The gold leaf., 1909-11-11
Adde'S Proposal


OF course, Addie Ronolds did not
nirt. She would tell you so herself.
But there were some ill-natured per-
sons in Brookton who were so un-
kind as to declare that q young wom-
an who dragged half a score OF eager
suitors at her chariot wheels was Q
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 disgrace unbearable
Phil Brewster. one of her most ar
Lent admirers. was undoubtedly good
looking. He was full six feet tall.
we'll built and. when he forgot to pose
which was seldom-he moved alert
Iy 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 q
.eddish tint. and there were times
when he felt that his hands were a.
large as dinner plates.
Now as she sat there with half 4
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
he Sunday school rooms were Just
the same as the church itself. and
that 1t was PROCLAMATION of the house
OF the Lord for her to carry on SO.
That was one of the reasons why
Addie always llirted more desperately
at the church socials than at other
times. Thus it 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 regard ID with amusement
their efforts to oust the latest rival.
AS the evening passed Addie 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
eel. and in the dim light that fii'kered
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
Il came in here to be alone" she
explained, as she looked up. I don't
mean that l mind you." she added
quickly, as Tim offered to go; but
the boys have been horrid to Mr..
Stanley, and l haven't been enjoying
myself bit"
'1 thought you liked to see the
boys fighting over you." suggested
Tim. Il know that when Brewster
came to town"
Addie interrupted with an impa
tient gesture.
II don't want to talk about Phil
Brewster or about anyone" she said,
. wearily. 81 have been sitting here
making . New Years resolution. !
am not going to let any of the boys
come to see me during the new year.
and II anyone dares to propose to
me shan't speak to him again. I'm
tired Of it all, Tim"
ITS . very good resolution" dc.
clared Tim, virtuously. Il hope that
you live up to It."
I'm going to-" declared Addis.
firmly. What are you looking at your
watch for?" she added. curiously, Is
Tim struck a match to glance at the
dial.
Ten minutes OF r." he announced
as he slipped the watch back into his
pocket and ground the match under
his heel. Il was wondering how much
more time l had"
Are you going to make q resclu.
ton, too?" she asked.
Not a resolution, but Q last pro-
posal," he explained. If you are not
going to listen to proposals next year,
| want to make mine now, before u
Is too late. | have not spoken BE-
cause when / see you with the other
fellows ] realize how little chance I
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 IL there is any hope for
me. l don't suppose that there is"
He had risen to his feet again, while
he 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
the tower began to toll the knell ot
the year and the sonorous strokes
echoed oddly through the empty
church.
IF you want me to say No. of
course ] sl.all tr, and do as you asx-"
began Addie. Tim grasped her hands
and drew her toward him.
DO you mean that perhaps there IL
a different answer" he cried. hoarse-
ly. "Addie. do you mean that"
Don't you suppose that :hc.e was
some reason for my not accepting the
other proposals." suggested the girl.
"Of course. / could not ask you TO
marry me, but now that you have"
You have had your ;ast proposal" /"
he cried. Dear. this is going to %
the happiest New Year for me,"
And Cor me, too" agreed AddiA