The Marshall republican., 1912-05-31

by Proxy
icopyrisbs. ,0I,. b. Associated Literary rrssS

tall and beautiful, and who was al.
ways dressed in sweeping black
gowns, looked at Kitty severely
through her gold lorgnette.
And you are 20?" she asked.
Men aren't worth botherins
over" said Kitty. Now, there's Rod.
ney Podge. He's the only a who
will be at the dance tonight who ID
really worth while. yet I wouldn't be
afraid TO say that he'll eve pro-
pose"
Aunt Katherine lighted the candles
over the fireplace. II was n OF her
tads to spend the evening by candle
light. Electricity was for the mob.
she said.
why should you carer" she asked.
what Rodney Hodge does7 You are
not in love with him. are your"
Kitty composed herself. Well. you
zee, ! could be in love with him." she
said sagely, II he were mol such q
siam. Hes $3.50 fne, Aunt Kath.
srine."
yes, he is nne." said the older
woman.
Kitty's little face was very grave
pow, and her little hand was laid in
sarnestness OF Miss Severance's knee.
And So" Aunt Katherine finished
for her, as she took the little hand
in her firm clasp, "and SO, my little
Kitty, II you were a man and Rodney
Hodge were a girl. you would ask
Rodney to marry youH"
YES" Kitty whispered.
'"Then-why not ask him any
how" said Aunt Katherine.
Kitty gave her a startled glance.
'wby-Hhrt Katherine" she STAN.
nered. you don't mean"
"It's leap year."
"oh. ! know you were joking"
Kitty's voice had q note OF relief
n II.
She changed the subject after that,
and Kitty went OF to her leap year
lance happily.
Miss Severance sat long by the FIRE,
hen she picked up the receiver OF
he telephone and gave a number.
When the anHwer came. she said: rs
that you, Bronson7 This Is Rather.
Inc Severance. I want to ask you TO
come and see me. Yes, tonight.
Yes-its important. You will? It's
very good Of you. At nine. then?
She paced tho room restlessly. as
she waited. and when her caller came,
. g~ray-haired. stately man, she vel
.omed him -with-a laugh that was
slightly nervous
ITS about Kitty" she said. She
vas seated In q hi~gh-backed chair
which gave her . qucenly dignity. II
Il want to make 4 sort Of leap year
proposal by PROXY. Bronson"
He looked ut her keenly. you
mean Rodney" he asked.
Yes. Kitty likes him and I think
he loves her. He did years ago. Blu,
but hs hasn't asked her to marry
him"
and be will not!- sternly.
why mott"
HE shall not suffer a. I have suf
Tered" Was the quiet answer. You
know how ! staked all my happiness
katherine. on your answsr years ago
and you know, too. that ] lost. ! vii
aot have my boy hurs In hks
fashion"
, "Kitty-is svsstsr than l." sAit
Miss Severance, and ! think shs
sares."
: mo n could Be sveetsr than 20,
we're" the old man turned on hs'
. dercsly, until you learned to brsal
mems hearts"
"And to break my own" sait
Katherine Severance.
Out Of . deep silence he asked
Then you, too. have suRsssAr-
Eyes. DO you remember . leaI
year dance and . girl all IN white
with silver slippers and q rose In he
hair?"
: "You.- he breathed.
!. And she made up her mhsd tina
she would tell the man whom ooce nh
had spurned that she had changed
and-and--that he was the only mai
in the world-for her. But she wa
proud--and--she could not. for b.
gave her no opening--and. after al
she was woman-and n woman Ar
not WOO"
. katherine" he said, and his vote
broke; dear girl. II you bad spoken
; how much of happiness life woui'
. have held for U.S.
: And tonight when Kitty went I
! her leap year dance, all the pas
D 70 led back on me and I wanted he
to be happy with q man like you
|. It is too late now for us--but surel'
they"
He laughed like Q boy. TOO late
Why, how old are you. Kathsriner"
: Forty" (,
"And am nfty-two. And weir
young. dearest. And the world Il b
fore us. DO you think Kitty an
: Rodney are the only ones IN tn
! world who live and lover
He took her hands m~asterfully 4
bis. Look It me. Kate" be sait
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