Evening star., 1896-01-04

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by surprise that it was half over before I
realized that 1t actually was an offer of his
heart and hand. Besides. II took place In
the hotel garden, of all unlikely spots,
where we were in constant danger of in
terruption.
Second proposal Richard King is a
very nice fellow and was tremendously in
earnest. He says his life Is blighted, but
he will soon come to a different opinion at
Interlaken, where Margaret Dunn writes
me it Is very gay and where Richard has
gone. Last evening we strolled down by
the lake and he suggested that we should
go out in a boat. He engaged one with
two women to row, one sitting at the stern
and the other standing at the prov, work
ing great oars that looked like cricket bats.
The women did not understand English,
| and we floated on the lake until the moon
came up over the snow mountains. Richard
leaned over and tried to take my hand.
whispering in low voice Bessie" I con-
fess I was rather in a ffutter and could
think Of nothing better to say than SIR
in a tone of surprise and Indignation he
went on very 'hurredly.
'Bessie," he said, I'VE have known each
other only a-few days. but in those few
days have Hred In paradise
Yes 1 answered, gathering my wits
about me, "Humbolt says Thun is one of the
three
Richard interrupted me with something
that sounded remarkably like Hang Thun y
Then he went on and said that was all the
world to him; that he could not live without
me / shock my head slowly and did not re-
ply. He spoke with fiuency that seemed
to suggest practice, but 1 told him it could
never be- Then he folded his arms sitting
moodily back in the boat saying I had
blighted his life He did look handsome as
he sat there in the moonlight, with a deep
frown on his brow, but 1 could not help
thinking he sat lack purposely, so that the
moonlight might strike his face 1 wish 1
could write down the exact language he
used. for he was very eloquent, but some
how I cannot bring myself to do 1T. even in
this book. am sure. however. that when
come to write my novel and turn up these
notes I shall recall the words. Still, 1 in
tended to put down the exact phrases.
wish | could take notes at the time, but
when a man is proposing he seems to want
all your attention.
A fine. stalwart young man came to the
hotel today. bronzed by mountain climbing
He looks as If he would propose in a manner
not so much like all the rest. / have found
that his name is Archibald Severance and
they say he is a great mountaineer. What
splendid thing proposal on the high Alps
would be from such man. with the sleam-
ing srow al around. I think I shall use
that idea in the book.
Third, fourth, fifth and sixth proposals
I must confess that am amazed and dis
appointed with the men Is there no such
thing as originality among mankind? You
would think they had all taken lessons from
some proposing master: they all have the
same formula. The last four all began by
calling me Bessie with the air of taking
a great and important step in life. Mr. Well
man varied 1t a little by asking me to call
him Jimmy, but the principle is just the
same. I suppose this sameness is the result
modern GVStpm
sure Archie would act differently am not
certain that like him. but he interests me
more than any of the others. 1 was very
angry with him week ago. He knows it.
but he doesn't seem to care. As soon as
Charley Sanderson proposes will see what
! can be done with Archie Severance
like the name Archie. 1t seems to suit
the young men exactly. I have been won
dering what sort of scenery would accord
best with Mr.. Severance's proposal I sup
pose glacier would be about the correct
thing, for I imagine Archie is rather cold
and sneerfng, when he Is not in very good
humer- The lake would be too placid for his
proposal, and when one Is near the RAPIDS
one cannot hear what the man is saying I
think the kohieren gorge would be just the
spot, it is so wild and romantic, with a hun
dred waterfalls dashing down the precipiees
l must ask Archie If he has ever seen the
kohleren Falls. I suppose he will despise
them jecause they are not up among the
snow peaks
1H.-BESSIE'S PROPOSAL.
After reading the book, which he had no
business to read, Archie closed the volume,
fastened the clasp, and slipped it into his in
side pocket. There was meditative look in
his eyes as he gazed over the blue lake.
Il can't return 1T to her-ruw," Archie
said to himself. Perhaps should not have
read it. So she is not a flirt after all. but
merely uses poor mortals as models"
| Archie sighed II think that's better than
being a fiirt-but Pm not quite sure I SUM-
pose an author is justified in going to great
| lengths to insure the success of SO important
thing a book. 1t may be that can as
| sist her withTthis tremendous work of ic
| tion. I will vhihk about it, But what am 7
| to do about this little diary? 1 must think
about that as Well I can't give it to her
and say 1 dFd not read it, for am such a
poor hand a lying.
Good heaseas! I believe that is Bes-
| sic coming a1ofe along the river bank. I'll
pretty accurstefy where she lost it. III
| place it where Z found it and hide"
The line ofit.ees along the path made it
| easy for Archie to carry out successfully
| his hastily formed resolution. He felt like
| a sneak, feeling he thoroughly merited,
as he lodged behind the trees and so work
ed his way to the main road He saw Bes-
sic march straight FOR the bench, pick up
| the book and walk back toward the hotel,
without eversg1ancing around, and her de-
| finite action convinced Archie that she had
no suspiciorf That anyone had seen her
| book. This Tnade the young man feel cas-
| ier IN his mind. and he swung along the
| Interlaken road toward Thua, fattering
[ himself that no harm had been DONE New
| erthefess he had resolved to revenge Miss
Bessie's innocent victims. and as he walk
| ed he turned plan after plan over in his
mind Vengeance would be all the mo Q
| complete as the girl had no idea that hA
/ literary methods were known to anyone
! but herself.
| For the next week Archie was very at
| tentive to Bessie, and It must be recorded
| that the pretty young woman seemed to
| appreciate his devotion thoroughly and to
| like ii. One morning. beautifully arrayed
| in walking costume, Bessie stood on the
| anxious about the weather. but in reality
| looking out for an escort the gossips said
| to each other as they sat under the avn
inss busy at needle work ana slander, for,
( Of course,no such thought was in the young