjointed statement with charm.
ing sympathy, but she didn't say any {
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
hat love ,ou.''
She drew away just to escape his clasp,
md the pink in either cheek spoke vehe- {
nent encouragement for his happiness, the :
frantic Jones thought. Still he was
rifle staggered at her reply:
"Yes, IL thought So
Was she fooling him, this innocent
yed, pink checked atom of femininity be-
ore hims But, no, for she was looking
90 glad, and he drove rapidly on to de-
Miss Smith, will You make me the g,
Iappiest man in this world. Will you be
ny wife,
Then the smile suddenly grew frigid,
nth an iciness that CONCEALED his very
lood As she rose to her feet Jones'
frightened vision pictured her as tall as
ueen, this erstwhile tiny maiden who
ad seemed TO trenlbie under his very {
lance. Slowly she laid aside her beruf- -