Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-11-05
A Twenty-Horsepower Proposal.

leaves admitted but scattering patches
Of moonlight, a young woman was
perched on the veranda rail. Before
her, half reclining in steamer chair,
was somber-faced young man.
The long windows Of the dining
room were wide open, and the couple
in their shaded corner could hear the
labored music of the volunteer orches-
ira, the shutting of feet and the deep
voice of Judge Davis calling off the
figures in the Virginia reel.
"If l had suspected your intention
l should have stayed in and danced, "
she said petulantlY.
The young man made no response
"You said you wanted to smoke, "
she went on.
I'm smoking" he answered, and to
verify the statement he blew a cloud
of smoke from the cigarette. Don t
be angry, Lou, he entreated. up
to now I've been behaving beautiful
ly."
ooh, indeed /" she remarked. Per
haps you've forgotten you've pro-
posed three times before this week
"Well, he said, Il didn't propose
Tuesday nor yesterday"
"You didn't have the chance" she
chuckled. 81 haven't doubt you in
tend now to make up for lost time. y
He leaned forward in the chair;
his face was very grave. He was
good-looking young man, clean-shaven
and very resolute of manner. Just
now, as he faced her, his square jaw
was shut in determined fashion, and
the lines about his mouth showed he
was very much in earnest.
This is the fourth of the month,
be said slowly. Il shall offer myselfto
you every remaining day"
She slipped from the rail and stood
before him.
Philip" she said, "if I give you
chance to propose between now and
the first of the month I'll accept you. "
"Great Scott T. he cried. You
don't mean you won't even see me,
Lou ?"
Your deductions are very intelli-
gent, she laughed.
He was standing before her now.
He drew himself up and his shoul-
ders went back.
Very well, he said. Il shall buy
the ring tomorrow.
Il don't believe there any need Of
haste she said, and then, with hur.
ried goodnight" she slipped into
the house and left him there alone in
the moonlight, at once strangely down.
cast and strangely hopeful.
He was still standing there when
Judge Davis stepped through one of
the open windows on to the veranda.
Hello, Morton" called the Judge,
"wheres Lou?"
"She just left" Morton replied.
Try one, said the Judge, holding
out cigar; you look down in the
mouth"
Judge" said Morton, suddenly,
with your consent, I'm going to marry
Louise"
"The devil you are.' said the Judge;
then he soberly took Morton by the
hand. Phil, hope you are. Has Lou
consented at last"
Not exactly" said Morton, "but l
think she will before the month is out"
"Confound the girl She's led you
pretty chase, eh, Phil?"
Morton laughed. 81 don't believe
she considers the chase as nearly fn-
ished as l do, he confessed.
The next day the game was begun
in earnest. Morton was not dissap-
pointed when three calls at the Davis
villa brought only the information that
Miss Davis Was "out." He walked Tor
hours in the grove behind the house,
but she did not venture there, nor did
she come to the postofice for the eve
ming mail. Then for a week tine
he tried vainly to reach by her strats-
gy; but numerous bribes to the Davis
servants, and sundry endeavors on
Morton's part to conceal himself W.
der the veranda, in the summerhouse,
any place where be might hope to see
her, were all fruitless of the desired re-
ault. Two weeks went past, and, al
though the ring nestled in his coat