The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-05-28
HIS TWENTY HORSE
POWER PROPOSAL

corner, where the thickness of tn,
leaves admitted but scattering patche.
of moonlight, a young woman was
perched on the veranda rail. Before
her, half reclining in steamer chair
was a somber faced young man.
The long windows of the dining room
were vide open, and the couple IL
their shaded corner could hear the la
bored music Of the volunteer orchestra
the shutting of feet and the deep voice
of Judge Davis calling off the figures
in the Virginia reel.
IF | had suspected your intention
l should have stayed in and danced, y
she said petulaRtly.
The young man made no response.
you said You wanted to smoke" she
went on.
I'm smoking" he asserted, 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."
"Oh, indeed?' she remarked. "Per-
haps you've forgotten you've proposed
three times before this week"
He leaned forward in the chair. His
face was very grave. He was a good
looking young man, clean shaver 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 4th of the MONTH" he
said slowly. 81 shall offer myself to
you every remaining day"
Philip" she said, "if 1 give you
chance to propose between now and
the LIST of the month I'll accept you"
Great Scott" 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 shoulders
went back.
Every WELL" he said. II shall buy
the ring tomorrow"
81 don't believe there's any need of
haste" she said. And then with hur-
ried good night" she slipped into the
house and left him there alone in the
moonlight, at once strangely downcast
and strangely hopeful.
He was still standing there when
Judge Davis stepped through one of
the open windows on to the veranda.
Judge" said Morton suddenly, with
your consent Pm going to marry Lou,
ise."
"The devil you are!' said the judge.
Then he soberly took Morton by the
hand. "Phil, hope you are. Has Lou
consented at lastT
Morton laughed. st don't believe she
considers the chase as nearly finished
as do" he confessed.
The next day the game began In ear
nest. Morton was not disappointed
when three calls at the Davis villa
brought only the information that Miss
Davis was "out." He walked for hours
In the grove behind the house, but she
did not venture there, nor did she
come to the postoffice for the evening
mail. Then for weeks time he tried
vainly to reach her by strategy, but
numerous brides to the Davis servants
and sundry endeavors on Mortons part
to conceal himself under the veranda.
In the summer house-any place where
he might hope to see her-were all
fruitless Of the desired result. Two
weeks went past, and, although the
ring nestled In his coat pocket, he had
found no chance to speak word to
Louise. He began to be bit uneasy.
Late one afternoon at the beginning
OF the third week Morton sat discon-
solately on the top rider of the fence
that skirted the old turnpike. He had
been sitting there since noon vainly
trying to formulate some scheme which
would bring him triumphantly into the
presence Of Louise Davis long enough
for him to utter the words on the end
of his tongue.
Down the road came a cloud of dust.
and presently Louise herself, quite
alone, wheeled past in an automobile.
Inc next afternoon at the same time
Morton from the raspberry shrubs be-
side the road saw her again speed by. |
A third and fourth afternoon he |
waited patiently among the priclxly |
raspberry bushes, and when that
fourth afternoon she went past his
hiding place Morton rushed to the tele-
graph office and sent the following:
Travers-send down the twenty horse
power auto. MORT0N
Three evenings later, just at sunset.
Louise Davis sped an automobile along
the cool, pine shaded stretches of the
turnpike. Presently a mighty cough
Ing and humping behind her caused
her to turn her head. There, rapidly
oYerhaullng her. was a huge red tour
ing ear ana In the touring car, a grim
smile on his face. sat Philip Morton.
She turned her eyes ahead and gave
her automobile full speed, but Il was
no match for the heavy touring car.
which overlook her with ease. She
ooked back angrily, aud by the mo-
Ion OF his lips she could see Morton