The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-06-26
gy BESS MEREDITH.

ana then sank back once more upon
the divan.
Speaking of men" she began.
That's all you ever speak Of" her
youthful cousin interrupted, sweetly.
"Cicely!" Marian rebuked. Put,
as ] was saying, my brother Tom is,
without exception, the most basnful
man l have ever seen as far as girls
are concerned"
Cie,ly Warren arose and walked
over 80 the side of the girl who was
seated at The rosewood writing desk.
Eileen" she remarked, Marian
IS merely implying that there is abso-
lately no chance for you in that di-
rSatioI."
@ileen Donovan blushed and turned
aSa'N to her writing. This charming
s-ish gil, on visit to her American
cousins, had habit of blushing when
seer the name of Tom Anderson
vS0n she had met three or four
SEisa - was mentioned. At present
sc vas at college, but was expected
ZONE soon.
DO you know" Marian was speak
Sg again. bob Webster, Tom IS
cAum, once sold Shat poor Tom would
never be brave enough to propose to
GIRL, nor would he be brave enough
- TeI3se one if she proposed to him. ="
That's merely another hint for
sou, Eileen" Cicely interposed, air.
lily. Its up to you. as Tom would
say, to propose to him."
This time Eileen met her cousins
gaze frankly. Are you sure it would
be satisfactory" she asked, naively.
very" affirmed Cicely.
Marian Anderson suppressed a
GAVIN. why don't you propose TO
him?" she asked languidly.
Eileen's blue eyes danced merrily.
why, l believe WILL" she said in
socently.
Cicely giggled and Marian turned
esth smile to her novel.
'It's leap year." Cicely reminded
scsr mirthfully, land he won't dare
refuse you.'
Eileen selected sheet of her dain-
Ties notepaper and occupied. herself
Tor some minutes writing. Then she
Doked up.
"Will this do?" she inquired, and
With smile she read:
Dear Toni trust shat you will
not think me too bold, but as this is
4 leap year l wished to make use of my
a nrnrouativa apd och top 70 ", n rr,, -, .
Awaiting your reply, am ever yours,
EILEEN DONOVAN"
Bravo" applauded Cicely.
"A Splendid" assented Marian.
IA And, after addressing the envelope
Eileen thrust the letter into one of
the pigeonholes, intending to destroy
1t later on.
1t was almost a week later and the
girls were seated in the breakfast
room when the maid entered with the
mail. Marian, after asserting it,
+ handed three envelopes to Eileen
. Two were postmarked from Ireland,
but one was postmarked Boston.
Wonderingly she opened it and
pulled forth the letter.
"Of all things" she gasped, after
reading it through twice. Listen to
this:
nm Dear Eileen-I accept with pleas
ure your kind proposal and trust that
YOU will make the date of our mar
riage an early one. l will be home
< Monday on the evening train and ex-
+ pect you to meet me at the station
with the trap. Until then am ever
your loving fiance.
THOMAS ANDERSON"
Eileen finished breathlessly. Who
sent him that letter." she asked, her
Face white with anger.
Cicely 3blushed and became sudden
" interested III the pattern on the
Goth.
"Cicely Warren, did you send that
svtter?" Eileen went on.
why - er er - yes." blurted
Licely. II took it out of your desk
and sent it."
"Oh, you little wretch" Eileen
said You'll have to explain, and
furthermore absolutely refuse to
riett him. What time does his train
''e'. in?" she finished abruptly
Not until g." Marian interposed
hastily.
WHY, it" began Cicely, bu,
sto. = d as she caught Marian's warn.
ing look.
I'VE are to go over to the Annes.
ieys for lunch" Marian continued
so we'd better hurry, as it's a long
drive" And the three arose from the
table.
1t was $50 and Eileen had JUS
hnlshed dressing when Marian en-
Tered her room.
'Oearie," Marian began softly. 81
nate to ask you to do this and
wouldn't ii there were anyone else tt
dc it."
Well, then, I've letter which
must go tonight. and | wondered i
you would be kind enough to take i
70 the station in time for that Git
.ra,n. Cicely is out playing tenni,
anu m not dressed for dinner, so i
soe don't mind I'll have the trap sen
aiound and you can drive over
certainly, I'll co." the girl assent
~ and ten minutes later she was OF
me way to the station.
When she had almost reached |
cue heard the train whistle blow. ant
QUE urged the horse on. Breethiessl,