The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-04-21
AN EASTER PROPOSAL.
*

iudierous, gushing epistle. | could hardly
GRAIN from laughing aloud and naturally
thought how different it was from the
aice. sensible one l had dispatched to Miss
.iclcn GoldroN that afternoon, wherein ]
had politely added that ] would call for
my answer in Il couple of days-on the fol-
owing Sunday in fact. Easter Sunday.
lSifkins looted the whole thing over, and
then. looking mp ut me obviously, asked:
Say, old fellow. do you think this is all
fright? Isn't it just-cr-just a t~ritie-er-
strons""
1t was ali could do to keep from
laughing right at him. poor chap. but L
restrained myself and said in an injured
tone:
That's tho usual thanks a fellow gets
for helping Il friend out"
oh, say, old chap, l didn't mean that"
he said, apolo8izins profusely. 'Of course
it's all right if you say So"-this even
moro obviously.
o course it is" ! answered gayly. and
then l stayed until | saw him put ii in
an envelope and send ii out to be posted.
1t was a great lark. ] thought. as l
stro!lcd home afterwaid, and when Easter
Sunday came ] spruccd myself up TO wait
| upon the sweet and wealthy Helen, to
whom ] thought, after 1 had been ac-
ccpted, l might tell the farce. and, as
she always exceedingly enjoyed a joke.
after she had playfully chidcd me for be-
ing so cruel, | was quite sure TO have her
join me in Il hearty laugh at poor Bifkins'
expense.
j made my way to the Goldrox mansion,
and being admitted waited in the parlor
several minutes fol Helen to come down.
Having to wait was unQuestionably a good
sign. thought J.; girls always like TO put
II few finishing touches on their toilet
before they come down to meet their
future husbands. and | was rather glad
she made me wait.
When she did come down she didn't act
just as I'd hoped she would-that is, she
didn't come nesting into my arms or any
thing of that sort. But then, thought J.,
Helen always n scnsiblc.s sort of girl and
wasn't Very apt to do that sort of thing.
SO we just shook hands and | sat down
on the sofa, but instead of Joining me
Helen took Il seat in one of the chairs
that stood quite near to the sofa, but yet
not near enough to be comfortable.
] confess j was slightly embarrassed for
a moment. but recovering my self com
mand | softly whispered:
"IIclen. I've come in person to urge what
| asked III my letter of proposal and hon
estly, sincerely trust that you care suf-
iiciently for me to trust your future hap
piness in my hands"
Helen didn't speak for nearly a minute.
when, sinking her voice, she said: Be
licve me, Mr.. Hardup, / am equally sim
ttItiS SOlIH, dIu i ShOulu nave Written
YOU, only ! didn't know how to put it.
but The Very next day after your pro-
posal ] received another. so passionate,
so liattering, so-oh, so beautiful.'-and
her eyes lit up-"t,at, though 1 Rave al
ways had a most friendly regard for you,
! could not resist-the gentleman who
wrote the other proposals passionate,
beautiful pleading, and L wrote him a let
ter accepting him by return mail. ii
hope l haven't hurt you, and I'm awfully,
awfully sorry. but then there are amy
number OF other really nice girls. and
and and then no doubt fearing she
might put her foot in it Helen said nc
more.
/ sat half dazed for a moment, ant
then ] summoned UP enough courage t.
murmur, Ma l ask the gentleman's
name"
Yes she answered timidly; 'it:
Mr.. Bifkins.'
] was almost tempted to burst on
laughing. | thought it must be 4 joke
But instead | merely murmured, .'Ant
do you care so much for him?"
Well, candidly," she replied, %.
hadn't thought much about him befor,
before ] received his proposal, blu
when / read that, so fiery, SO kind, Sc
full of burning admiration, my eye:
seemed to open and read my heart Alright
5 and in Observation-Disclosures and fervor o
the moment ] sent him my reply"
. After that l didn't stay to hear mucl
f more, and as l went down the front stair!
, ! didn't know whether 1 ought 10 laugl
(, or feel sorry.
| But as I went up the street and tn
recollection Of that ludicrous letter file,
> with the imbecile gush and farce coined,
/. heroics that / had dictated for Bifkin
came back to me and l came to conside
that Helen GoldroX had axe the Lauri
s Jean Libbyian sentiments as serious an