The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-20
A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE.

While she waited for him. says the
New York Times, she took in with a
tender sympathy and amusement the
meager comforts of his small parlor.
The table Uttered with newspapers and
magazines, the dust in the corners,
the chimneypiece cluttered with stray
pipes, tobacco jars, a shoebrush, Poor's
Manual nickeled alarm clock, a beer
mug. 1t all seemed to her so pathet-
ically, so helplessly masculine. She
made a pretty picture of what she
could do with these same rooms with
Derby furniture, dimity curtains, a
pink dado, and an art rug.
How at home he would be herel"
she thought. How he would adorn
and brighten it,"
She heard his step. He came in,
smiling, shy, conscious, but with a
certain manly reserve which she
thought charming. Her fine, strong
face was aglow with tender resolution
as she held out her hand.
i've come to ask for cup of tea"
said she, brightly. "Will you give me
| some?'
Il believe you'd rather have a cock
TAIL" said he, admiringly.
"I'll take anything you'll give me-"
she returned, laughing, so long as
you will let me stay and talk to you"
He busted himself with the ingre-
dents of this innocent refreshment,
and as she watched him she thought
how gratefully and easily he per-
formed all the little elegant offices of
home. With such a companion, could
| she dread the future? The sense of
| possession was strong in her.
Here's to another one!" he cried
gayly.
with you" returned She meeting
his gaze.
He was evidently not quite at ease;
| he made a pretense of rearranging the
| shades; his agitation pleased her.
You always look so well in shirt
waist" she said approvingly. How do
| you manage it?'
| well. usually" he began, demure-
| ly; then they both laughed. 1t was so
easy. so natural, for her to feel at
home with him.
"Do you know" said she, resting her
| foot on one knee and clasping her an
kle with her hand in way she had
when she was serious. I've been think
| ing good deal of your life and mine,
| and that's why I've come to you to-
| day. You are so strong and fine, and
yet so helpless. / know l haven't got
much to offer you" she went on ar
IDENTIFY, gravely; you might do ever
young stenographer like me. But, oh,
l love you so, Jack! I've got a little
| I'll have more by and by. Won't you
let me love you and care for you and
work for your"
She bent forward. She put her hand
| on his knee.
The young man looked at her for
moment; there were a light in his soft
| eyes that told his secret but too well.
| She held out her arms He sank CRATE
| fully into them.
do you love me?' she persisted.
IT adore you" he whispered. But,
oh, DEAR he said, timidly, you'll be
gentle with me always, won't you?
You'll remember l am a man, and not
| a woman like you, out in the world?
| We men have out little weaknesses,
too" he added, with coquettish glance
at the cocktail glass.
Your weaknesses!" she cried mock
| ingly. What are miner"
Indeed, l don't know" answered
he, truthfully.
"Oh, you darling" she exclaimed
rapturously You'll be just the sweet
| est husband in the world"
| Next day she braced the firm for a
raise in salary on the ground that a
| married woman was always. entitled
| to more pay than a bachelor girl.