Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-05-17


The end of the season came and
found him still open to engagements
and he confded to one of the young
ladies that he was thinking seriously
of settling down lest he might make
the mistake Of walking clear through
tn. wood and then at last picking up
a crooked stick.
you accept whatever offers to-
night, Captain" said she, mischiev-
ously. 1t was the night Of the last
dance of the season.
Captain Nicely, who was not dane
ing man, promenaded the veranda
with a combination of blonde hair and
pink muslin on his arm, and they
Joined group of dancers who had
come outside for air, she who had ad-
vised him TO make up his vacillating
mind on this very occasion in Peggy $
favor. The Captain replied that,
with the full consent of those whom
he had already refused, he had done
so, and that the consolation in this
instance was to be fancy saddle
horse.
"Well, Peggy, such hOrsewOman
as you certainly cannot afford to ig
nore such a chance. You would bet
ter speak now or forever hold your
peace, >" laughed this irrepressible
meddler.
How can propose now" asked
Peggy. "Whoeyer heard of ball
room proposal, where there wasn't
conservatory ?"
Couldn't we 'uuconsciously drift
apart from the others '' asked the
candidate for matrimonial nomina-
ton.
THAT might DO, answered Peggy
and she drew the tall Captains arm
through her own, and together they
strolIed among the lanterD-lit trees.
The irresponsible meddler looked
after them, and thinking that Peggy
never appeared loyelier than she did
tonight, in her pure white gown,with
feld-daisies in her hair she wondered
if the Captain would remember the
joking advice. The lights grew fewer
and farther between.
"Well, Peggy,why don't you begin
surely you have heard this thing done
times enough to know how ?'
She had dropped his arm and the
Joke as soon as they were out Of sight
of the group on the veranda, but he
insisted on keeping up the converse
tion as it had started out
Miss Randall was generally regard
ed as young woman without a vul-
nerable point; stony-hearted, in fact.
In reality she was a girl of unusually
high ideals, and probably because she
had so much to give, she expected
much in return. Not perfection, but
her ideal Of manhood was noble one,
ard Captain Neely at times seemed to
her to more nearly fulfill it than any
man she had yet known.
It always seemed to her that she
never appeared to such poor advant-
age as when with him, for then all the
ability as a conversationalist with
which she was credited seemed to de-
sert her and she felt that to him she
must appear a most uninteresting
person.
Now she dared not let him see that
she was afraid to 60 on with the farce
so, in the gayest manner, she began
again, just as they became upon a seat
among the trees, into which the Cap
tain deliberately threw himself leay.
ing her standing my adorable James
isn't that the way they usually be-
gin ?"
VERY good" was the answer, "but
I positively refuse to listen to any
proposal unless the suitOr gets down
on her knees"
"You base man, you evidently mean
to luxuriate in the situation, but | |
can't go down on my knees here. I'll
soil my dress.
Captain Neely gravely spread his
pocket handkerchief on the ground in
front Of him, and imperatively mo-
toned her to kneel, and that she did,
and in the most approved voice Of
suppressed emotion began:
My adorable James, while deep /
ly conscious of my great unwOrthi-
ness"
Don't mention it. A."
Il must utter the words that have
so long tremblsd upon my lips-I-
/"
"Well, utter them"
MAY dare believe that the feel
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