Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1901-12-16

for the first time, in the beauty and
the stiffness of the night. Presently
with startling abruptness. the silence
was broken upon.
Vera" said Arthur, turning toward
her, would you care to marry me?''
1t was not, by a long way, the arst
time she had received a similar re-
quest, for she had been vainly courted
! by the richest and highest in the coun-
try. So vainly, indeed that people
were even beginning to hint of the
shelf when speaking of her. But
whether II was the suddenness of the
request or the personality of him who
made IL, 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 your"
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 IL 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 a
woman who did not love you"
That's one of the reasons | am ask
ing you," replied this cool diplomatlst,
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
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 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 1t is these facts which
convince me We should make a thor
oughly congenial and happy married
couple. On these grounds | again ask
you-will you marry me?" he con-
Guided, stopping opposite Veras
chair.
During this curious monologue the
moon had Travelled somewhat on its
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
MIN, Vera composedly answered:
your philosophy, dear Arthur, is
anu Spbi vase 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. | 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. and |
took his pretty companions hand-he
observed 1t 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 be
And the silence of night wrapped the
arbor In its embrace. A bird moved in
the iyy-a nightingale called to its
mate-and the moon travelled farther
On Its journey II sank-but not be-
Tore 1t had witnessed what. in the
course of its considerable experience.
{ had often seen before, but OF which
1t never told.-Mainly About Peo-
pie.
Has Five Krighthoods.
Sir George White, who has been