The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-02-04
HER PROPOSAL,
BY MARION eoLpaERa.

not interested In the rights OF women,
was deeply interested In tbs rights Of
, woman. and that woman was her
self. Miss Hathaway was twenty-six
years old and unmarried when It sud
denly occurred to her that there was
one right belonging to her that she
had been denied. not by any law, but
by the most imperious Of all rulers,
custom.
"a man." she said, may say with
impunity, I'm looking for WIFE but
let woman say the same thing about
a husband and she would be consid-
cred immodest In the extreme. Indeed,
her statement would be held up to ridi-
Guile and would defeat her purpose to
marry. Furthermore, man may ask
a dozen women one after another to
marry him, while woman is forbid
den to ask even one man. Now, Pm
not going to submit to such injustice
any longer. wish a husband, home
and children. know the man l
should like to marry. l decline to
angle for him. I'm going to assume
with regard to him the same privilege
he has assumed toward me. ] shall
propose marriage"
Mr.. Archibald Howe was the man to
whom Miss Hathaway decided to pro-
pose. He was thirty-two years old,
doing good business and of good
standing both socially and as citizen.
Miss Hathaway had an income Of
$1,000 year. In business point Of
view the elements for partnership
existed. The question in the lady's
mind was this: First, had the man
ever thought Of her as one he would
like to marry; second, If not, could she
lead him to 80 think Of her? He was
permitted to discover her feelings for
him. Why should she not be permitted
to learn his for her?
All this reasoning was well enough,
but to put 1t into practice was another
matter Miss Hathaway WINGED at the
first fine. A brave way to act in the
case was to send for Mr.. Howe and
make her proposal by word. Her feel
ings constrained her to do 1t by letter;
but, after writing and tearing up some
twenty epistles, she concluded that she
must either take the bull by the
horns"-that Is, make her proposal in
person or not at all. Summoning all
her resolution, she wrote him to call
on her.
When Mr.. Howe's card was handed
her the next evening she caught sight
Of her face in mirror. Dismay was
written on every feature. She was
strong character, though with a tend
ency to enter upon innovations that
only the concurrent opinion Of large
communities can effect. At any rate,
she was determined and, having once
| put her hand to the pillow, would not
turn back. But It required ten min
utes before her heart beat would sub
side to q normal rate, at the end of
which time she descended the stair
case and entered the dra wing room
Her heart had recommended its kettle
drum performance and her knees
threatened to let her down on the floor
That woman's nature had something
to do with the custom Of proposals for
the first time rushed upon her with
great force. Mr.. Howe rose, she me-
chanically extended her hand, he re-
sumed his seat, and she sank on one
end Of sofa.
What can do for your" asked the
visitor.
Miss Hathaway's reply was a SILVER. |
"A matter Of charityT asked the
gentleman after a pause to help her
out.
"Well-yes-in a way"
"For whom or what do you ask aid?" |
Myself"
Mr.. Howe looked surprised.
Il have sent for you, Mr.. Howe" she |
continued, with every show of resolu-
tion. Gin order that 1 may do some
thing-something very dissgreeable,
and wish you to help me-"
Something dissgreeable"
Every"
els it something we can do toseth-
err
"No; one or the other must do it."
II shall be very happy to do It for
you IL can"
'"That's impossible"
Mr.. Howe thought q bit before say.
ing:
"If one or the other must do it, and
can't do It, don't see but that you
must do 1t yourself"
Miss Hathaway didn't look az If she
could.
"Tell me-" added the caller, what 1t
is and I'll see what can do for you"
he rose from his seat and sat down
beside her.
mo; have resolved to do it myself,
and WILL"
Proceed"
Miss Hathaway gathered her fseul-
ties for beginning.
Did you ever think Of me-that Is,
in the friendship that has existed be-
tween us-has 1t ever occurred to
you
She stopped.
Mr.. Howe was looking at her In
tently. Her bosom was heaving; her
eyes were like those Of hunted fawn.
1t occurred to him that he would like
to put his arms about her, take her
head on his shoulder and comfort her.
Il have freely resolved" she went
on, with gasp, always to remain
single"
"Indeedw
Eyes. And l have thought that we
might devote ourselves to some worlds
work together"
He gazed upon her, still intently, for
some moments, then said:
Yes, and that work win be to bsila
up home for ourselves"
She turned her face up to him Light
ed by q smile and said: al
There, knew I could do It" ~