River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-05-12

Il
home, so if you will call some evening
this week, / feel as ii | might breach the
matter more-more-" She floundered
for the right word; she was beginning
to be bit phased by the situation.
ooh, well, all right" he said, cheer
lily, for, truth to tell he was expecting
a very important client. who was due
that very minute. Say tomorrow even
ing; will that do?" 1t suited him very
well TO call on her as he thoroughly en-
joyed an hour with Ina Patterson, who
was both bright and clever. And thus
it was settled
Ina was relieved when next evening
arrived, to find that all the family were
going out, for though she stuck manfully
to her purpose, she had to acknowledge
a slight nervousness which could not be
fought off.
AS the electric bell whirred sharply
she gave an involuntary start, then
opened the door herself, and ushered in
Mr. Graham. She lowered around him
while he Invested himself of overcoat
and hat, afterward she took him to the
ter as to how the momentous question
was to be put. They were comfortab'?
settled, talking generalities, when MlsS
Patterson suddenly paused-they Weia
drifting farther and farther from hef
point. She pulled herself together ana
made plunge.
Mr. Graham, you have known me
long time; do you like me?'
Immensely; you and always get on
swimmingly Now tell me what it is
you want" He came forward and took
her hand.
you know it is leap year," with shy
hesitation; it was not SO easy, after al.
Yes" he dropped her hand and sat
down abruptly.
well" she began, in a now-or-ne'er
tone of voice, 81 have decided to ask ou
to marry me; will you?"
'Ina-Miss Patterson, you are surely
joking"
mo" with decided shake OF the
head.
'But-1-I-am sure we are not atall
suited to each other. | had no idea you
tnOuBnL Oh me III LndL way.
II didn't; it all came about suddenly
Unexpectedly. OF course, you know my
circumstances. | have enough to sup
port myself, but my income can go no
further You are aware of just how
much my father left me. | think if
woman proposes, she ought at least to be
able to support husband, don't you?"
He laughed, in spite of his discOmfi-
ture. I'm awfully sorry, but it is out of
the question. | am a grabbed old bach
elor, and so set in my ways l would spoil
your life. You deserve a better fate"
you refuse, them" Eagerly One
would have thought that she had been
reprieved from instant death.
81 must decline; though, believe me,
| am sensible of the great honor you
have done me in wanting to marry me"
ooh, but I didn't! / didn't" With
startling animation. Don't apologize,
please. am so relieved. They can't say
l shirked, anyway"
But do not understand" rather
stiff1y. This was distinct slap at his
vanity, and he felt trif1e miffed, to say
the least
II will endeavor to explain, which she
did, winding up with: "And | could
think OF no one else in the whole range
of my acquaintance whom / could en-
dure in the light of a husband" This
sort of relieved his complacency. IF
you had accepted me should have tried
to do my duty, but l am so glad you
didn't" she added, with a rush, as if
fearful lest he change his mind. Nov
let me sing you something, and we will
forget there is such thing as matri-
mony." With gay laugh as she seated
herself at the piano.
Strange to say, after that Horace Ora
ham could not get Ina Patterson out Of
his thoughts. Her face would rise in
Sistently between him and his work. He
kept looking back TO that memorable
evening; every time he saw her she
seemed to take on some new charm-Un-
til at last he came to realize he wanted
her badly. Her proposal had thrown
him out of his rut. And then her frank
avowal that she did not want him,
kindled a slow fire within which had
risen to a fierce blaze of desire. And she,
all unconscious of the storm she had
raised OF what use now his cry: What
a fool he had been to refuse her? In
the spring he was elected judge, but
how worthless all his honors seemed
without her to share them.
: About six months after Ina Patterson
received an offer of marriage from Judge
Graham, together with passionate dec
laration of love and the hope that time
might have inclined her affections to-
ward him.
1t was novel position. A tidal wave
of inclination swept over her: she re-
viewed the situation and rendered the
decision in his favor.