Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-09-09
AN ODD PROPOSAL

L
can't remember what it was" says her
visitor, settling himself on the divan.
"Now. don't add it must have been
Important she says somewhat cross
ly. keeping her pen suspended over her
inteiTi HtcA letter.
ut wasn't So very" he answers Sc.
renely. Il remember now ! was Just
wondering whether you would want
me to put on my dress suit for dinner
every night II we were married"
The pen descends on the half filled
sheet.
IF you're going to be funny, wish
you'd choose some other time for it,"
she says. writing busily. u want this
letter to catch the overland"
"Are you writing to that everlasting
best girl of yours?" he asked.
"I'm writing to Miss Austin. if that
Is whom you mean," she answers cool
ly.
well. tell her there's a tiresome
man just come in to propose to you. SO
you must tear yourself away long
enough to accept him." he says, put
| ting another cushion behind his head.
Il never say what isn't true in my
letters
Don't you? Oh. mine are a perfect
tissue Of falsehood, though l am not
much of liar in everyday life. don't
exactly mean to, but I'm always find
ing myself writing, All the city is
asleep. The house is mysteriously
silent, and my fire turned into Gin
derella as the clock struck IL, but I
just send you line before l. and so
morning, and I'm sitting between a
typewriter and telephone. suppose
it's my picturesque Imagination that
makes me do it,
"Or perhaps the idea of possible
biography" she suggests. not without
scorn.
How would you like to write it," he
asks, unrufiled. I'VE could work it up
together. and you could add the last
sad touches after had flickercd out
The other day was looking over the
various letters and notes you've ia
vored me with, and l decided that you
would be JUST the person for it. You
have rather nice little way of ex-
pressing yourself"
"Do you mean to say you keep your
letters:" she asks in tone of surprised
remonstrance.
mo, but keep yours" he answers,
smiling contentedly at her and feeling
for cigarette. MAY II" he adds.
striking match and shielding the
flame in his hand.
"No, ia rather you didn't" she says,
intent on her letter. ut is my day at
home, and moro people may come even
yet"
He blows out the match with a Sigh
and drops it down behind the divan.
Aren't you going to let your hus-
band smoke on your day at home?" he
asks.
'IIe won't be around on my day at
home," she says, laughing a little iu
spite of herself Hell be down town
trying to pay for the tea and cakes"
Poor devil" inurmurs her visitor,
rolling the cigarette affectionately be-
tween his fingers. wouldn't you want
to have him around?" he asks pres
emily.
Depends on toe man." she says half
absently from her desk. How do you
spell psychological?'
II don't" he says resolutely. II
would not for anything. You never
mind my dropping in ut teatime, do
your
HIM"
"You rather like it, don't your
I'm, h'm.'
"You'd find it rather pleasant to have
me dropping in every Gay about this
time and staying to dinner wouldn't
you:'
What are you tall ing about?" she
eXclaims, lifting her head mpatiently.
why. if you should marry me-"
"Well. I'm not gon. to marry you,
and Fin not going to get this letter fin
ished ii you don't go away"
There is a silence, broken only by the
frantic scratching Of her pen.
"Some one wishes to speak to you at
tAlc ICIclHohC, say u NoiNC llOlu
the doorway.
las usual" she murmurs, rising hur-
riedly and shutting the door behind her
with bang. The draft blows sheet
Of her letter Off the desk and wickedly
drops it on the edge of the divan. Her
writing is abominably clear. He catches
sight of his own name and for second
is lost. "He has just come In, in his
dear little jolly way. pretending never
to mean anything and really meaning
everything. I'm going fast. If men
only knew enough to use personal vio-
lence. they'd often He suddenly
realizes that this is base treachery and,
resolutely shutting his eyes, replaces
the sheet on the desk as he hears her
step in the hall. She comes in. all un-
suspecting.
Her letter did not catch the overland
that day. In fact, it wasn't even fin
lshed md ho never Sa id nnything about