The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-04
HIS PROPOSAL.

her hat up and began to dust the top of
her typewriter. Mr.. Jones, the junior part
Ger of the firm, couldn't see any outward
grounds for this exuberance and felt CORE
spondingly hurt that she did not see fit to
voluntarily explain her causes for joy 1t
was to him an especially dull morning,
and her sweet GOODNESS was irritating.
Jones wasn't generally villain, but the
sight of companions unnecessary happi-
ness when oneself is undeniably miserable
has been the cause of many a little TRACE
dy since the world began. He tried first to
discomfort her by half groan, half sigh,
but he was ashamed of himself and hasten
ed to explain that he had headache She
pursed up her lips in pretty sympathy,
proposed sending the boy for some drug
stuff and then proceeded 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 a
mountain of work. She merely smiled a
trifle and went on, looking as cool as a
wayside daisy in her fresh blue waist and
her soft hair staying exasperatingly fluffy.
Unrewarded effort has made many a
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
of women actually lifted her eyes to his
and acquiesced with all the grace possible.
That settled Jones. Any human, be it
even q woman, who would smilingly con-
sent to be locked up in that office all day
wasn't human, to tell the truth, and it
would take heroic measures to make any
impression on such perverse nature. So
he savagely jammed his hat over his ears
rushed out to fortify himself with an am
pie lunch and appeared an hour later as
cool, calm and determined as any man in
the whole town. 1t was evident that he had
hit upon n plan and that he had screwed
his courage several notches above the stick
ing point. The sight of the last of q cream
puff which his cruelty had limited her to
for lunch made him waver a 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 angle to
bring out the fine curves of his forehead
and chin. She glanced up moment, then
went on with her work with renewed
ewiftness and replied innocently:
ooh, you needn't worry, think I'm
sure that if I hurry can get all the briefs
copied at least
Il didn't mean the work, - he answered,
biting his mustache to hide his chagrin.
81 said that was thinking of you
Miss Smith opened her eyes in finely as
Su1neQ surprise anu G0on SAl0 u 1GCl0 merry
ously, 'Why?''
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
he rejoiced to see that shetangled her copy
terribly. He was sorry that things had
grown SO awkward so earlyin the scene,
but he was angry with her that she had
complicated matters so, and went on:
6sDid if eVar GtriEa Won that voI1 ara axy-
fully pretty?'' sv
The anger in her eyes began to be dan
gerous. At the same time there seemed to
grow all at once subtle, fierce deter1nina-
tion to meet him on his own ground, and
he quailed a little before her straightfor
ward gaze as she answered:
"Well, I have a mirror at home" Then
a hint of q 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 out,
and there was a heightened flush on his
face as he asked:
''Do you ever think of mes''
Miss Smiths eyes dropped in pretty
confusion 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 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 u girl before him. He knew fully
how the fellows would laugh at his sue
cum bling to 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 girl s
carefulness goaded him on.
'tMiss Smith, he began hesitatingly,
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 something
to make a fellow feel a little-er-encour-
aged, you know, why, Id''-
Miss Smith seemed to fully understand
all this disjointed statement with a charm
ing sympathy, but she didn't say anything
with her lips, though poor Jones mag
ined 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 check spoke We
hement encouragement for his happiness,
/ the frantic Jones thought. Still he was q
trifle staggered at her reply:
g Yes, IL thought So"
Was she fooling him, this innocent eyed,
pink checked atom of femininity before
him? But, no, for she was looking toe
glad, and he drove on to destruction.
a. Miss Smith, will you mako me the hap
] piest man in this world? Will you be my
wife?''
Then the smile suddenly grew frigid
with an iciness that CONCEALED his very
blood. AS she rose to her feet Jones' fright
ened vision pictured her as tall as queen
this erstwhile tiny maiden who had seem