The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-02-15
HER FIRST
PROPOSAL
BY KEITH GORDON
Copyright, 1908. bu T. C. Mcclure

L
Mowbray and Miss Farrar strolled
through the greenery of the park with
the languid abstraction born of the
first warm weather and 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
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 attractfveness 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 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 aud say, Nonsense, Clark;
don't be silly!"
He sent speculative glance toward
!, L.
off 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 a knoll
where under 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 a 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 a well bred stare. know
ing that her feelings would soon reach
the point of overflow AT last she
broke the silence.
do | look to you like a person Sc
Iected by fate to be distinguished among
-disagreeably distinguished,
mean?' she demanded, turning toward
him with a directness which challenged
a truthful answer. He regarded her in
a manner intended to convey that he
was making an expert examination.
mo- he admitted, q can't say that
you do-that is 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.''
Il haven't the least idea what it is
about, but 1 am glad that there is 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.
I'm not especially plain. do you
Think"
Her tone was deprecating. but she
turned her face toward him in a nan
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 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, l think we may
say" he agreed suaveIy.
And I'm sure I'm affectionate and
fairly good tempered and-and"-
Mowbray encouraged her by a nod.
land domestic"
81 shall have to take your word for
that
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 tell-how it is that I've reached
the age of thirty-three without ever
having had a proposal"
Mowbray threw himself back and
roared, While her arms came down off
~ Il L,
upon her hands and sat looking at him
uvIn a e,s,r of @l,o