Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-06-21
it was the suddenness Of the

whether it was the suddenness Of the
request or the personality of him who
made it, for the minute her confusion
was obvious, though luckily for her
the friendly moon did not light up this
little arbor. Calming herself imme-
diately, and looking quickly up at her
companion, Vera queried: why do
you ask? You don't think I'm in love
with you, do you?"
mo, in fact I'm sure you are not"
"Then that settles the question
without further trouble" said Vera,
carefully rearranging her shawl and
establishing herself in a more COM
Portable position, as if some knotty
problem had just been solved.
"Not at all, for you haven't answer
ed me-"
you have answered yourself,
though; you would hardly marry
woman who did not love you"
That's one of the reasons am ask
ing you," replied this cool diplomatist,
slowly lighting a. cigaret.
Then before answering" she said,
appearing to be interested in this
strange species of proposal, "let me
question you. Do you love me?"
"No, don't"
"Then why on earth do you talk
such rubbish? How can you wish to
! marry me?"
Simply, because neither of us is in
love with the other, which shows that
we are both mentally and physically in
sound health"
"You consider, then, that love is a
disease; in fact, suppose" she added,
sardonically, "a kind of disordered
| liver?"
Exactly. But let me put the case
before you properly" said Arthur, ris-
ing and walking up and down in front
of her as he spoke you and l have
been friends for twelve years, and by
now know each other thoroughly.
am thankful to say have never loved
you, nor, to my knowledge, have you
loved me, and it is these facts which
convince me we should make thor
oughly congenial and happy married
couple. On these grounds again ask
you-will you marry me?" he con-
cluded, stopping opposite Vera's
chair
During this curious monologue the
moon had Travelled somewhat on it's
journey, and now cast pale light into
the arbor-just enough to show Arthur
that his fair companions eyes were
twinkling and that she was on the
verge of smiling. Looking straight at
him, Vera composedly answered:
Your philosophy, dear Arthur, is
excellent, and your case apparently
fully proved, but -er--if you would
not mind sitting down here" (nodding
toward the empty chair at her side),
hold my hand and look me full in the
face, and then tell me that you are not
head over heels in love with me, l will
believe that for the last five minutes
you have ben speaking-as they say in
courts-the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth"
Arthur felt dazed. He sat down, ana
took his pretty companions hand-he
observed it was beautifully soft. He
looked into her eyes-he noticed they
had in them light he had never seen
before, and that on her face was a
smile and an expression that could
have but one interpretation-and he
faltered.
| And the silence of night wrapped the
arbor in its embrace. A bird moved in
the ivy-a nightingale called to its
mate-and the moon Travelled farther
on its journey. 1t sank-but not be-
fore it had witnessed what, in the
course of it's considerable experience,
| it had often seen before, but of which
If nevar told -NTo;p1,, Aho,,+ De-