Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-12
"put, mana, he's SO much olde.

young to marry-not too young to
become engaged. How old is Henry"
81 don't know" replied the maiden,
candidlv. 81 never thought to ask
him. But he seems-oh, even older
than you"
The mother laughed. and this
from a little girl who should not try
to Aatter her mama"
During the month or SO that follow
ed Henry came regularly, sometimes
81 often as two and three times o
week to the Farnam residence. Since
/ the morning after her birthday party
Rosie had seemed less at ease and, at
! times, half frightened, when in his
company. Especially was this the
case when they were not Joined by
| her mother, who usually, because Of
the cold weather and the necessity Of
| aconomiztng in fuel, sat with the two.
AT such intervals when the widow was
absent. Henry, also, was restless and
wandering in attention.
But it could not be winter always.
| Spring breeZes came at last over the
Ozarks into Missouri The sun shone,
| robins fitted between the boughs Of
NAPLES beginning 70 rejuvenate with
the rise and flow OF sap through their
trunks, and out in the pasture, just
then turning family to green. young
colts frolicked and raced beside their
mothers. Life and love were unfolding
from a single bud.
Then, on a night, when Henry
came the weather was warm. He
called to them through an open win
dow as he passed and, hurrying around
| to a side door, he entered the dining
| room, where the mother and daughter
sat. Mrs. Farnam remained with the
| couple only short time, when, with
out pretext, she withdrew to the front
| porch.
She was gazing absently into the
east, where the moon was rising,
! and giving only half attentive ear
to the medley of insect voices just
then awakening, when she was star
tied. not q half hour after she had
found her seat, by the sudden appear.
| ance of Rosie, who rushed to her side
and whispered breathlessly In her
ear.
ooh, mama, mama" the girl ex-
| claimed in subdued tones, Il just know
Henry is going to propose! What
shall I do?"
DO! Why, I thought you wanted
him to propose"
mo; I DON'T don't-not since you
told me-" she cried, almost on the
verge OF tears.
well, daughter, what's caused you
to think all this? Did he say"
HE said he wanted to see you. l
know be wants to ask if he can pro-
pose"
"How silly" interposed the mother,
with q laugh not wholly natural.
"Ch, he said he wanted to see you
alone-that he must see you-that lie
couldn't stand It any longer-that-"
at? Stand what, dear?'
ooh, maEia, do go in-do! And tell
him that he must not propose to me,
any more, and that I'm going to be an
old maid, and that"
Don't worry yourself so, little girl
its nothing!" enjoined the mother,
as she arose.
Rosie, LEFT alone, for time grew
more excited. Then, as the minutes
passed and her mother did not re-
turn. her agitation began to pass
away, and gradually she became cain.
Suddenly she leaDed upright from her
chair, at the prompting Of a bold
thought.
Why shouldn't she hear what was
being said between Henry and her
mother? tt concerned her.
She crept lightly into the Halfway
and through the parlor, toward he
folding doors that separated it from
The dining room. The doors were .
foot or two apart, and over them vas
hung a curtain. Screened within It's
folds, she stood in an attitude Of lis.
tening.
At he frs she distinguished no
word or sound. Then, there came 20
her cars low, suppressed sob, that
OF g woman's. Could her mother De
.rying? And why. Then, a voice
-Icnrys.
It's you, Mrs. Farnam-Mary, is
-ou love-it's you, you l have III
ways loved. There-don't Cry. DO
look Up and tell me"
But Rosie could restrain herself no
longer. Tearing the curtains apart,
she burst into the room. Between Ger
cries and tears and half hysterical
laughter, she rushed to them. and, IN
an effort to gather the two within / 2r
arms, embraced both, exclaiming:
OF course, Henry, she loves you
OF course she does; she always cid
and always will. And now, mamH,"
with little shout OF delight, 81 know
how they do. and what they say, AID
low they act, and-Tm goose!"
Downright, 1912. b. the Mcclure News-
paper Syndicate)
The Vicious Circle.
ADropos of the rise in meat prices,