Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-10-22

decided that she didn't want to say
yes but didn't quite know why she
objected. So she was fencing for her
life, and wondered why Jack didn't
happen to look in, or q chimney catch
fire, or indeed anything happen to save
her from her own obstinate folly.
Without giving him chance to say
word, she chartered on. And all the
time she was chattering she was think
ing and trying to reconcile herself to
the inevitable But the more she look
ell at him, the less alluring became
the prospect of a carriage and furs.
She noticed that his forehead was both
narrow and low, and though she had
not much brain herself, as she reflect
ed, she liked it in other people. Be
sides that, his watch chain troubled
her. Why did he wear such a very
heavy one?
But | can't stand here listening to
you," she said at last, when she found
her breath was giving out. you are
such a chatterbox, Monty. I'll go and
pop on my hat, and we'll go OUT
But l haven't asked you my ques-
tionT he gasped, and in sheer des-
peration he placed his back to the
door.
"Oh, dear, how slow you are" she
said. "If it's about the dance--"
1T isn't about the dance" he STAN
mered. Its about you. II want
you to marry me-"
Nothing could have been more awk-
ward than his proposal but it reduced
her to a state Of despair
The piano tuning was going on sol
EMMY. Tap-tap-tap, went the notes,
followed by a grand flourish of chords
Then tap-tap-tap, again.
"Why?" she asked, argumentatiye-
ly.
"Why-what?" he gasped, blinking
his little eyes in a bewildered way.
Il really must call at the Butchers"
she said, jumping at the chance for
delay given by his indecision.
''But-will you?'
You mean, marry you?' she asked
demurely. You don't give me time to
think"
I'm awfully fond of you, and-and
all that sort Of thing" he said. eager
ly. "We should be tremendously tol-
~, and-all that sort Of thing. The
governor says | can draw up to $1,000
a year out of the business for start.
and-and things would be ripping"
She looked at him desperately. What
was she to do? She began to feel for
some queer reason that to accept him
was almost impossible, but she had
given her foolish little word
Then a bright idea struck her Per-
haps he would let her off.
Suppose 1 don't love YOU" she
said.
THAT doesn't matter bit" he said
cheerfully. IF you will promise to
marry me, l expect l shall make you
love me in time. l am-oh. lord, what
beastly row that piano-tuner is max
ing"
Perhaps it would be better to talk
it over another morning" she sug-
gested.
mo, no, tell me now" he said. The
piano tuning had suddenly ceased, and
he was dashing at the subject brave
ly. I'm awfully fond of you, Mar
garet. The fact is you-you have fair
ly bowled me over ] can't say exactly
what l mean, because | am not much
of a hand at talking, and all that sort
of thing, but"
fHhnpn
door, and Monty muttered something
under his breath which no British prin-
ter would set up in type.
1t was little Mr.. Winterfiood who
entered.
Good morning, miss" he said. 81
hope haven't disturbed you"
Not at ALL" she said, beaming with
pleasure.
"Oh, l found something of yours in
the piano" said the little man.
Something of mine?"
Eyes, it's a letter. No wonder the
bass notes were nearly dumb. Good
morning, miss"
She took the envelope, and tore it
open. 1t was addressed to her in
Jacks handwriting.
Dear Maggie"-it ran-'I expect
you'll be wild with me for not turning
up to take you to the concert. But |
have been summoned into the country
by telegram. Uncle Tom is seriously
i'll, probably dying, and has asked to
see me. l leave Euston tonight, and
have just dashed in here hoping to