The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1904-03-24
HER FIRST
PROPOSAL
BY KEITH GORDON
Copyright, 1908. By 7. C. McCl,trs

/
| 1t was the softest of spring days, and
Mowbray and Miss Farrar strolled
through the greenery OF the park with
the languid abstraction born of the
first warm weather and a friendship OF
several years standing. Though their
eyes drank in the beauty of the scene
about them = the great stretches of
| greensward, the trees and bushes that
were bursting into the tender green of
| the season as into sort of silent song
neither of theal was thinking of it.
Miss Farrar, indeed, was living over
other days inevitably brought back by
the warm breeze and the smell of
growing things other springtimes
when life meant only the beautiful pos
sibility of love- And Mowhray was
| thinking Of her and wondering If by
any chance 1t would be worth while to
tell her, for in spite of her unquestion-
| able attra ctiveness he could not help
feeling that he would find 1t hard to
| look into those calm, clear eyes and
L
ardly nor inexperienced. He simply
| had a natural shrinking from being
regarded with suppressed amusement
! by the woman he loved; And in her APP
parent immunity from such emotions
that was what he feared. She would
in all probability only laugh her light,
frank laugh and say, Nonsense, CLARK;
don't be silly!'
He sent a speculative glance toward
her as she walked beside him looking
of into the distance with the preoccu-
pied air of a woman whose whole mind
was given to some engrossing and per
sistent thought.
LET us sit for awhile" she proposed
as they reached the top of knoll
| where, under a solitary tree, bench in
vited relaxation. Suiting the action
to the word, she seated herself COM
| fortably with her elbows placed de-
| family on the back of the bench, an
| attitude peculiar to her aggressive
moods and one which Mowbray had
learned to recognize as premOnitory OF
| an intention to talk things out to fin
ish.. He wondered what it would be
this time, for he had long since dropped
into his role of mentor.
He waited patiently with eyes that
roved carelessly over the mansions on
the far side of Fifth avenue, which in
turn sent back well bred stare, know
Ing that her feelings would soon feach
the point of overflow. At last she
broke the silence. -'.... ...a.
''Do look to. you like person Sc
lected by fate to be distinguished among
women-disagreeably distinguished, /
mean?" she demanded, turning toward
him with directness which challenged
q truthful answer. He regarded her in
manner intended to convey that he
was making an expert examination.
sNe," he admitted, 81 can't say that
you dO--that is He stopped rather
vaguely.
'.sOh, now don't try to soften the
truth" she interrupted quickly, "Pm
after facts, and l am not going to lay
anything you may say up against you"
81 haven't the least idea what it is
about, but am glad that there lis go
ing to be no animosity," Mowbray OBJ
served politely. Then he settled him
self to listen. 1t was one Of his virtues
/ that he never missed his cue.
Her next words came out rather alb
/ ruptly: - 80
''I'm not especially plain, do you
think p u .... : -
Her tone was deprecating, but she
turned her face toward him in man
ner as impersonal as If she were call.
ing his attention to the landscape.
Then she continued impartially:
THAT is. suppose would be classed
as fair to middling.'"
He nodded assent with q CLEAN Of
mischief in his eye.
''To. tell you the truth"-her tone had
dropped into the personal confidential
key-"Pm not at all conceited about
my looks, but Ive always fattered my
self that am rather interesting
The statement ended with rising in
fectien which made it question, and
ii was evident that she was awaiting
his decision with some anxiety.
Rather interesting, l think we may
say" he agreed suavely.
L LII LII
fairly good tempered and-and"-@.
Mowbray encouraged her by nod.
-"afld domestic" .."t
Il shall have to take your word for
that" + u ~ IT, s.s-.
well, / am domestic. know am!
SO want you to explain to me"-her
voice was growing tumultuous-''bu
first promise ON your honor that you'll
never teIEhow it is that I've reached
the age Of thirty three without ever
having had proposal" ST.
Mowbray threw himself back and
.roared, while her arms came down of
the bench and she dropped her face
upon her hands and sat looking at him
with the puzzled air of pupil at the
feet Of a master. @ess'
S@When you've. done laughing" she;
began with dignity. ~ ~
y. Pardon, dear, thousand pardonsy'
! He had never called her that before,
and there was something in his voice
which bespoke new hope and con-
fdence, but she was too engrossed in
her pursuit OF self knowledge to no
tice.
AW8Vt W Say ludL LII SSHSADIC.
Men always like that, you know. Any
way, they pretend to- .ss:
She finished In way that suggested
that she had her doubt of their sim
.ceffty. With a mighty effort her com.
panion, swallowed his mirth. and pre-
pared ITO face the situation with her.
rs it because you haven't wanted
any one to ask your he inquired diplo-
matically.s .@e.-.
mo, indeedy' ~
And no man has ever told you that 1
he loved you re .murmured In
thoughtful tone aatranger'
"Well-now-l diap't say just that
you known ~
There was faint suspicion. of
blush ON Miss Farrarss smooth cheeks,
but her glanee met MOyyhrav's viii, ito