The Delta independent., 1900-08-24

oAAsAA WnCA 0RCaAAa5 VI out
whether IL vas the sudienness of tho
request or the personality Of him who
made 1t, for the minute her confusion
was obvious. though luckily for her
the friendly ncOn did not light up this
little arbor. Calming herself imme-
diately. and lc,king quickly up at her
companion. Vera queried: why do
you ask? You don't think I'm in love
with You. do you?"
No. in fact I'm sure you ere not"
Then that settles the question
without further trouble" said Vera.
carefully rcar:anging her shawl and
establishing herself in a more COM
Portable position, as If some krotty
problem had just been solved.
Not at all, for you haven't answer
ed me-"
You have answered yourself.
though; you would hardly marry q
woman who did not love you
That's one of the reasons l am ask
ing you." replied this cool diplomat.st.
slc%ly lighting a cisaret.
Then before answering" she said.
appearing to be interested in this
strange species of proposal. "let me
question you. Do you love me?"
No. l 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 beth mentally and physically in
sound health
You consider. then. that love is a
disease; In fact. | suppose" she added.
sardonically, "a kind OF dlsordsred
l.ver?"
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 | have
been friends for twelve years. and by
now know each other thoroughly. I
am thankful to say l have never loved
you. nor. to my knowledge. have you
loved me. and it is these facts which
convince me we should make a thor
oushly congenial and happy married
couple. On these grounds l 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 its
journey. and now cast a pale light into
the arbor-jast enough to show Arthur
that his fair companions eyes were
twinkling and that she was on the
verge Of smiling. Looking straizh, 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 tnodding
toward the empty chair at her side).
hold ~ hand and look me full in the
face. and then tell me that you are not
head over heels IN love with me. will
believe that for the last nve minutes
you have ben speaking-as they say In
courts-the truth, the whole truth. and
nothing but the truth"
Arthur felt daaed He sat down. and
took his pretty companions hand-he
observed It vas beautifully soft. lie
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
matc-and the moon Travelled further
on its journey. It sank-but not be-
fore 1t had Witnessed what. in the
course Of its considerable experience.
1t Lad often seen before. but OF which
1T never toid.-Mainly About Peo-