The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-04
FOUR PROPOSALS.
Aninsa sant IL he. aaa I 5000 .

Aninse sent for me, and I responded at
once.
what's the matterf''
She darted look Of pathetic entreaty,
yet something comioal lurksd behind the
look that forced a laugh from me before
could properly assume the grave oounte-
nance she invariably expected on these oo-
oasions
Sc You may just as we'll begin by laugh
ing" she said, really pathetioally this
time, because once tell you you'm sim
ply be unbearable.'
i'Does it concern met" I demanded in
some trepidation.
IT wish it did, she answered, and we
fell into a silence which lasted for at least
three seconds.
It's a most awful thing anyhow" she
exclaimed at last, land the worst OF it is
yOu'M only laugh.
promised a becoming gravity.
"Well, she said suddenly, with a rush,
81 have had four proposals this week. %
That seems a good record. I don't see
anything to complain Of. suppose you
want my advice as to which to acceptg'
s'No, it isn't that. IL accepted them
anr'
s'whati All four?'"
In a sort of way. led each one to
J
There's safety in numbers, at any
rate
81 knew you make funr'
ST am not making fun in the least.
dom think it's funny-only'
ttDon't you understand what a dear Jack
Forde is?' she interrupted. We were
brought up together, you know" A tell
tale flush spread over her face. (She cares
for him really, I decidedly "Well, when
ones with Jack one does like him dread
funy-he is so young and high spirited
and devoted, I think"
Next, please
'sThen there's Walter Fielding"
"Don't know him"
"NOp' She gave a little sigh. My sur
mise about Jack must have been wrong.
s'Weu, he paints the most lovely pictures
in the world, and I am so happy when
am in his studio. I think I should love to
marry a painter. They are not oonven-
tlonal, you know, and he thinks have
got pretty feet-its only the shoe, really,
but do care for him. Hess
proceed, Miss Aninee, - I urged. 81,
too, have remarked the feet"
'sAh, that's nice Of you. Wen--siF Ju-
lian Clifordl''
Hes 5Or'
'sI know, but he loves me sol he loves
ne more than all the others put together.
And he seems to consider it such an honor
you how wonderful that is to a woman.
He has such beautiful gray eyes, too, and
be never takes one for granted. think I
love him rather desperately"
go on
A dreamy lock crept into her eyes. She
hesitated, then gave a little, short, quick
laugh.
s'This is the one. after all. - thought I.
TITS Reginald Mason"
tsThat pFigi"
''Ob. how you're down upon him be-
cause he's much oleversr than most Of
you'll There something in him bhat fas-
climates me oddly. He's difersnt to any
one else in the world, and SO witty Then
at the most unexpected moments one
catches d note of pathoa in his tone, some
thing Of q latent sadness which makes one
feel one would do anything in the world
just to make him happier
Il congratulate you, Miss Aninee, p 7
said rising. only which is it to be?-
because haven ia the least guessed-as
you say they are all so charming"
That's the difficulty. I ike them all in
50 totally different a way You see, there
are three kinds Of men with regard to
matrimony-the Enan one knows at once
one would marry and love forever, the
man one thinks one might love and tbs
man one simply couldn't anyhow. Now,
unfortunately, my four danoes all come
under the second heading"
Has no one ever come under the hrstf'
Sha looked at me for several moments,
considering. Then she laughed. why,
yes; only they never liked me-"
That's a great difficulty, Of course,
though I should have thought - Here
some afternoon oallors sailed into the
room, and for some moments we were sep
arated. She came back to me- however, on
the appearance Of her sister and murmured:
do do suggest sOmethinal'
Give me a week, - said.
$50 longf''
"a week - I repeated, and we said good
By. I met Sir Julian Clifford on the stairs.
He was certainly very good looking.
The week duly elapsed, and I heard
again from ARinee. Things much
worse, " she wrote. Four letters every
morning Of entEeaties for q definite an
swer. Four bouquets every evening. I
can't bear it any longer. Tell me, for
PHYS sake, what TO do. They are all aw-
fully kind. "
"Dear Miss Aninee, F." I answered, 81
am extremely busy, but meet me tomor-
row at the corner Of N street at -
O'Clock. I have thought of a good plan,
only you must have courage, otherwise I
cannot help you
She was there ten minutes late.
How absurd Of you to make me come
herel' she said. "And how pale you look,
and so smartl"
Miss Aninee, . said my voice was
slightly tremblinR-Hyo you see that housef''
Yes, p said She shut what
THAT'S a justice of the peaoe's Office. %
''Oh, dearl Is any of them aboutf
Cause really can't It's awfully good of
yOu-but I really ean't-nOs even Walter
Fielding. And do care
None Of them is about, I said.
s'Wellg
ssYou devilt,, I neuaed a noment She
looked up. a little frightened. ''Will you
marry meP''
"DisonP'
ttWill you marry me now9''