Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-08-16

BY PROXY

lOu hhoN ithSiih6s
"Yes; n lovely girl"
II want her. She is n very advan-
tageous match. Help me to get her."
How can l help your"
Uncle, you are devoted to her moth
er-don't deny it-and the widow Is
devoted to you. Your influence will
turn the scale in my favor"
Pooh, boy! Do you suppose man
of forty-flve, an old bach, is a proper
person to interfere in love affairs?
Besides, are you sure Miss Pickering
wishes to marry your
mo. l wish your intercession with
her too"
Every well; I will see what I can
do"
The next evening Major Joseph
Stone, feeling in honor bound to keep
his pledge to his nephew. called at
Mrs. chickering's.
II have come to plead n cause" he
said nervously. "Your daughter is a
lovely woman, and l have come with
reference to a proposal-from one
whose heart
The major broke down.
Indeed" The lady looked curious
and pleased. II have noticed the gen.
tlemans attentions to my daughter. I
am not surprised"
"He may be little Off as to age
THAT would be no objection, l as
sure you"
Then his income is very limited;
but, you see, r.
II see very clearly, major. The in
come is Of no consequence. My daugh-
ter is very we'll Off. What she wishes
Is man she can respect and love and
be proud Of. The hero off,
Pardon me. Heroism has nothing
"Not another word, major. Modesty
is the most charming Of qualities. You
| will find Ellen in the music room. Go
and plead your cause with her, and
may you have every success. l shall
be proud
The major disappeared in the music
room, and Mt the same moment Miss
Pickering opened the door Of the par
| lor, where she had left her mother.
ooh, Ellen, 1 thought you were In
there. Your hero has come to propose
for you. Fortunate girl! He is return
ing. will leave you here" And as
the major re-entered the mother dis
appeared.
Mamma was mistaken. major.
Here l am"
81 am glad to see you looking SO
charming. for woman cannot we'll
look charming without feeling charm
ing. This will make easier a delicate
mission l have to execute"
IL am listening"
81 came to plead cause, the cause
Of one who loves YOU"
ooh, major" dropping her eyes.
yet one who admits that he needs
some friend to help him."
"IIe needs no one but my mother.
If she is pleased, there Is no one else
to be considered"
"Your mother sent me to you, wish
Ing me success. She has noticed the
drift Of this affair, and she will be de-
lighted with the match. You see, you
have every good quality, while the
man. though trifie young for YOU
"Ha. ha! What a pleasant lronyl
L he 10 JuSl lhc dSc WYNN
choose You know l am young thing
of twenty-eight."
HE has many estimable qualities,
can assure you. He is-well, he Is q
bit of n trifler"-
ooh, major, how you amuse me! A
trifler! You are stumbling along as
you stumbled up San Juan hill"
.dThnf 1nl rod
with this" taking out his handkerchief
and wiping the pcrspiratiOn.
II always said, major, even when a
little girl that would marry none
but hero"
That's too bad" disappointedly.
1.-THE heroism in this case-the heroism
Of physical courage - has never yet
been proved. but dare say upon op-
pOrtunity"-
you dear major! You say that as
innocently as II 1t were really true.
Doubtless you think 1t so. The great
est heroes nre the least aware of their
heroism. One thing will admit-be-
cause man Is military hero 1t
doesn't follow that he has courage in
telling woman he loves her."
II confess there Is some cOwardice
In this case. a man should not EN-
plOy any one but himself to plead his
cause with n woman"
But mamma doesn't count. you
know. You can't be accused Of cow
ardice for speaking to her first Ma
jor you are as utterly untitled for a
proposition of this kind as you proved
yourself fitted to lead men I'm battle"
well, then. to cut the matter short.
you acceptT
II do, most assuredly. and with my
whole heart"
"Then. having nothing more to do.
shall wish you a very good evening
and much happiness" moving away.
Nothing more to do, majorT draw
ing very near and looking up at him
ieproachfully.
Nothing whatever. It's all settled"
''Then | have something to do"
Throwing her arms about the major.
the drew his face down till his lips
were within an inch of her own.
Il know you love me, dear major.
though you have been too laundering
20 tell me so. and love you dearly"
"By thunder!' exclaimed the major
~.