Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1909-04-21
.AReal Hero.
He Had Never Received ANY
Encouragement.

pretty brave, after all, or ne'ef'
Should have EaI Ele courage TO PFC
90 G TO Jennie,
low cell vita, It is 10 have the
agcry over! Mtel think Of my pro
crlslina,i2n--
1T wasn't so herd to propose as |
had imagined it would be. I'm glad
80 discover that I'm brave.
Many a time had thought the mo-
ment pTopitious for proposing to her,
but | always found my tongue frozen
to the roof of my mouth, even though
1t had been glib enough until one OF
those unspeakable silences came and
the very air seemed charged with a
proposal of marriage.
How / wished she would help me!
But now am glad she isn't that kind.
A man ought to do the asking. Jennie,
/ know would have died rather than
lead me on.
Yet our conversation somehow
often got around to matrimony. Jen-
ME seemed to think it the right thing
LOT man 10 marry.
"'True happiness is only for those
who are married. Jennie would say.
"'Now's my time / would think.
Then my jaws would become set, as If
they were paralyzed. Being certain
that a perfect girl like Jennie never
would accept me for husband, | felt
It would be only a case of making my
self ridiculous If I should ask her.
"'Of course should hate to see you
marry she said one' evening. You
are such a dear friend to US sll that
1t would be ALMOST like losing one Of
the family
"Let me be one Of the family !
blurted out. Let IFS to IA brother.
why did b speak that fiaal word?
| didn't mean to, but she couldn't
know that
Certainly, If you like, she an
swered, rather frostily, l thought.
Doubtless she felt that | was pre5ump-
tuous. l shriveled with despair.
However, | nerved myself for one
final effort, as doomed man risks his
all on last desperate struggle.
"'Can--may brother hold Vour
hand? / asked her. Il was perspiring
at every pore from sheer agony.
"'Some one elses brother might-if
/ cared for him, was all she said.
"Her words mystifed me greatly.
was at loss what to say next. TIE
conversation dropped. ! coulds't think
of a single idea. If she only h-d
given me the slightest hint of encom-
agement how | should have jumped at
Il! But Jennie is not that kind.
Its getting late l said ct last.
I'd better be going.
How | wished | could have kicked
myself down the steps,
but it's all over now! Actually,
don't even know how l did it. Jennie
says it turned out all right because
was SO brave. l think so myself. In
trepid' is the word Jennie used. That's
a fine word; still, I'm afraid Jennie
values me above my merits.
Il vowed weeks ago that another
year should not end without my know
, ing whether Jennie would marry me
! or not.
eThat brought brilliant idea into
my head. l would buy her ring fol
Christmas and just offer it to her in
a general way. If she put it-on hel
third finger l would speak. If /she
didflt-well,, then should laugh
hollow, mirthless laugh and broken
heartedly. wish her merry Christmas
$50 went to the jewellers. Ever
there, however, my courage nearly
failed me. Some women were standing
near the ring counter. / didn't dare
look at them or ask for rings.
81 walked along to the scarf pin:
and bought some, though didn't wan
them. Still those women hung arounC
the rings. 1t was very provoking.
bought more scarf pins. | began tt
feel as If we're going to start pawn
! shop
Suddenly some one slapped me OF
the back, and the brother of Jennie'
| girl chum said: Hello, Dick! Did vol
come to buy the engagement ring
My congratulations!
I'll was all l could stamme,
out. was so surprised.
"'Ther IS no use denying it, he in
/ sisted, Jennie told my sister herself
When is it to be?'
.'Tm not began. Then sudden
ly 1 became as bold as lion. The
| first of the year. l said. I'm buying
the ring now
81 fatter myself that can rise tt
an emergency.
q felt that those women at the rims
counter were listening. though / dir
not look at them. However, did no
care any longer.
Engagement rings, said to tn,
i clerk in loud tone. You may a
well show me plain gold rings, too
"Do you-do you want me to tr.
them on, Dick?' asked the deares
voice in the world I've beer her,
ever so long looking at some prett,
ones-if they are not too expensive
"Jennie and her girl chum! How
fortunatet
j Nothing is too good for you, Jen
ME- said at once. I'm awfully glal
"a -.,,;ol, ~, gof,a ~. -, =.