The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-11-26
in a burst of confidence, "I'm going to
nrpnnga oftar that J;nnnrv

in a burst Of confidence, I'm going to
propose after that dinner"
Good" said /, shaking his hand. 81
hope she won't turn you down as she
did-me." Then, lodging the book he
aimed at my head, ! went out.
| wandered along until, strangely
enough, | found myself mounting the
steps of Miss Loves house. | really
thought that, Thanksgiving day being
so near, and poor Stanisford on the
awful verge of proposal, it would be
a kind and generous thing for me to
drop in and say a few more lovely
things about his character and habits.
I found Winifred looking as sweet as
a wild rose and full of enthusiasm
over her Thanksgiving celebration.
I'm just having a few of the girls
and boys" she said, mot mor than
sixteen, and mother will lend dignity
by presiding at the head of the table.
Now, will you get me some chrysan-
themums?"
"Why, certainly. But Stanisford g
so much better at selecting flowers
than I am, don't you think he
She interrupted me with spirit.
"Stanisfordi Stanisford' fairly hate
the name! If he wasn't your
friend"
Hes a thousand times a better fel-
low than |. His aims are so exalted
his abilities so unlimited-his-
stop it," she commanded, or I'll
scratch him off the list"
20, don't do that" | cried in agony.
He is counting on" but my good
angel stopped me in time. I almost
told her he was going to propose after
the dinner. | would gladly have pro-
posed for him then and there.
"You get the flowers she said to
me winsomely at the door, land, Of
course, you'll let nothing prevent your
being here for the dinner"
20, nothing" I exclaimed confident
ly, nothing in the world save battle,
murder, or sudden death"
She smiled brilliantly and | took my
departure.
The rest of the story | learned from
one or two of my friends among the
invited guests. Stanisford has Eve
spoken to me since, though heaven
knows I lever meant to wreck his
hopes. This is the tale as young viii
Dunscombe related it to me-:
I'VE were all gathered in Mis-
loves beautiful drawing room, with
| our appetites on edge for the good
rhings we knew awaited us for dinner.
elmer had just been a~nnOunced, and
Id Stanny made a dive TO take in
Miss Wirifred, who had been LOOKING
-Ort Of rale and distraught for quit"
few minutes-when your messenger
ave the door bell a terrific ring.
The mpid brought the message
;eht in 10 Miss Winifred. She rea@
t, gave enc Gcream. and Topped we
4 q dead faint. You c2n IMAGINE III
cnfus'o2 that ensued. When sh"
.nally regained consciousness it ap.
cared that you had told her ina, moth
~ short of sudden death would pre-
mt YOU from coming 10 dinner, an
oar ncsSaTe wasn't eXaCtly reas9uT
., Won know. 'DangcrOusly i'll. Don't
u alarmed. Heaven bless yOI!' WhC
o'ped you contrive that mess, | won
rr?"
Il did it myself" | admitted rue
lily. Il didn't want to the
irl. so | said don't lie alarmed and
"a the last phrase vas kind of invol-
ntary-slipped in by accident. When
you love a girl and she's such a dar-
ling your often find yourself saying
heaven bless you!' just on general
principles"
Sounded as if it was a dolorous
farewell ere your departure for your
long, long home" said Duncombe.
And then after that-you heartless
wretch" pursued. after you had brok-
while the poor girl was lying upstairs
Frustrated with grief at your illness,
you went to the football game and
yelled yourself hoarse with the rest
of u.s."
THAT didn't look quite right" l re-
lected.
Well, anyhow, Winifred forgave me
sufficiently to marry me.