Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1908-01-10
800 ; 8 5 IS ) = /. ,,ee, !, |, 3. :. :,
A New Way to Propose.
[Original.1

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[Originall
Roland Mason prided himself on be-
ing original. Conventional methods
were irksome to him. When the time
came for him to go to Louise Allinson's
father to ask for her hand he disdain-
ed to put the case in the ordinary way
viz, II love your daughter and will
do my best to make her happy" He
had way of his own of making his
proposition
Entering the library, he found Mr.
Atkinson with his evening paper, smok.
Ing. There was some of the trepida-
ton usual to such situations in the
young mans breast, but he did not
show it, On the contrary, he assumed
very careless manner. He was little
known to the man to whom he made
his application, though he had been for
some time devoted to his daughter.
This is not strange. Even a couple
counting really know little of each 9th
er. for they invariably assume to be
what they are not and seldom disabuse
! each other till after they are married
and come down from acting parts to
iife's real drama. Meanwhile their
parents, unless the two families have
been intimate, know less of their pro-
spective son and daughter in law than
the couple know of each other.
Without giving Mr., Atkinson even an
opportunity to speak civil word by
way of welcome Mason began to state
his case.
Il have come, sir" be said. Ito tell
you that your daughter loves me and
has set her heart on me. 1t does not
matter that I may be unworthy of her
or mat l cannot, at least not now,
maintain her in the style to which she
has been accustomed. know that she
mas always been given what she has
wanted. She wants me, land don't
doubt that you will not refuse her. I
have the honor to ask that you will
give me to her.
Mr.. Atkinson when the young mar,
began laid down his paper, took bis
cigar from between his lips and sat
with 1t between his first and second
fingers There was no readable express
sion on his face. Indeed, it was i'm
penetrabie. 1t was some time after
the request had been made before he
moved; then he resumed his cigar
gave a few deliberate puffs and, again
lowering it, said:
you are quite right in assuming
that my daughter has always been
given what she has desired. No Other
course las been possible. From he,
earliest childhood she has dominated
every one Of her family by an iron will
which would get anything she wished
cut OF brazen image. 1t doesn't mat
ter that you can't afford to give he,
luxuries. She will have them so long
as you have cent left. Then after
she has exhausted your resources she
Will doubtless come back upon me.
Ser marriage with you, however. will
enable me to make an escape The
day that YOU are married propose to
take her mother abroad, and we shall
Tx our residence in some corner of the
globe where your wife will not be able
to lind us. This is the happiest day
have known since the little curmud.
geon was born. How soon can you ar.
range to be married?''
AS Mr.. Atkinson proceeded with his
catalogue of terrors young Mason look.
ed for some indication that he was
speaking in jest. But there was not
the slightest evidence of anything of
the kind-no twinkle in the eve, no
curve of the lips. And when he had
finished he breathed a sigh, as if hav.
ing shifted great burden.
do you really mean that Louise
isl
Il am not SO dishonorable as to per
NIT young man just starting in life
to put his neck in a yoke without in
forming him of the facts. Louise is
capable, attractive, and there is moth.
Ing mean about her. But you must be
prepared when you marry her to give
up the last vestige of independence
She will rule you as she has ruled NE
with q rod Of iron"
"She has never shown
mo, she has not shown her defect to
you. AS you say, she wants you. She
will have you. She has the sense not
to give you a foretaste of what is to
come. But should one of her cyclones
get the better of her discretion that
would make no difference in the end
She has set her heart on having you,
and nothing can save you from her."
''Really," twitching nervously, this
is astonishing"
LET me know" added the prospec-
tive father-in-law, taking up his paper,
lat what date the wedding is to take
place. My daughter will desire to
make splendid affair Of 1t, and by
way Of preparation must get in some
loans l have out"
Having thus put an end to the inter-
view, Mr.. Atkinson began to scan the
news and Mason withdrew. Louise
was waiting for him in another room,