The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-07-18
"MAN PROPOSES. :"
BY K1LBOURNE COWLES.

''aIAAN nv VIVIAN
49, BY K1LBoURNE CowLEs.
When my little sister shyly told me, a
few weeks ago, that she was engaged to
Mr.. Olcott, + laughed. She wasn't Of
Tended, but her long blue eyes opened
wide in surprise. :
81 wish you every happiness, DEAR l
said, "but it's such a joke, Lou. What
will Aunt Kate say?" s'.'. ...:>..
81 am glad that you like it. I feared
well, you know. Anne, everyone
thought at first that George and YOU"
:. flush, dear. George has done just
right; though when I think of Aunt
Hates wrath I could shriek," and I did
laugh loud and long, and Louise joined
me, as we sat with our arms around each
other in schoolgirl fashion, though am
PC and Louise is 20 herself.
''Do you think, Anne, that there will
be row."
"Well, yes, at first, dear; but you will
get your trousseau all right" answered
consolingly. "Of course, Aunt Kate will
be awfully provoked-think of the gowns
and gloves she has showered on me, all
for the sake of George Olcott and I be-
lieve she will just spank you. The idea
of your becoming engaged to the sober
minded, well-to-do George before your
first season, when there is no telling
what you might have accomplished you
with your beauty and youth"
The next morning George came over
from the hotel to play Tennis; and we
held a council on the shady side of the
court. George was anxious to tell Aunt
Kate at once. I advised delay, and that
arrant coward, Louise, actually suggest
ed that / break the news. -. -
"You know, Anne, she will be furious.
T don't want her to insult George"
"'What about me?" I asked "'~
"Oh, you-you're used to it," replied
my sister coo1ly, and the discussion final
~ ended by my consenting to try, when
opportunity should present, to pave the
way for Georges interview
"Girls," Aunt Kate called as we paused
to rest after George had worsted us at
two sets of tennis. II have a letter to
read you" We strolled over to the
porch and George began to make his
adieux.
Don't go, Mr.. Olcott, you are quite
one of us now" and then she read the
news that the son of one of fathers old
friends was coming to visit us.
"We will have to postpone our trip to
the seashorc, but we are quite comfort.
able here" (Aunt's country place is
beautiful and she is no end proud of it,
':Do stay here all SUMMER said Louise
with enthusiasm considered q trifle dan
gerous.
"Well, we will see," replied Aunt Kate
with an indulgent smile and caressing
pat of her long, slender nand on LOUIS
sunny head. Then I knew that Howard
Maxwell must be rich and eligible.
In a couple of days Howard Maxwell
came. He was an entire stranger to us.
Aunt Kate herself had not seen him since
he was child.
The second morning after his arrival I
was reading in the hammock on the side
porch, where George, leaving the group
on the lawn, joined me. I thought how
pleased Aunt Kate would be at this
seeming devotion.
"You don't look very cheerful" I re-
marked.
81 can't say feel hilarious. want to
tell Mrs. Kingsley and everyone that
Louise and l are engaged. I disapprove
of this dilly -dallying." George looks. al
most handsome when he is angry.
You mean you disapprove Of it since
"Well, yes; perhaps that is what: l
mean. How long is he going to stay
I detest boys of that age"
''Boy, indeed! Do you realize that he
is year older than amp
by George!" (he always swears BY
himself) 'is he. really? Well, girls
usually seem older for their age Chan
men,"
THANK you; what a graceful compli.
ment."
Il beg your pardon, Anne; I don't
think. you are old. A man as near &c
as l am ought to consider anyone baby
who is yet in the 20s. The fact
is, am ratified. I scarcely know what
I msaying. It makes me wild to see
that fellow hanging around Louise She
raves over his tennis. Says he plays the
strongest. game she ever saw, and is So
modest about it. That's hit at me be,
cause foolishly showed my measure in
beating you girls. She won't let me tell
Mrs. Kingsley that we are engaged, and
don't know what to do"
=. Poor old George, felt sorry for him
He looked so forlorn and helpless. :.
:: We were very gay in a quiet way dur.
ing Towards visit. We rode, played
tennis and picnicked to our hearts con
tent. Aunt Kate was ~graciousness and
hospitality personifed. > r.
MAY I sit by you, Anne7 4 There
doesn't appear to be room for me any.
where else" said George, in an injured
tone, one afternoon.
Under those painful circumstances
can't, refuse" I responded, making room
for him on the steamer; r rug Il; on Which j
was seated, Twas really: getting tired 81
George, he looked 80 dumpy: all the time
No wonder Louise continued her firta,
ton with Howard. George had. lost til.
arts.of conversation, scoldinp being Isl.