The Washington herald., 1908-02-09
AN INVITATION TO MATRIMONY

Ia say and goes off and telephones It TO
YOU or writes il and sends IL special de-
livery. il takes all the tang out Of every
thing
There aren't any real proposals any
more When man wants TO marry
girl nowadays hc just casually mentions
I 20 her that he needs somebody 10 darn
I hIs. socks and make his coffee, and keep
T his shirts IN order. or else he begins by
railing az the lauu6ries and berating the
board 4ng-hoUses and gradually works
around 60 - description Of the new mis-
sion furniture be expects 20 buy, and OF
I the way he'd III up fiat If shed come
and live in il. or he may Honchalantly IN
/ iquire whether she likes her steak rare or
sell done. and follow IL up by an e8cia-
{ nation Of delight M their mutual tastes
+ IN meat and vegetables. and the sugges-
/ tion that they might always give Their
dinner orlers together And when Il
+ all over aud sbe nnds herself married,
she has forgotten how it happened and
has nothing 10 remind her of her court
ship-but The ring and the wedding GER
uHcate But # women could do the pro-
posing they wouldn't rush into il or STUN
( ole into II OF side into il as II it were
! lunchroom or a duty OF an afternoon tea
/ We'd wait FOR a proper background and
/ a foil moon and slow music. and then
4 we'd lead you of 70 a secluded corner or
/ d conservatory or the park, oT-Why, /
DO believe. were there already, ex-
I claimed the Bachelor Girl. interrupting
herself as she turned with a little skip OF
delight frori the avenue into the SHOW
covered path beneath the trees.
we are. acknowledged the Mere Man.
with real fright in mis- eyes. But you
didn't finish he added. hastily. What
would you DO when VOC got US into a
! tight corner or "a prOpOsit0Ty or a lonely
/ paFky
That's what / brought you here for,
/ answered the Bachelor Girl quickly
"Shall / show you--
"Holdr cried the Mere Man dIngng up
( his hands, imperativeiy. What have you
to offer me, madam?
What
Can you support me in the style to
which ! have beea accust0med?'
Me-"
win sou guard me tenderiy from ali
/ cares and troubles and make my life a
path of roses and pay my tailors bills
and keep me in cigarettes and smoking
( tobacco?"
What are you talking about?
"Will you settle my bridge debts and
my club dues and furnish me with fancy
neckties and decoIlete waistcoats and
monogrammed shirts. and take me tray
cling or the choo-choo ears, and tip my
valet. and
DO you mean to say
/ Il mean TO say that a proposal is an
| offer. What have YOU got 10 offer?' And
the Mere Man folded his arms and faced
the Bachelor Girl challengingy.
But the Bachelor Girl walked on in dead
silence.
Il thought so" remarked the Mere
| Man. trying to peep over the muff she
held up 10 her cheek. ITS the chap who
| is going TO foot the bill who usually
gives the invitation 20 dinner or the
theater-or matrimony," he added lacon-
ieally.
"Oh. we'll" The Bachelor Girl slipped
/ her muff down from her scarlet cheek
| and tucked her fingers cozily inside it.
| I'll let you do your own proposing,
then. she pouted.
Thank you" returned the Mere Man
politely. Il was just going TO. This is
such lovely background, and there
the slow music of a hurdygurdy in the
distance, and I've got you of in a lonely
| corner
DO go on, urged the Bachelor Girl
| enthusiastically. Il never in my life felt
SO much like"
'Do you?" exclaimed the Mere Man
joyously, trying TO catch her fingers
/ through the muff.
Like refusing you.' finished the
/ Bachelor Girl haughtily. stepping 20 the
other side of the path.