Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-04-12
projecting nail, and in an instant
she was firmly caught.

projecting na1I, ana IN an 1nstaht
she was firmly caught.
Poor Miss Selma was indeed in
predicament. One hand grasped the
big bottle, the other the edge of the
shelf. and she could not touch her
heels to the floor without fairly tear.
ing her hair out by the roots.
STEADY, steady" cried the captain,
as he recovered from his little misad-
venture with the seed and realized his
hostess pl ght. ''Just hold on min.
ute till I get there" and lie sprane
toward the closet with celebrity which
surprised himself.
Cant you unloosen my hair?" fal.
tered Miss Selma, thankful that the
close. was dark enough to hide hei
burning face. II think you can get
it away from the nail without much
trouble"
But the captains clumsy fingers
made sad work with the tangled
tressea, until, finally, losing patience,
he boldly lifted Miss Selma in his
arms and slipped her away from the
dangerous projection. 1t was no fain'
rose flush which swept over Miss
Selma ut that master stroke of policy,
but the captain failed to see any neec
for an apology. In his own heart he
thought he should apologize to Himself
for putting her down so soon.
When Miss Selma felt herself once
more upon her feet she started for the
door with hasty word that she woulc
be back in minute, but, to he,
amazement, the captain stepped in
front of her with a masterful air, which
somehow had soothing effect upon
the little lady who for many long years
had had no taste of masculine protec
tion.
Don't 60 yet, Selma" he said, anc
Miss selina's heart fairly stood still a.
his words. 1t was long time since
anyone had called ber by her name
without the prefix, 50 strong was the
custom.
Il want to say something that
have been thinking of long time,
and never seemed to have good
chance to say it. 1t isn't right for
you to be all alone here. Suppose
you had been caught when nobody
was around, you'd have likely been
hanging in the morning. know I'm
growing old, the captain sighed, and
Miss Selma involuntarily shook her
head. Speech was beyond her, and
he plucked up his courage again. "But
[ think am good for some time, and
I come of an old stock. l have some
money put away, and, and, we'll, Selma,
it may sound foolish for gray-haired
man to say, but 1 love you, aud l
want you to be my wife"
Miss Selma, however, failed to see
anything either amusing OF foolish in
this middle-aged romance. She looked
up into the face before her, and read
in the kindly blue eyes confirmation
of what the stony lips had told.
There was a seconds silence, while
like lightning the thought flashed
through her mind that never, even in
that censorious little town, had ord
been spoken against the captain, and
the thought of long succession OF
lonely evenings like the one just
passed, with no hope of the coming
of guest whose advent had been
most eagerly anticipated, made her hold
out her hand.
Captain" she said, slowly; "cap-
tain, l like you very much"
But not enough to marry me?"
asked the captain, in a tone OF such
deep disappointment that Miss Selma
threw all scruples to the wind.
''Oh, yes, quite enough for that"
she answered, softly.