Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-02-11
HER FIRST
PROPOSAL
By KEITH GORDON
Copyright, 1905, IN T. C. Mcclure

BLOW pray ana MISS aFfaf stfolleu
through the greenery of the park with
the langrlid 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 them 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 Mowbray was
thinking of her and wondering if by
any chance it would be worth while to
tell her, for in spite Of her unquestion-
able attractiveness he could not help
feeling that he would find it hard to
look into those calm, clear eyes and
talk of love. Yet he was neither cow
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 speculative glance toward
her as she walked beside him looking
off into the distance with the preoccu-
pied air of 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 a knoll
where, under solitary tree, a 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 reach
the point of overflow. AT last she
broke the silence.
do l look to you like person Sc
lected by fate to be distinguished among
acknowledgement distinguished, l
mean?" she demanded, turning toward
him with directness which challenged
a truthful answer. He regarded her in
a manner intended to convey that he
was making an expert examination.
NO" he admitted, 81 can't say that
you do-that Isl He stopped rather
vaguely.
"Oh, now don't try to soften the
TRUTH" she interrupted quickly. "I'm
after facts, and am not going to lay
anything you may say up against you"
II haven't the least idea what it is
about, but l am glad that there is 60
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.
I'm not especially plain, do you
Think"
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 a CLEAN of
mischief in his eye.
ITO tell you the truth"-her tone had
dropped into the personal, confidential
key-"Im not at all conceited about
my looks, but I've always fiattered my
self that am rather interesting
The statement ended with a rising in
Election which made it question, and
it was evident that she was awaiting
his decision with some anxiety.
Rather interesting, think we may
say" he agreed suayely.
"And I'm sure Pm affectionate and
fairly good tempered and-and"-
Mowbray encouraged her by nod.
"and domestic
Il shall have to take your word for
that
''Well, am domestic. l know / am!
So want you to explain to me"-her
voice was growing tumultuous--"bu
first promise on your honor that you'll
never tell-how it is that I've reached
the age Of thirty three without ever
having had proposal"
Mowbray threw himself back and
roared, while her arms came down off
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.
when you've done laughing" she
began with dignity.
Pardon, dear, thousand pardons"
He had never called her that before,