The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-04-24
AN ABRUPT PROPOSAL
BY MARY D. ARNorT.

| esoeeD
friendship. Laughter mingled with the
clink OF punch cups % the twelve
guests arose To toast their genial hos
tess. and to wish her bon voyage on
her prospective trip to the continent
There was Z tremor in her voice a
Mrs. Thomas responded to the kindly
wishes Of her guesta Honeymoon
House had In turn harbored four Of
the couples during the embarkation
onto the sea Of matrimony. Being
childless herself Mn. Smith took %.
pecial interest in young people who
were making their own way in life.
James eutcM3e arose. ''To the next
couple vhQ occupy Honeymoon
Housel" he said.
There waa . hearty response and Z
burst of msrrlment - Ill eyes cen.
tered on the speaker. Out Of the laugh.
tse the hostS voice arose.
Its up 70 you and Reta-yop are
The only slisibles TOT ths position.
b toasted with eyes that embraced q
discounted couple.
A blank jook cams into Rsta II.
lots faeo - ~ glanced at xr
ThomaA
"Yoa know tssy WI TsA that
Jimmy euteli1s md ! afs II to busy
IN our individual pursuits t. 6tttftain
~ thoasht ef nstrimo1y." 6kt
smiled half wistfully at big Jim. "You
seN Jlm'S pleasure and mine, n
Hoosymoon House. preceded that Of
nv q yoa An interior decorator and
- architect ere apt 70 look upoa the
output of their brains @ oomethins
infinitely beautiful Jim aad love
every nook and granny b this housA
bat & y not . necessity that ~ MAJ.
ry-lA order % enjoy Il"
4 shadow fitted into tho syoo q
The hostess.
7 an sorry: n view Of your tond.
ness for the place, 70 ten you that
this may b your farewell Witt -
Honeymoon House." che said.
Mn. Thomas continued without
awaiting the protests which she knew
were on every lip.
"Yes-it Is . fact Tho first couple
to marry before my trip abroad q 70
have Il for . wedding present"
WHAT" exclaimed sutcii3A "you
aso going to give II awayr
Mn. Thomas nodded.
For keeps!" questioned Heta.
The hostess nodded more smpAa&4
cally.
"Yss. 70 tell yon tho truth an
. bit tired Of journeying into ths
mountains every year. I have decid-
ID 70 give II 70 some Of my friends
who win appreciate it, beauty. and
who will take good care Of Il know
at least three possible tenants. They
win no doubt oil Jump ct the o6ss."
An ominous silence fell upon tho
group. Honeymoon House held mem
ories Of many happy yesterdays that
were b b no part OF the tomorrows.
Unconsciously. Reta and Jim had
sought each others eyes. 4 looh Of
pain drew them into closer under.
sanding.
"Rsta and I are responsible for all |
~ beauty" thought jim.
IT 10 ours" thought Reta, and . |
tear felt strangely near her lashss,
Faith Thomas has no right TO give |
Il away!" She cast . resentful glance |
q her hostess.
4rA Thomas caught the glance and |
Ito meaning. She laughinsly retorted:
know what 10 in your mind, Ret&
but you have % good . chance Of hin.
aiug the house - anyone"
Retas voice was not altogether
steady 40 she answered: THAT
wouldn't do Jimmy any good. and -
loves the house % much % d."
The hosts voice. half laughing and
half earnest Joined the discussion.
Uhder tho trying circumstances
Why not make this . marriage OF con.
venience. The house 10. fortunately.
of . rambling temperament Jim
might occupy the east ramble and
Reta the west Also tho room intend.
ID for q Aursery could be converted
into . second dining-room. That IT,"
10 continued In raillery, ''providing
vou cannot agree to dine together"
~redl" admonished Mrs. Thomas.
Can't you see that you are embaF.
'aSsing our guests!" |,
From out the merriment Jim's voice
inally found itself. No one observed
he strained muscles about his mouth
lor the hardness Of his tone q he ID.
lressed Reta.
"welHReta-how does Ted's Nea
tribe you?" \
A breathless silence followed Jim's
Ibrupt proposal. A stirring Of sym
'atAy swept over the feminine ele. I
neat |,
Reta cast an indignant glance at
I'm. Rising swiftly she left the room
Without . backward giance. /
The hosts face fell - he watched !
he retrsating figure. He turned
pologstieally toward Satclina Z an
'fraid ~ ars In bad" 10 said. re
, ~ b you to square us."
But Jim had not heard. Already ho I
- A. A