Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-14
A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE.
AS 1t, Might Be If the Girls Were Bo- hemian and Brave Enough
 for the Brace.

While she waited for him she took in with tender sympathy and amusement the meager comforts of his small par Tor, relates the New York Times. The table, filtered with newspapers and mag azines, the dust In the corners, the chim- neypiece cluttered with stray pipes, to- bacco jars, shoebrush, Poor's Manual, . nickeled alarm clock, beer mug. It all seemed to her so pathetically, so helplessly masculine. She made pretty picture of what she could do with these same rooms with Derby furniture, dim ity curtains, 8 pink dado, and an art 6rug.
 ttHow at home he would be here!" she thought. How he would adorn and brighten its'
 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
 i've come in for cupful of tea said she, brightly. "Will you give me gome?"
 T believe you'd rather have cock tail," said he, admiringly.
 .I'll take anything you'll give me" she returned, laughing. ESQ 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 a companion. could she dread the future? The sense of possession was strong in her.
 Heres 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 do | you manage it?"
 "Well, usually" he began demurely; then they both laughed It 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. ''I've 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. I 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 1 Won't you let me love you and care for you and work for you?' l She bent forward She put her hand on his knee.
 l The young man looked at her for a moment: there was light in his soft I eyes that told his secret but too we'll. She held out her arms. He sank grate- l fully into them.
 s'Do you love me ?'' she persisted.
 "I adore you.'' he whispered. "But, oh, dear" he said, timidly, you'll be gentle with me always, won't you? You'll rem emher I am man, and not a woman like you. out in the world? We man have our little weaknesses, too" he added, with a coquettish glance at the cocktail glass.
 Your weaknesses" she cried, mock ingly. What are miner"
 Indeed, don't know" answered he, he, truthSully.
 'sOh, you dariing!" 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 ried woman was always entitled to more pay than bachelor girl. |