Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-05-08

and she can't make IL com. right.
My dear Mi,, Sheppard. You'll
have to make the situation clearer
What can't she make come right:'
The pr1p0,al-iu her story
"Oh" said Miles. I,struch him as
snew idea.
$50 ! promised thatIwou'd get
a man 20 propose TO me. and let her
listen behind-behind the curtain.
you know"
But this is prepo.terous.' he ex-
claimed. No man could propose to
a girl when he knew some one was
listening behind curtain.
Lance made a little despairing
gesture. But it must be done. If
you knew how hopelesaly she had
worked over her story! Three times
she has written the proposal scene.
and when | came-when saw her
this afternoon she had given up. She
had buried her face in her arms. |
did not know how to help her, so |
told her that some one was coming to
see me and that he might-and that
she should sit behind the portiere and
listen. And she said she wouldn't
ana all that-but | showed her that
If she wanted 10 succeed in her writ
ing she must do some things that one
doesn't do ordinarily. Oh. talked
an hour
And your part: When ! pro-
pose to youdoyou accept me. reject
me-
Tt really doesn't natter she
said. "does it,
"No-no.' he said. reluctantly.
But if you reject me you won't need
to explain 10 her afterwards that 1t
wa, make believe
Poor fellow" unused Lance to
herself. IS it that be can't bear the
idea Of being accepted in JEST
WELL said Miles a, he hailed a
cab for her. "I'll try it Miss Shep-
pard. but you could have chosen a
better man for thi. sort Of thing
among your dancing friends. l'lIcall
this evening, then. at nine O'Clock;
but feel very nervous
I'm sure" said she. that every
thing viii come out beautifully
And she nodded from the cab window
with a happy face.
Miss Austin was not at dinner. His
neighbor remarked that Miss Austin
was dining out Her name was con
stantly in Miles thought 1t repeat
ed itself unsteady to him. although II
could hardly have been considered
musical name. And the more insist
emily it repeated itself, the less it
seemed possible for him to propose
to Lance Sheppard with a girl listen
ing behind the curtain.
And yet-what if he dared make
this mock proposal into real one.
What if he dared snatch this golden
prize from all others.
\ butler in knee brooches showed
him into the drawing-room Anita
Austin was there reading a book
She was often there, but Miles hur-
ried in now with an eager exclama-
ton. He was glad in his heart to see
her and then he felt that he was in
deed saved from a most abs urd situa-
tiOn.
Il didn't know YOU were here!'
"You came to see Lance; She will
be down in a minute She ha, just
gone upstairs There was a Sigh
stiffness in the girls manner. tire
acted on him and yet he had never
seen her look prettier than tonight
Il came to tell her--well, made
her a promise and
"Ah! don't let me interrupt you
I'm going in a minute. as soon as
Lance comes down She looked |
away from him.
"No-yes-don't go, urged Mile,
Il have come to tell her | couldn't
fulfill the promise made her" / !
had rather you stayed; | will take you !
back, if you will let me after | see
Miss Sheppard. Don't co. and
stronger than ever grew the convic- |
ton that he could not associate the |
idea Of proposal Of marriage from |
himself with any one but Anita Aus
Tin. 1t was an Internationally long |
time before either Of them spoke |
agair. Miles felt vaguely how much |
more the beautiful surrounding, fit |
ted Anita than the boarding house |
had ever done. lie dismissed the
idea Of finding companionable men
to live with him in a fiat, and every