The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-15
B. STELLA MeALLISTER SLACK

Ths door Of the architects sitting
room opened abruptly. Freddy en-
tered and hsaved a mighty sigh.
Russell. whose suite Of rooms ad-
joined Freddy Lords. was sitting al
g big desk-table. in shirt sleeves, pipe
upside down between his teeth, green
shade over his eses. poring over the
design for a music hall OF a lunatie
asylum-it looked like either.
Wei. old man, he said cheerfully
without loking up. back so soon!
How did you bit It off,
Receiving no reply, he ra.sed his
head to see his friend huddled In
chair. chin sunk on breast, the picture
Of abject misery.
Good heavens. man" he eiacu-
lated. rightline pen suspended above
the drawing board. she refused you.
No, she didn't" retorted Freddy.
Russell rose to his feet
she accepted him. An engaged
man with that face on him. This Is
bliss, what could be blister?" he said.
"Tm not an engaged mani" snapped
Freddy.
Not engaged. and not refused.
Well, would You mind telling me
J what you are, them"
What am ~ repeated Freddy. I'm
a dolt, a craven, a--a-jackassi"
Russell resumed his seat, looking
relieved.
"Oh, I see" he said. "you funked-
I I thought you would
"Confound you. Tom Russell. what
do you mean by that?" demanded
Lord. angrily.
'Well, you see. old man, you started
out with too self-conhdent air"
well, try it yourself once"
Not l. / wouldn't do that for pay.
Still, if I was going to propose to a
girl, should not depend on an inspira-
ton. / should decide beforehand
what I wanted to say. and then say
it, remarked Russell. calmly
Suffering saints!" said Freddy,
pacing about the room, why didn't
you unload all this advice before
went and made an ass Of myself? Now.
old fellow. tell me straight, If YOU
were going to propose to a girl, what
would you say to herr" he asked, light
ing cigarette.
Say? Oh, that's dead easy I'd
say: Now, see here what's her
name?"
Mary Alice" replied Freddy, a lit
tie sheepishly.
We'll, should say: Now, see here,
Mary Alice, of course I don't pretend
to have line on your feelings, and
I'm not a descendant Of Cr0esus. nor
yet Of old Midas. but how would you
like to share my check book? Now,
thai would fetch her. wouldn't it?" he
finished triumphantly.
Fetch Mary Alice? Cad. but you're
innocent! Fetch Mary Alice with
that! Why, she'd say: Down Bruno,
down on your knees and beg for IT,
and down you'd go. too"
"Fudge" responded Russell.
q tell you. man. girls have to be
made love to, and-well, thought ]
could do Il; but every time I swung
the conversation around that way. she
would turn those big eyes on me. and
my heart just did things didn't
know whether I was whitewashing a
ton Of coal or rolling a peanut down
hill backwards"
We'll, you can laugh stormed
Lord. rising and casting his cigarette
from him. jerusalem" he went on
"at college, they teach a man every
thing but the one thing he ought tc
know"
4 suppose you wouldn't propose BY
letter." Russell interrogated, after q
time.
mo. wouldn't. That's the last re
sort Of coward, growled Freddy.
You couldn't manage 1t over the
phone?"
over the phonei You must b,
daHy!"
Then" Russell commenced. and
long pause followed. After a time. b,
announced triumphantly: ~Then
have an ideal"
Il don't believe it," Freddy flung a
him politely
well, you don't have to. Anyhow
you said girls wanted a lot Of love
making business?"
y should think yes Jove, Tom. thel
Ike It as a kitten loves a warm bricl
In the winter time" informed Freddy
And you can't say the words TO be-
g face?"
mo, can't"
Russell looked his suffering ehuu
over critically.
Well, Miss McAlden has a phono
graph, has she not?"
Yes, but what Of it?'
Now, said Russell II you ar,
r serious about this proposal, you do ex
aetly as l tell you, follow all ms IN
3 structions, and tomorrow night a.
I this time you win Be an engage
j. mani"
Freddy gasped aAre-arent w,
1 taxing quite lot for graatedgs b,
4 asked
mot a BIT Of tits a sure 20 Her,