The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-09-29

GOrdOn's
Proposal
II Only Came After He Recov-
cred From His Baskfulness
BY CLARA II. HOLMES
Copyright. 1909. by Associated Lit
erary Press.

THAT Gordon Mcfarland" remarked
Dayy Moulton, sis the limit He hasn't
courage enough to propose"
Huh. Do you want to marry him
that you are so anxious about itg'
No; l haven't cherry lips and dim
ples"-
Never mind the inventory, Brother
Dayy." she replied
"All right. sis. but it'll never happen
unless you propose. In the presence
of his divinity-meaning you-he is re-
duced to pulp"
The sting to this teasing was In its
truth. Gordon was devotion itself, yet
1t was silent alteration. He seemed
unable to utter word in her presence.
She had given him many opportunities
In that unexplainable way a woman
has. and once or twice he had tioun-
dered and stapmered with effort until
In vcxation she had retorted so whim-
sically that she had silenced him com.
pletely.
"Oh. he's just too ridiculous, great
big thing like him. stammering and
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 modification.
There was ample excuse for his be-
wilderment. She was intoxicatingly
lovely, with her draperies floating,
cloudlike, about her bare shoulders.
aud the flush of exercise tinting her
face like rose Davy's comment was.
Gordon looks as il he would like to
eat her"
Bcss was SO provoked at this that
she intended TO punish Gordon by
flirting outrageously. Besides. II
could make him cross, he might pluck
up II 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, don't know"
Her tone was resentful In the ex-
IRENE The next instant she said
sweetly. Here's just the nook for
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 SO
dimcult 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 he lacked courage He
deserves to lose her. He should know
woman despises faint heart" said
a voice he knew.
II wonder how she would like 1t II
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 1t mighty funny" an
swered the speakers companion.
Its contemplate. / wouldn't have
thought 1t 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 obliyi-
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.
"No, 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 Gee
aid to her side. II claim a womans
prerogative-I have changed my mind
You may take me home"
As he bowed his thanks he thought
of his boast to Van Asyltine and
smiled 81 suspect 1t was he who tat
tied"
Bess kept up running fire Of non
sense all the way home, effectually ex-
Guiding sentiment.
Gordon waited In the shadow of the
trees until they arrived. He meant to
assure himself that he was not being
misled and that he was doing her no
injustice.
mot dignihed, this, but must make
sure. ] do not blame her for it.sbut
she might have been more kind about
It. certainly subjected her to rIdi-
cule, and then, when she showed me
her favor 30 plainly and was such a
tongue tied fool that I couldn't take
advantage Of 1t, she must have thought
oh, do not know what she could
think but that was foolw he NUT
tered bitterly.
He watched Gerald assist her from
the carriage with what looked to his
Jealous eyes like an embrace. and AZ
she turned to enter the house he gave
her the flowers. She tossed them into
the shrubbtry disdainfully. II don't
want the withered things" she said.
Gordon Rathered one rose from the