The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-04-19
SheProposed
By F. A. Mitchell
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association,


this story would take all the romance
out of 1t. She was Welsh. and some
fifteen or twenty letters are required
to spell her pame, and after 1t has
been spelled 1t could only be pro-
nounced by one asleep and at the
will therefore Gull her Anne
If Annes name was not attractive,
Anne herself was very attractive.
She had been born and lived till she
was fifteen in Wales and possessed
the rose and ivory complexion common
among the girls of the British isles.
She was plump as n partridge and had
pair of white shoulders and an ex-
quisitely rounded neck. Then her
llps-well, they are best described
as kissable. In other words, Anne
was a pretty Welsh girl who had
come to America with her father to
live on farm of his own in Minnesota.
| Anne had lost her mother before
| leaving Wales. and her father had
married again. Not all stepmothers
make life miserable. but Anne's step
mother did. At any rate. Anne al
ways felt that the home she had
known had passed away with her
mother; that there was now different
home with new crop of children of
which she was not part and in
which she had no place. 1t seemed
to her that If she were out of it there
would be an advantage to it and to
her.
Anne had q friend whom she had
met in Minnesota. The friends own
true name was Martha. She, too, was
the daughter Of farmer and lived
short distance down the road. One
evening Anne after scrap with
her stepmother went out and stood
at the gate to nurse her wrath alone.
While she was standing there along
came her bosom friend. Anne poured
long catalogue of troubles into
Martha's ear Martha listened till a
pause came and then said:
"This is no place for you, Anne.
You should be married and have a
home of your own"
II know It," said Anne, but whom
am to marry? All the young men as
soon as they are grown 60 to Mime
apolis or St Paul or Chicago or St
Louis. They oil seem eager to get
away from the farm as soon as pos
sible. can't follow them to the
city. and If could 1t would do no
good. am country born and bred
and entirely untitled for the city"
Nevertheless you must marry"
"a will! III stop waiting for pro-
posal. I'll ask the first man ] see to
marry me-"
At that moment a man appeared
some distance down the road. He was
carrying bundle done up In ban
danna handkerchief at the end of a
pole. the pole resting on his shoulder
Here comes your opportunity" said
Martha.
Anne gave a gasp. 81 wish had
the courage to do it." she said.
Il dare you"
you dare meY
"Yes: you said Just now you would
ask the first man that came along to
marry you, and here comes young
fellow of suitable age. Ask him."
"But suppose he should hold me to It.
might jump from the frying pan into
the fire."
Marriage is lottery even If you
have known the one you marry long
while and consider him perfection"
Hes good looking" whispered Anne
stealing a glance at the man.
|
be too late"
Suddenly 1t occurred to Anne TO dc
as she had threatened. speaking In q
language he would not understand
She had not forgotten the language OF
her childhood. She called out In
Wesh:
"A oes cisiau gwraig arnoch chwi?
DO you want Il wifeN
"Oes" Yes, came the reply quick as
fash.
The young man turned TO see q pret
ty girl looking at him in CONSERVATION
her face all atlame. He started toward
her. but Anne ran into the house and
slammed the door in his face
If she had thus rudely treated any
young nun ol ueT acquaintance uOuDt'
less he would have gone off in high
dudgeon. But she had called on Cupid
to help her, and the little god once in
terested 1t is no easy matter to allay
that interest. Indeed, he is impudent
and persistent. The young man went
to the closed door and tried to open It,
Anne was holding 1t from the inside
Cupid proved the stronger. and the
door was forced, When Cupid enter.
ed, Anne had buried her face in the
pillow of hall settle. The young
man stood by and said:
II perceive that you are Welsh.
am just come from Wales and am
looking for place to settle in this
great country. Will you tell me what
county In Wales you are from?
A smothered sound came from be
tween Annes face and the pillow
"Carmarthen."
"Carmarthenl Why. that's my coun
ty too"