The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-12-30

COrdOn'S
Proposal
/ 1t Only Came After He Recov.
cred From His Baskfulness
By CLARA II. HOLMES


THAT Gordon Mcfarland" remarked
Davy Moulton. lis the limit He hasn't
courage enough to propose"
Huh. Do you want to marry him
that you are SO anxious about itY'
No; | haven't cherry lips and dim
ples"-
Never mind the inventory, Brother
Davy," she replied.
"All right. sis. but it'll never happen
unless you propose. In the presence
of his Notwithstanding you-he is re-
duced to a pulp"
The sting to this teasing was in its
truth. Gordon was devotion itself, yet
| it was silent alteration. He seemed
! unable to utter a word in her presence.
She had given him many opportunities
in that unexplainable way a woman
has. and once or twice he had foun-
dered and stammered with effort until
in vexation she had retorted so whim-
Sically that she had silenced him COM
pletely.
"Oh. he's just too ridiculous, a great
blushing like a schoolboy. 1t fairly
makes me ashamed" she grumbled.
A woman's motives are difficult to
fathom. Bess, in an unusual fit Of
graciousness. had allowed Gordon to
escort her to ball. She was justly
vain of her escorts appearance as she
Struggled beside him in the depths Of
the carriage. But by the time they
had arrived her manner had changed
visibly. so much so that she almost
ignored him after the conventional
first dance. He had tangled his feet
hopelessly in her train and missed
step until she was nearly beside her.
self with mortifcat ton.
There was ample excuse for his be-
wilderment. She was fntoxicatingly
lovely, with her draperies floating,
cloudlike. about her bare shoulders,
and the flush Of exercise tinting her
face like rose. Days comment was,
eat her,
Bess was so provoked at this that
she intended to punish Gordon by
flirting outrageously. Besides, II I
could make him cross. he might pluck
up a fraction Of courage" she thought.
1t vexed her still more because she
felt that he understood her motive. So
did Davy, and he would not fail to
tease her On the morrow.
Carelessly tossing Gordon her bou-
quet in passing. she walked off with
Gerald Stone for an ice.
Queer duck, that Gordon. Doesn't
appear to have much to say" remark
ed Gerald insinuatingly.
Here the eternal feminine came to
the surface ''Oh, l don't know"
Her tone was resentful in the ex-
IRENE. The next instant she said
sweetly. Here's just the nook for a
quiet chat Let US sit here awhile.
The ice can wait; so can Gordon.
He'd hold my bouquet all night"
laughingly.
An hour later Gordon sat abstract
eddy pulling at the petals Of the roses.
He had hoped that the flowers might
convey to her that which he found 80
diuicult to say.
In upon his musing dribbled the con-
versation of two acquaintances.
so Gerald Stone has won Bessie
Moulton? | thought Gordon was to be
the man. but be lacked courage. He
deserves to lose her. He should know
a woman despises a faint heart" said
a voice he knew.
81 wn11d III
she knew that Gerald boosted to me OF
his conquest? He told as great joke
that she had left Gordon to moon over
her bouquet. Said they were going to
slip away and let him hunt for her
when he had tired of the flowers.
Seemed to think it mighty funny" an
severed the speakers companion.
It's contemplate. l wouldn't have
thought it of Bessie Moultonw was the
reply as they sauntered down the room.
The sturdy independence OF Gordon's
Scotch ancestry rose within him. He
attached his card to the flowers and
left them in the cloakroom; then, with
a determined step. he left the house.
Bess lOitered in her frivolous chat
with the man she detested, dawdled
over her ice and finally sauntered back
to the dancing hall. apparently oblivl-
GUS to the fact that she had promised
this twostep to Gordon. She expected
him to be waiting for her. When he
was not to be seen she was perturbed.
Come on. let's take this twostep,"
said Gerald. with great familiarity.
mo. thanks" holly resenting his
tone. You have had more than enough
of my company for one evening"" she
added lightly lest she betray her an
noyance as to Gordon.
An hour or so later she called Ger
aid to her side. Il claim woman's
prerogative-l have changed my mind.
You may take me home"
AS he bowed his thanks he thought
of his boast to Van Asy1ttre and
smiled. II suspect it was he who tat
tied
Bess kept up a running fire OF non
sense all the way home, efectually ex-
Guiding sentiment.
(xordon aited in the shadow OF the