The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-08

lent 10 MIN.
No. I won't. Propose to the hut girl you meet,
and welcome. 0 Maud.
He came. 4 gave him the heartiess
IL.
by heaven" he exclaimed in saw
age determination. "I'll take her at
her word! I will will"
He turned and hurried away. He had
gone as far as the door, when he
came back. There was now a curious
look--a look of puzzled embarrass-
ment on his handsome face.
II say" he began confisedly. bend
ing over the counter toward me, and
speaking in low, rapid tones, you
know what I told her I'd do II she
refused me? And-and I mean to do
it. But-well, you see-in fact-I
mean to say--that is--you were the
first girl saw after receiving her re.
ply; and IL am to be as--as good as
my word-I 'hem-1've got toto pro-
pose to you.'
He blushed furiously as he stam-
mered out these words. and averted
his gaze in the utmOs. embarass.
ment.
I could not help smiling. The hunor
of the situation tickled me immensely.
I saw how 1t was He did not want
to propose to me, but he felt in honor
bound to carry out his threat, more
especially as myself was acquainted
with its exact terms and had been Il
witness of his fixed resolve to execute
1t. However. / could easily extricate
him from that little dilemma.
VERY WE'LL" I said, Laughing. I'm
order to satisfy your sense Of honr.
you may propose to me. You need
not be afraid that I shall take ad-
vantage Of you. Ask me to marry
you. 1 will refuse. You have done
what you threatened, and there's an
end to it."
But he did not jump at this simple
method of evading the consequences
of his rash undertaking rs readily as
had expected.
1.-THE fact is" he said quickly, IL
thought that If was engaged to-an
another girl Maud might be sorry
when she found that she had lost me,
and-and-well, you see. 1t might
bring her around and all might come
right"
Rather rough on the other girl,
though replied. smiling, "to throw
her over and go back to Maud
"Ah. you don't quite understand
met" he murmured. II thought that
if | could find some-some kind, SYM
pathetic girl of the right sort who
who wouldn't mind pretending to be
engaged to me. II might"
But at this critical point my atten-
tion was claimed by other senders of
telegrams; and so his remarks were
brought to a premature conclusion.
He did just say, however:
I'D like to talk this over with you.
You have taken such kind interest
in the--the affair. When--When do
you leave off work."
Not until O'clock" I replied.
May wait for you then at the
corner of the street?"
His request was made so pathetical-
ly that had not the heart to refuse.
I nodded assent. 1t was perhaps i'll
advised Of me. but he looked SO un-
happy and 1 was so sorry for him.
When 1 reached the corner of the
street soon after p. M. there he was,
sure enough, awaiting me.
Let us go into the park" he said.
1--WE can talk there quietly"
1t was beautiful summer evening,
but only few people were about. We
had our seat to ourselves.
"You--you remember what I was
saying to you this afternoon"' he be-
gan with an awkward. nervous air.
"Oh yes" / replied. you said that
you wanted to find some girl of the
right sort who would pretend to be
engaged to you. in order to make
your sweetheart sorry that she had
lost you, and so to bring things out
all right"
"Yes-yes! That is it," he said
hurriedly II say dont--lon't he
vexed. but I've been thinking that, as
you have been so kind in taking an
interest in me. and as you're the-the
sort of girl l feel that l can trust,
perhaps you wouldn't mini-I mean
ybu might-might let me pretend that
l was-was engaged to you!"
But we are strangers" I protested,
land, alothough of course / feel fiat
tered by your expression Of conf
dence. still-well, I really do not see
that l can put myself in such d false
position"
Are you afraid of my not--not act
ing on the square with you"" he cried
in disappointing tones.
mot in the least. I have no doubt
OF your honor. But girl, such as
am, living alone, must needs walk
very circumspectly."
He sat silent for a minute or two
after that. looking straight in front
of him.. Then suddenly he blurted
out:
II say, don't-don't be angry with a
fellow, but If there was to he no--no
about it-if it was to be "a
real engagement"
What do you mean?" I demanded.
"I-I-oh. hang 1t! ! can't keep up
this-this shamming any longer.
must tell you the truth. Those-those
kilograms to Maud were all bum
combe.'
"All what?" calculated.
"All buncombe, repeated. 1.-The
fact is-oh hang it, 1 hardly know
how to explain! But-well. couldn't
help it, you know. IL fell In love
with you the first time I saw you.
three weeks ago; and don't be angry
with q fellow, but I'm such shy,
bungling fool when 1t comes
to love-making that hadn't the cOur-
age toto go about 1t in the straight.
forward way. Besides, was afraid
that. even II I could screw up cheek
to address you, you'd think me an i'm
pertinent puppy and shut me up. So
l hit upon "a dodge for getting you
to take an interest in me and be sorry
for me. and serve as an-an introduce
tlon, My brother helped me. and
and-I say, are you awfully angry
with q fellow?"
I WAS So Daralyzed with astonish-