The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-11-20

propose after that dinner"
Good" said I, shaking his hand. II
hope she won't turn you down as she
did-me." Then, lodging the book he
aimed at my head, I went out.
I wandered along until, strangely
enough, found myself mounting the
steps Of Miss loves house. I really
thought that, Thanksgiving day being
SO near, and poor Stanisford on the
awful verge Of proposal, 1t would be
kind and generous thing for me to
drop In and say few more lovely
things about his character and habits.
found Winifred looking as sweet as
wild rose and full of enthusiasm
over her Thanksgiving celebration.
I'm just having few of the girls
and boys" she said, mot more 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 is
so much better at selecting flowers
than am, don't you think he
She interrupted me with spirit.
"Stanisford! Stanisford! I fairly hate
the name! If he wasn't your
| friend"
Hes thousand times better fel.
low than I. His aims are so exalted
his abilities so nlimited-his-"
Stop it," she commanded, or I'll
scratch him off the list!"
| 20, don't do that cried in agony
He is counting Oh" but my good
angel stopped me in time. l almost
told her he was going to propose after
the dinner. I would gladly have pro
posed for him then and there.
You get the flowers She said to
me winsomely at the door. '';ind, Of
course, you'll let nothing prevent your
being here for the dinner?"
| 20, nothing" exclaimed confident
", nothing in the world save battle.
murder, or sudden death"
She sr,.iled brilliantly and took my
.eparture.
The rest of the story l learned from
ne or two of my friends among the
invited guests. Stanisford has never
'poken to me since, though heaven
Nnows l never meant to wreck his
hopes. This is the tale as young Will
Dunscombe related it to M:
I'VE were all gathered in Miss
loves beautiful drawing room, witt!
our appetites on edge for the good
things we knew awaited us for dinner.
Dinner had just been announced, and
Id Stanny made a dive to take in
Miss Wipiired, who had been looking
ort OF rale and distraught for quite
! few minutes-when your messenger
ave the door bell terrific ring.
The maid brought the message
light in to Miss Winifred. She read
Il, gave one scream, and Topped over
n Il dead faint. You can imagine the
confusion that ensuel. When she
finally regained consciousness it ap-
peared that you had told her that moth
ng short OF sudden death would pre-
vent you from coming to dinner, and
! your message wasn't exactly reassur-
ing, you know. Dangerously ill. Don't
be alarmed. Heaven bless you!' Who
| helped you contrive that mess, l won.
der?"
II did it myself" admitted rue
fully. IL didn't want to scare the
| girl, so said don't lie alarmed and
and the last phrase was kind of invol.
untary-slipped in by accident. When
/ you love girl and she's such a dar.
ling you'll 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. latter 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" re-
dected.
Well, anyhow, Winifred forgave me