The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-01-22
A PROPOSAL OF. MARRIAGE.
~ 1t Might BE II the Girls Were 10.
hemtan and Brave Enough
for the Brace

| VIII ten0eF sympathy and amusement
the meager comforts of his small par
lor, relates the New York Times. The
table, Uttered with newspapers and mag
az1nes, the dust in the corners, the Chin
neypiece cluttered with stray pipes, to-
Dacco jars, a hoebrush, Poor's Manual,
a nlcke1ed alarm clock, a beer mug. 1t
all seemed to her SO pathetically, so
helplessly masculine. She made q pretty
picture of what she could do with these
same rooms with Derby furniture, dim
1ty curtains, pink dado, and an art
rug.
How at home he would be here!" she
thought: How he would adorn and
brighten it!''
She heard his step. He came in, smil-
ing, shy, conscious, but with certain
manly reserve which she thought charm
ing. Her fine, strong face was aglow
with tender resolution as she held out
her hand.
"1've come in for cupful 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, $50 long as you
will let me stay and talk to you"
He busted himself with the ingredients
OF this innocent refreshment, and as she
watched him she thought how graceful
ly and easily he performed all the little
elegant Offices of home. With such
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 pretense of rearranging the
shades: his agitation pleased her.
You always look so we'll in shirt
waist she said. approvingly. "How Go
you manage it?''
"Well, usually" he began demurely:
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 ankle
with her hand in way she had when she
was serious. eve been thinking 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
l know haven't got much to offer you,"
she went on ardently, gravely; "you
might do ever SO much better than to
marry poor young stenographer like
me. But, oh, love you so, Jack! I've
got little-Ill 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 a
moment; there was a light in his soft
eyes that told his secret but too we'll.
She held out her arms. He sank CRATE
fully into them.
DO you love me?" she persisted
II adore you," he whispered but,
oh, DEAR" he said, timidly, you'll be
gentle with me always, won't you?
You'll remember am man, and not
woman like you, out in the world? We
men have our little weaknesses, too"
he added, with a coquettish glance at
the cocktail glass;
'Your weaknesses!" she cried, mock
ingly. What are mine?"
Indeed, don't know" answered he,
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 mar
r1ed woman was always entitled to more
pay than bachelor girl.