The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-02-05
HER FIRST
PROPOSAL
BY KEITH GORDON
Copyright, 1905. bp TC. Me0ws

through the Ereenery 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
grecnsward. the trees and bushes that
were bursting into the tender green OF
the season as into n sort OF silent song
neither OF them was thinking of IL.
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 IL 10y
any chance IL would bc worth while to
tell her. for In spite of her unquestion-
able attractiveness he could not help
feeling that he would find IL hard To
look into those calm. clear eyes and
talk OF love. Yet he was neither COW.
nrdly nor inexperienced. lie simply
had natural shrinking from being
regarded with suppressed amusement
10y the woman he loved. And In her ap
parent immunity from such emotions
that was what he feared. She would
In all probability only laugh her light,
frank laugh nnd say. Nonsense. Clark /;
don't bc silly"
lie sent n speculative glance toward
her as she walked beside him looking
off into the distance with the preoccu-
ped air of n woman whose whole mind
was given 10 some cngrossing and per
sistcnt thought.
Let us sit for awhile she proposed
~ they reached the top OF n knoll
where. under u solitary tree, bench In
vitcd relaxation. Sulting the action
Ia the word, she seated herself com
foriably with her elbows placed de
family on the back of the bench. an
attitude peculiar To her aggressive
moods and one which Mowbrny had
learned 10 recognize m premonitory Of
an intention 10 talk things out TO n I'm
ish. lie wondered what IL would be
this time. FOR he had long since dropped
into his role Of mentor,
lie waited patiently with eyes that
rovcd cnrelcssly over the mansions on
the far side OF Fifth avenue, which In
turn sent back well bred stare, know
Ing thnt her feelings would soon reacl,
the point Of overflow. At last she
broke tho silence.
"Do look to you like n person Sc.
lected by fate 10 he distinguished among
women -dIsngrecnbly distinguished, !
meani" she demanded, turning toward
him with n dircctncss which challenged
n truthful answer lie regarded her In
n manner intended To convey that he
wns making an expert examination.
"No." he admitted, 81 can't say that
you do-,hat is"-- lie stopped rather
vaguely.
"Oh. now don't try TO soften the
truth" che interrupted quickly, "Tm
after facts. and I nm not going 10 lay
anything you may say mp against you"
IL haven't the least idea what II is
about, but ! am glad that there is go
Ing TO be no animoslty," Mowbray OBJ
served politely. Then he settled him.
self 20 listen. u was one OF his virtues
that he never missed his cue.
Her next words came out rather alb.
ruptly.
"rm not especially plain. do you
think5
Her tone was dcprccating, but she
turned her face toward him IN man.
ner as Impcrsonal as II she were call
Ing his attention 10 the landscape.
Then she continued impnrtlnlly:
THAT II, suppose | would be classcd
ne fair To mlddllng'"
lie nodded assent with CLEAN OF
mischief In his eye.
"To tell you the truth"-bcr tone Ind
dropped into the personal, confidential
koy--"I'm not at all cOnccited about
my looks, but I've always fattcrcd my.
self that am rather interesting"
Tho statement ended with u rising In.
foctlon which made II n question, and
II was evident that she was awaiting
his decision with some anxiety.
"Inther interesting. think we may
say" he agreed suavely.
And I'm sure I'm affcctonatc and
fairly good tempered and AMI
Nowbray encouraged her by nod.
-"and domestic"
II shall have 10 take your word for
thnt."
well, ! nm domestic. | know ! ami
So want you 10 explain 10 me"-ber
voice was growing tumultuous but
FIRST promise OIL your honor that yOu'll
never tcll-hOw II II that I've reached
tie ngc ~ thirty.throe without ever
having had proposal"
Mowbray threw himself back aud
ronrcd, while her arms came down OF
tie bench AMI she dropped her face
upon her hnrds and sat looking ~ bin
with the puzzInd air of y pupil al th"
feet OF master
when you've done laughing" she
bcRnn with dignity
Pardon dear. thousand pnrdons"
lie had never called her That before.
nnd there was something IN his voice
which bespoke Now hope and con.
hdonco. but Fhe wng too cugrOEsrd in
her pursuit ~ self knOwledg" to no.
ficr
~ forgot 70 say Tint I'm sensible
Men always Ike TINT. you know. Any.
way. they pretend TO-"
She finished I'm n wny that suggested
that size had her doubt ~ their sin.
! cpritv. with mighty effort her com.