The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-11-13
IN SWEEPING
1 ..COSTUME

urday morning, broom in hand, dress
pinned back, sleeves rolled above the
elbows, towel over her head to keep
the dust from her hair, she heard a
ring at the doorbell. Before she could
escape she heard the maid open the
door and the familiar voice Of Mr.. Al
exander Hathaway, a newly appointed
officer In the United States army, ask
ing for her father. Fearing that the
maid might be stupid enough to show
him into the parlor, and not caring to
be caught in sweeping costume, she
stepped between a portiere and folding
doors, intending to open the doors and
leave by the dining room. The doors
were of the slide, and she could not
open them. Meanwhile Mr.. Hathaway
entered the parlor and took a seat
wonder what he wants with papaT
queried Miss Abbott. eying him
through an opening in the portiere.
Mr.. Abbott, a dignihed gentleman,
came in, eyed the conner curiously, babe
him good morning and waited for him
to tell what he had come for
my regiment is ordered to Manila. ;"
began the young man haltlngly.
"Indeedv' said Mr.. Abbott What in
terest could this have for him.
"of course that takes me, you
know"
Mr.. Abbott did not know and did
not care. He repeated the word TN
deedv' which is valuable from not
meaning anything.
1.-THE men are on the train now. 1t
is to start at II noon. / secured leave
to come here and speak with you a
moment" The lieutenant looked at
his watch. TT is half past IL. / have
fifteen minutes here and fifteen min
utes to make the train. What 1 came
for is to ask you il you have any OBJ
lection TO my asking Edith to be my
wife. l would like her to Join me at
San Francisco, be married there and
go out to Manila"
Edith's heart jumped into her throat
Alex Hathaway, rich, handsome. in
every way attractivel She had never
dreamed that he would ask for such a
commonplace person as she regarded
herself.
Mr.. Abbott took out hlS own watch.
you haven't a surplus OF time" he
said. 80 will come to the point at
once. I win gladly welcome you for a
son-in-lO,g IL my daughter is herself
willing. Have you asked herT
''No. l thought that II you should
object It would be better not to speak
| to her now"
an call her. Edith, Edith Where
are your You're wanted at once'
Now, IL there is anything a woman
is punctilious about II ia the accept
ance OF a proposal or the ceremony Of
marriage. To Edith Abbott the idea
Of being woOed and won I'm sweeping
costume was abhorrent. Besides, she
dreaded lest the aristocratic young Of
fcer, seeing her in such a dress, should
repent his choice. She stood stock
still.
Nancy" shouted Mr.. Abbott, "ind
Miss Edith Immediately. She must be
somewhere in the house."
Eyes. SIR"
Mr.. Abbott sat down and waited.
Mr.. Hathaway paced the floor impa-
tiently. Edith looked at them both
from behind the portiere and wished
that some kind fairy would suddenly
transform her costume to a more be-
coming one. Presently the maid came
in and reported that Miss Edith was
not up stairs and must have gone out.
Edith herself, looking at her lover,
made up her mind that he was not too
gentlemanlike occasionally to say bad
words. Both men looked at their
watches.
"Well," said the sultor, disappointed,
81 fear for the present the matter must
be given up. After reach Manila |
will. with your permission, write to
her. Perhaps 1t is better, after all, for
me to investigate the climate and ac-
commodations. Meanwhile think you
will agree with me that for you to tell
her OF this visit would place her IA an
she gets it from me by letter"
Miss Abbott was by no means dis
posed to give the young man so good
an opportunity TO change his mind. !
Nevertheless It was not till the two |
men were shaking hands prior to sepa- |
rating that she threw aside the por-
there's ana stood, red as a peony. be-
fore them. Hathaway caught her In
his arms.
Sweetheart, you have heard all?"
Edith was mute.
Two minutesP' said Mr.. Abbott,
watch In hand.
"Will your pleaded the lieutenant.
'Never, in this horrid toggery."
"There is no greater test Of beauty
than the costume you wear. You are
Drettier 10 it than ever saw you"
do you really mean itf"
Certainly. l swear itv'
II don't believe you"
"Yaur anawar7"