Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-05-05


happen to loak In, or q chimney catch
fire. or indeed anything happen to save
her from her own obstinate folly.
Without giving him a chance to say
word. she chartered on. And all the
time she was chattering she was think
ing and trying to reconcile herself to
the inevitable. But the more she look
ed at him, the less alluring became
the prospect Of carriage and furs.
She noticed that his forehead was both
narrow and low, and though she had
not much brain herself, as she reflect
ed, she liked It in other people. Be
sides that, his watch chain troubled
her. Why did he wear such very
heavy onef
But can't stand here listening to
you," she said at last. when she found
her breath was giving out. ''You are
such a chatterbox, Monty. I'll 60 and
pop on my hat. and wen so out"
NBnt haven't asked you my Ques-
tiung' he gasped, and In sheer des-
peration he placed his back to the
door.
Oh dear, how slow you are" she
said. III it's about the dance
ut isn't about the Dance he STAN
mersd. "It'S about you. III want
ron 10 marry me"
Nothing could have been more awk-
ward than his proposal, but 1t reduced
her to a state OF despair.
The piano tuning was going on SOL
EMMY. Tap-tap tap, went the notes,
followed by a grand flourish OF chords.
Then tAp-tap tap. again.
"WhyT she asked. argumentative-
".
"Why-whatY' he gasped. blinking
his little eyes in bewildered way.
Il really must call at the butcher's,''
she said, jumping at the chance for
delay given by his indecision.
'But-will your
"You mean, marry your" abe asked
demurely. You don't give me time to
think"
"I'm awfully fond Of you, and-and
all that sort of thing he said, eager
". 1--WE should be tremendously jol-
", and-all that sort Of thing. The
governor says can draw up to $1,000
a year out OF the business for a start,
and-and things would be ripping"
She looked at him desperately. what
was she to do? She began to feel for
some queer reason that to accept him
was almost impossible, but she had
given her foolish little word.
Then bright idea struck her. Per
haps he would let her on.
Suppose 1 don't love you" she
said.
''rhat doesn't matter a Bit" he said
cheerfully. IF you will promise to
marry me, l expect shall make you
love me in time / am-oh, lord, what
beastly row that piano-tuner is MAX
ing"
Perhaps 1t would be better to talk
1t over another morning" she Sug-
gested.
ENC, no, tell me now" he said. The
piano tuning had suddenly ceased, and
he was dashing at the subject brave
". ''1'm awfully fond Of you, Mar
garet. The fact is you-you have fair
~ bowled me over. can't say exactly
what mean, because 1 am not much
Of hand at talking, and all that sort
Of thing, but"
There was a gentle knock al the
door, and Monty muttered something
under his breath which no British prin-
ter would set up in type.
1t was little Mr.. Winterhood who
entered.
Good morning, miss" he said. II
hope haven't disturbed you"
Not at ALL" she said, beaming with
pleasure.
ooh. found something of yours in
the piano." said the little man,
Something Of miner
Eyes, it's letter. No wonder the
bass notes wero nearly dumb. Good
morning, miss"
She took the envelope, and tore 1t
open. 1t was addressed to her In
Jacks handwriting.
''Dear Maggie"-it ram expect
you'll be wild with me for not turning
up to take you to the concert. But l
have been summoned into the country
by telegram. Uncle Tom is seriously
III. probably dying, and has asked to
see me. leave Euston tonight, and
have just dashed in here hoping to
catch you, but too late. / shan't be
back for two or three days at the
soonest. Goodbye, dear little girl, or
rather au revoir. This Is my birth
day, and made up my mind a long
time ago that would ask you to-day
to share my lot. VIII you be my ,wife2
Therel at last. l have summoned up
my courage. When / come back / will
try to tell you how much l love you.