Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-06-18
Adde'S Proposal

VI course, A0Ole hOQOlQS did not
Giri She would tell you SO herself
But there we're some ill-natured per-
sons In Brookton who we're so un-
kind as to declare that a young wom-
an who dragged half score of eager
suitCs at her chariot wheels was a
confirmed firt.
"She's the sort that dies an old
maid" explained Mrs. Cady, In the
awed voice of one who regards spin
isterhood as a disgrace unbesrable.
Phil Brewster, one of her most ar
dent admirers. was undoubtedly good
looking. He was full six feet tall,
well built and. when he forgot to pose
which was seldom-he moved alert
ly and with natural grace. Tim Darn
ley was his exact opposite. He lacked
six inches Of Brewster's height and
he could not coax a romantic glance
into his blue eyes, try as he would
His hair was thin and inclined to a
reddish tint. and there were times
when he felt that his hands were as
large as dinner plates.
Now as she sat there with half a
dozen cavaliers in attendance, and the
entire congregation Of the Brick
church looking on, Addie enjoyed the
situation. She could imagine the gos.
sips declaring. as they had done at
every social she could remember, that
the Sunday school rooms were Just
the same as the church itself, and
that It was PROCLAMATION of the house
Of the Lord for her to carry on SO.
That was one Of the reasons why
Addie always flirted more desperately
at the church socials than at other
times. Thus 1t happened that the
New Year festival Of the ladies of the
Chancel guild was enlivened by the
addition to the ranks of Adde'S vic.
tins of the latest arrival in town,
Sam Stanley, who had come to take
charge of the new bridge. The town
men were inclined to resent the pres
ence of the newcomer, and the rest
Of Brookton regarded with amusement
their efforts TO oust the latest rival.
As the evening passed Addle found
the maneuvering rather tiresome, and
she slipped away so quietly that none
saw her go. 1t was supposed that she
had gone home, but Tim, wandering
into the empty auditorium, saw the
CLEAN of white dress near the chan.
Gel. and in the dim light that filckered
through the ground glass partition of
the Sunday school room, he recognized
the proud toss of the head. He would
recognize Addie anywhere, and his
heart leaped with Joy as he realized
that she had not permitted Stanley to
escort her home. but had slipped away
from that eager young man and was
here alone. Softly he made his way
toward her, but not until he spoke did
she seem to realize his presence.
81 came in here to be alone" she
explained, as she looked up. 'I don't
mean that / mind you," she added,
quickly, as Tim offered to 60; but
the boys have been horrid to Mr..
Stanley, and haven't been enjoying
myself bit"
II thought you liked to see the
boys fighting over you," suggested
Tim, u know that when Brewster
came to town"
Addie interrupted with an impa.
tient gesture.
81 don't want to talk about Phil
Brewster or about anyone" she said,
wearily. II have been sitting here
making a New Years resolution. 1
am not going to let any OF the boys
come to see me during the new year,
and If anyone dares to propose to
me l shan't speak to him again. I'm
tired of 1t all. Tim"
TITS a very good resolution" de.
clared Tim, virtuously. Il hope that
you live up to H."
TIN going to-" declared Addie.
firmly. what are you looking at your
watch for?" she added, curiously, as
Tim struck match to glance at the
dial.
Ten minutes of H." he announced
as he slipped the watch back into his
pocket and ground the match under
his heel. 81 was wondering how much
more time l had"
Are you going to make q resolu.
ton, too?" she asked.
mot q resolution. but a last pro
posal," he explained. "If you are not
going to listen to proposals next year,
| want to make mine now, before IT
is too late. | have not spoken be-
cause when see you with the other
fellows ! realize how little chance /
stand, and yet when you tell me that
! cannot speak for a whole year | feel
that | must tell you that | love you
and ask you If there Is any hope for
ne, don't suppose that there is"
He had risen to his feet again, while
ne spoke. and now he stood before
her, his pale, eager face lighted by
The dim illumination from the rooms
where the festival was in progress.
As he finished speaking. the bell in
he tower began to toll the knell of
he yer and the sonorous strokes
ehoed oddly through the empty
hurch.
III you want me to say No, of
curse shall try and do as you ask"
'egan Addie. Tim grasped her hands
M drew her toward him.
do you mean that perhaps there is
different answer?" he cried, hourse-
"Addie, do you mean that"
Don't you suppose that there was
ONE reason for my not accepting the
other proposals." suggested the girl.
OF course, I could not ask you TO
'arry me, but now that you have"