Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-04-21
AN EASTER PROPOSAL.

ludlcrous, gushing epistle. / could hardly
refrain from Laughing aloud and naturally
thought how different it was from the
nice, sensible one l had dispatched to Miss
Helen Goldrox that afternoon, wherein /
had politely added that / would call for
my answer in a couple of days-on the fol-
lowing Sunday in fact, Easter Sunday.
Bifkins looked the whole thing over, and
then, looking up at me obviously, asked:
SAY, old fellow, do you hin this is all
right? Isn't it just-er-just a trifie-er-
~strong?"
1t was all could do to keep from
laughing right at him, poor chap, but l
restrained myself Ink said in an injured
tone:
That's the usual thanks a fellow gets
for helping a friend out"
oh, say, old chap, / didn't mean that"
he said, apologizing profusely. 'Of course
it's all right if you say so"--this even
more obviously.
'Of course it is / answered gayly. and
then / stayed until 1 saw him put il in
an envelope and send It out to be posted.
1t was a great lark, / thought, as /
strolled home afterward, and when Easter
Sunday came ] sprJced myself up to wait
upon the sweet and wealthy Helen, to
whom l thought, after 1 had been ac-
cepted, / might tell the farce, and, as
SAN oAW1S5 1Nk1NdAAiSAS 3lJOS1 VI q JOhGs
after she had playfully chided me for be-
ing so cruel, / was quite sure TO nave her
join me in a hearty laugh at poor Bifkins'
expense.
i made my way to the Goldrox mansion,
and being admitted waited in the parlor
several minutes for Helen 10 come down.
Having to wait was unquestionably a good
sign, thought !; girls always like to put
a few finishing touches on their toilet
Il hafOra ~ fhaU Gonna 1nv-a m r1aat fhafr
future husbands, and i 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
aa..aT { como nesting into my arms or any
thing of that sort. But then, thought J.,
Helen always a sensible 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 a seat In one of the chairs
that stood quite near to the sofa, but yet
not near enough to be comfortable.
/ confess / was slightly embarrassed for
a moment, but recovering my self COM
mand / softly whispered:
Helen, I've come in person TO urge what
i asked in my letter of proposal and hon-
estly, sincerely trust that you care suf-
ficiently 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
lieve me, Mr.. Hardup, l am equally sim
cerely sorry, and / should have written
you, only / didn't know how 10 put il,
but the very next day after your pro-
posal I received another. so passionate.
50 fiattering, so-oh, so beautiful!s-and
her eyes lit up-'that, though 1 have all
ways had a most friendly regard for you,
/ could not resist-the gentleman who
wrote the other proposals passionate.
beautiful pleading, and / wrote him a let
ter accepting him by return mall. II
hope / haven't hurt you, n In awfully.
awfully sorry, but then there are any
number of other really nice girls. and
and and then no doubt fearing she
might put her foot in 1T Helen said no
more.
/ sat half dazed for a moment. and
then I summoned up enough courage to
murmur. May / ask the gentIeman's
name?"
Mr.. Bifkins.'
I was almost tempted TO burst out
Laughing. I thought 1t must be a joke.
But instead / merely And
do you care 50 much for him n,
We'll. candidiy, she replied. ~
hadn't thought much about him before
before ! received his proposal, but
when I read that, so fiery, so kind. so
fun or burning admiration. my eyes
seemed to open and read my heart Alright,
and In Observation-Disclosures and fervor Of
the moment | sent him my reply"
After that ! didn't stay to hear much
more, and as 4 went Town the front stairs
didn't know whether I ought 70 laugh
or feel sorry.
But as l went up the street and the
recollection Of that ludicrous letter filed
with the mbecile sush and farce comedy
lheroics that I had dictated tyr Bifktns
came back TO me and / came to consider
that Helen Goldrox had taken the Laura
Jean Libbyian sentiments &c serious and