Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-11-08
A PROPOSAL.
A Little Episode at the Corner Table Of
Win Gees Eating House.

The two sat at the little table in
the corner of Win Gees eating houst
on Main street. 1t is unusual for
summing parties to stop at Win
Gees: they mostly hurrirdly pass
along the alley where the eating
house stands. and patrunize the more
pretentious establishments on the
street.
With half-frightcncd eyes the girl
gazcd at her surroundings, and then
trustingly looked at her companion.
She was an attractive little person.
evidently u working girl out for an
evenings frolic. She wore high
hceled slippers, and there was a dash
of rouge on her cheeks.
| But these things meant nothing.
The high heels would be laid aside
when household duties began, and
the tears of the first babe would wash
away that ugly red forever.
1t was plain to be seen that a stage
in their courtship had been reached
when it needed but word from the
young men to make them both hap
py. He evidently realized this, al
though he seemed unable to take ad-
vantage of the situation.
Presently a Chinese boy brought
the yot-go-main. With a long fork
the girl obviously stirred the mixture
OF noodles and sliced pork in her
bowl, but her companion called for
chopstickS.
You can prong it out, Name, "
he said, but Ill have to use these,
because the folk here buy all their
coal of us, and want to be friendly
with them
All right" Name responded.
Then. suddenly: Frank, what did
we come here for, anyway"
Had Frank been candid young
man he would have responded:
Because have something to tell
you that | have never dared to tell
you when we were alone together. |
have tried to whisper it when we
were among those of our own race.
but always your blue eyes frightened
me into silence. These persons sur
rounding us now cannot understand
what | say, and their presence gives
me courage to speak. love you,
and | want you to be my wife"
He said none of this, however. In
stead he sat in silence, fidgeting
about on his chair. a figure sitting
behind rough desk near the door
caught Names eye
Who's that" she demanded.
Win Gees wife.
She's an American, said Name,
shadN3erinE; ~ Ne! nG:,s on,x half uh,,o ),
Does she smoke opium"
No; | think she gets drunk,
though" "
That's too bad. She could be
such help to her husband -
Her names Mary Win. They
call her Spotted Mary "
What makes them call her that?
She's not freckled. -
No; but she's got they say
she's got spots, like tattoo marks, on
her
He seemed to regret having i'm
parted this information, for he bit
his lip and dealt himself Il wicked
kick on the shin, as he haStensd to
add:
The Chinese doctor told me"
Gce! said the girl, admiringly,
what a lot of tough folks you
knowt'
II know some that amt tough,
too. "
Don't you think, she replied de-
murcly, that there must be a lot of
reaches in a damp place like this?'
Before replying he reflected deep
ly, as though trying to evolve some
way of turning the conversation from
entomology to sentiment. Then he
aimlessly remarked:
Maybe so. But eat your noodles,
Name. There's worse things than
reaches in the grave"
She gave vent to a hysterical gig
gle. Honest to goodness, Frank,
your re Il regular devil.
Intoxicated with the compliment,
he went on with enthusiaSm:
We've known each other for q
long time, haven't wew
This was Names cue to look down
cast and be silent. Instead, she
glanced around quickly and cried out:
oh, what 5 that cute little China
man got on his wriStS?'
Jade bracelets. But that's q wo-
man, Name"
ITS not; he's wearing trousers. !"
That makes no difference; he's q
woman, just the same. In China
town trousers are only skin deep"
Then he kicked himself beneath the
table.
"Ouch" cried Mamie with a start:
you got me that time, Frank Ry-
der"
"Oh, I'm so sorry" he moaned.
Lets 60" the girl exclaimed,
rising: I'm afraid they're catch
ing" and she glanced at Mrs. Win
Gee. There's nothing here that l
care for anyway-eXcept you"
"Oh, Name darling!' he cried,
eagerly. Name. Mame."
For moment those terrifying blue
eyes were bent upon the floor. Then
she smiled up into his face.
Say, dearie, she whispered,
lets get some ice cream and then
take a walk past those stores where
they sell furniture on installments.
And they went.
NOVEMBER.