Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-12-26
TWO PROPOSALS

who were sent to Cuba. But Bundy and
Orvie looked into the future and saw
themselves coming back home with the
band playing one of Sou,a's marches and
the residents of Cross Fork, shouting them
selves hoarse over the return OF two con-
quoring heroes.
With these reflections adding fire to
their patriotism, the young men started
for the scene of action. As the train pulled
out of Cross Forks Bundy waved an affec-
Tomato adieu to 4 weeping maiden who had
clung TO him until the last moment, while
Ovillc threw a passionate kiss toward an
other grei-,tricken young woman.
Nov for war; said Bupdy, as he and
Orvlle finally boarded transport at
Tampa.
YES. and shoulder straps, too assent
ed ONills. When they reached Cuba they
were consigned to trenches far from the
scene of action. and there the pair crouchod
until an unseen foe in the shape of Cuban
fever attacked them and they were taken
to hospital. For days and days they raved
about war and the Spaniards and love and
Cross Forks. \ trim little woman with
face of rare beauty attended to their wants.
When they were finally able to show an in
tercst in their surroundings she confided
that she was the youngest nurse IN the hos
pital.
The two Cross Forks volunteers occupied
cots in separate parts of the ward. Each
began showing a lively interest in Miss
Lowell. Once when she approached Bundy
he seized her and poured forth his heart
The nurse smiled, and Bundy was certain
that she nodded her head and squeezed his
hand \ moment later she admonished
him TO remain quiet for fear OF a relapse,
and then She glided away. Bundy then
dropped into a profound slumber. He did
not dream of Cross Forks.
Several days passed, during which Bundy
saw little of the beautiful young nurse.
Much to his dismay he noticed that she
spent most of her time near Orville
During this time Orville was beginning to
think that the dainty young nurse was by
far the best-lookng girl he had ever seen.
1t occurred to him that she would make
nice prize to take back to Cross Forks, and
ne began putting forth efforts to win her
by resorting to the many amatory niceties
which had helped to win him fame in his ma
tive town.
Seems to me its goin' to rain outside
he muttered one morning when Miss Lowell
appeared at his bedside.
"Probably it WILL" she answered, with
some hesitancy.
up in my country this here rain would
mean good crops" pursued Orville. "an'
good crops is prosperity Now, if you am
me. say. owned good farm an was livin'
| together like two dove, peckin' in a road
/ way, | think everything would be sunshine,
| 'ceptin' when the rain come along to help
us"
you are talking too much" interrupted
the nurse, and then she left him.
SAY" pleaded Orville. as she depart-
ed II only wanted to know if YOU would
be nv wife" Mss Lowell turned and
smiled then mt her finger TO her Inns and
as Orille nodded assent TO her final Silent
warning again,, talking. she left the ward.
4 few DAYS after this incident Bundy and
Orville were permitted to leave their be d,
and walk about in the hospital.
"\ate." said Bundv. during their first
walk. II want To- tell You of my great luck
Pm engaged to Mi, Lowell"
'Nou're a liar,' exclaimed Orvlle an
grily you're a willful liar. an I'll fight
You right now for that past remark. I'm
engaged to the young woman myself Lot,
of rain, good crops, and life OF sunshine
Charlie Bundy. that nurse is just head over
( heels IN love with me. W nen BundN heard
this his pale checks Leoame surprisingly
red
Mister OviNe." lie responded haught
ilv. "tni, Young lady ha, confdod her very
soul TO INV care. She lust a., good as told me
the other day that she wa, all mine. With
me thinkin' of this. | would just a, soon XII
YOU as not if did not realize that YOU wa,
stiU derriou,." But for the timely appear
ance of Mis-. Lowell murder might have fol
lowed Bundy's declaration. Orvlle wa,
approachmg his rival with clnched fists
and the latter was brandishing a pitcher
which he had seized as a weapon of de
Tense. when the nurse ran between the pair
She was small woman, hut the men wer,
weak. and with no apparent effort the iai
pcaccmakcr seized the hellieerents by TIN
collar, and kept them apart
you two evidently want TO 20 back t,
bed and then to a Cuban graveyard" ,h
said. sternlv.
40. we DON'T" answered Bundv "bu
,iolt now | want 70 move to this ANNA