The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-11-15
PROPOSAL
 BY PIANO

: fCcpyriEkt is02 by McClure.s Newspaper Syndicate
 Clarice Y0ntiue sat in the coolest cor ner Of the hotel plazza idly strummIu5 upon her guitar. The light from the parlor window fell at her feet, a broad band of yellow streaking tbe soft gloom of the vine hung corner Som, one was picking out popular songs with one finger, but presently the lac bored playing ceased, and Clorice gave a sigh of relief
 Her aunt. Mrs Harvau, sighed also in deep satisfaction not however, oyer the departure Of the pianist because she had been deaf to music and an other sounds these ten comfortable years. Her contentmeut was due Col the fact that she had steered Clarice through an entire summer 0t Ocean View without opCe having permitted a tete-a-tete with Carleton Jason. though be had not missed a single Sunday since their arrival
 There was no particular reason why Mrs. Haryan should discriminate against Carl save that he had found favor in CnrIce's eyes and Mrs liar van wanted her pretty niece to herself She loved her. but with a love that was completely selfish. though never lacking m generosity. Clorice was showercd with an the good things ot life save that which she now wanted most of all-lovc.
 Carl Jason had made this final trip Co the shore expressly to lay his heart and his comfortable little fortune of the feet of CIarice-that .s. provided Mrs. Haryan would kindly get out of bis way long enough prowlug round the porch this very moment he real- ized that be should have sailed for Eu rope week since and that ou the iol- lowing Saturday he must start wheth- er his love story moved ou another chapter OF not. Worst of alL this was Claricc's Inst night at the hotel On thc morrow she and Mrs Harm would return Go their home m an u- hud city. whith-r Carl could not fol- low them and suu make his sailing dutc ou Saturday Carl was thinking wrathuuy oc this twentieth century bondage when his eye caught the gIeam 0f Cmrice's guitar. lie started r1 bis feet. then. with well assumed uoucha- lance. stroIled Into the parl.r
 When CiarIce heard tle twd of the piano stool. she made tiny moue pre- pared Co be bored again by some in- competent musician She preferred si- lence and her thoughts Of Carl
 But she drew a breath of happy re- ucf when she recoguizcd the touch. No one but Carl played just like that and now he was putting his very soul into Tost's ~Goodby She did not lean forward lest sine should rhus ate tract her auuts attention. but on the last refrain her guitar was keeping perfect harmony to the passionate rise and fall of che piano music.
 A moments pause and then Clar.ce smiled merrlly foI there doated out from the p8rlor the strains of a popu- lar song. "Am't It a Shamet he guitar promptly answered "Ize Wait cd. Honey Waited Long For NoI' Back from the piano rang "I Thought [ Heard Somebody Calling Me" And she smiled again as a moment ntor the music changed Co "IaSe Your Clothes and Go." for she realized that this musical hint was not for her.
 Carl waited a moment for her c.m- ment which came tmkiiug in Che re- fraiu of You're AM Right hut You Cant Ring ln." to be answered by "l Don't Want to Play lu Your Iord' and Wont You Come Out and PIuEt from the piano.
 Clarice glanced at her aunt "lu the Sweet By and By' she played, and oa- ger response came iu "Oh, Promise Me" and that his meaning nigh, be perfectly clear Carl ran u few lam.l- l8r bars from che "Luheu-r'u' wedding march. A vivid blush mounted to the girls forehead. and she glanced uerv- ously at her aunt Surely such a keen eyed chapcron must mark her emlar- rassmcut For moment the guitar lay untouched. Carce was uouder.ns the question. and not until the first few strains of Answer dolted out upon Che night did she again pick up her instrument But her decision had now been reached. and right bravaly she played "Iu Be Your Honeysuchle; You Be the Bee"
 A mighty crash emauatld from he plano. followed by the lively chorus Of I'm the IUcSiest Coon In Town. seconds pause then. with mr.ai swing. Hold the Fort. For Am Com mg,"
 When Carl stepped out ou the piazza. Mrs. Harvau regarded him with am uu- favorable eve When he bent over Cl8rice's hand. she frowucd But this mild disapproval changed to vehem,ut gestures when be caught up the mouth piece of the flexible ear trumpet the ei. der woman carried.
 "I have asked Cl4rice to marry uc blrs. Harvsu,' he explained. "aud h, iays yes. must go abroad on SaW lay next and I'd like Go take her w..h me. We can hc married as you pIss through New York tomorrow. sail a- planned on Saturday and buy ta trousScau tn Paris ] know you Gge.i want Go bc separated from CIgr.cp aud ! don't blame you. so won't you come with us:"
 "Wheu did you ask her:" deucntef