Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-04

At IL o'clock Mr.. Winterfood came to
tune. the piano. He had wrestled with
the drawing room piano once a quar-
ter, for fifteen years, and the little
old man, with his red pocket handker-
chief and black bag, was particular
favorite Of Margaret's. Her mother,
having learnt on the telephone that the
glittering Monty would arrive soon af-
ter II. was anxious to send the old
fellow away, but Margaret wouldn't
hear of it.
Suppose somebody calls" said the
older lady, not daring to tell the truth.
Nobody is at all likely to CALL" said
the girl lightly.
SO Mr.. Winterflood proceeded to his
irritating task, tapping note after note
in a vain attempt to adjust an instru-
ment on which a certain healthy young
lady delighted to play comic opera with
the loud pedal down.
Margaret sat by his side. 1T gets
worse and worse" said the old man,
sadly. Some of the notes in the bass
are almost UumD.
At that moment Mrs. Bush entered
the room with an expansive smile of
triumph on her face. Monty has call
ed, and wants to see you particularly"
she said.
"Monty?" said her daughter with
frown. What brings him here?
Then she remembered with a start
her reckless words at the breakfast
table, and her heart sank.
"If you are wise girl you will seize
the chance" said her mother; then
she added piously, but don't wish to
persuade you. l think you said you
intended to accept the one who asked
you first"
The girl sighed, and swept rather
sngrlly out of the ROOM 1t was really
too bad to have ones words taken up
like that. She didn't want to accept
any one Just now. Whoever heard of
man proposing before lunch?
She found the glittering youth in the
library. His attire was as nearly per-
! feet as the most expensive tailor could
make 1t, but it was easy to see he
was nervous. !
What funny time to CALL" said
the young lady rather rudely, but she
was not in a gracious humor. Il
thought you were busy in the city at
this time in the morning"
80 l am as a rule" he said with a
somewhat vapid smile. But had a
telephone message--"
"Of course, it's awfully nice Of you
to look in," she said hastily. "You
didn't come to the concert last night ?''
NO" he stammered. THE fact is
I understood that you-you We're going
with some one else"
The young lady frowned. 1t was
rather a sore point. Jack had prom
ised to take her and he had not turned
up. so that she had been obliged to go
with her parents. Monty had uncon-
sciously scored one, and her mind re.
vcrted to the furs.
IL wanted to ask you something" he
began.
I'm just going shopping" she said
with sudden energy. You can come
too If you like, and then you can ask
me as we 60 along" With true fem
ildne procrastination she was trying tc
postpone the evil moment, for she haG
an insane feeling that she would have
to keep her word, and accept him II
lie succeeded in asking her the ques
ton.
II want to know, f." he begaI
desperately.
"What about umbrellas" she asket
severely. "Is it likely to raini'
II don't think so," he said. 9Th,
question was going-"
"Of course, yes, you were going t,
| ask me a question:" she said sweetly
, Now. isn't 1t funny? Whenever peo
; pie ask me questions, l always Civ,
, the wrong answer"
Her eyes were sparkling with ex
cltement. She had obstinately made VI
r her mind that If he succeeded In pro
I posing, and forced her to give an an