The bee., 1914-11-17
Proposal
Under Difficulties
By & A. MICHEL

Dick Thurston and Emily Swift be
came engaged one night during thun-
derstorm. Emily was nearly frighten-
ed to death and didn't know what
Dick, who wasn't afraid Of thunder.
was talking about. When the storm
had passed Dick said to her or. rather,
began to say to her:
sweetheart
by what right do you call me sweet
heartT"
by the right Of possession. Have
you not promised to marry meT"
II promise to marry you! When did
do that?"
mot ten minutes ago"
You don't mean to say that you
were so crazy as to talk of love with
those frightful bolts striking all about
usT
"Why not? We were in no. more
danger than we are at all times How
do we know when we cross n street
but that an automobile may knock Us
into eternity? AT any minute ones
heart may stop beating, ones
"Stop."
Dick stopped and remained quiet for
some time
"Have you lost your tongueT Emily
said at last.
"You shut me up"
81 did that because you were talk
ing so horribly"
May go onT'
''Of course. IL you wish to-"
'what was I talking aboutY
She turned toward him with glance
that was intended to wither him, but
said nothing.
"Oh. | remember; we were talking
about the storm. 1t was a hummer.
wasn't it?"
There was no rejoinder.
'That bolt when the fash and the
thunder came together must have
struck something"
The young lady pouted. but said
nothing. She was lingering an orna-
ment suspended from gold chain
about her neck.
81 wonder If it killed any one." pur-
sued Dick.
Perhaps it was the fool killer hunt
ing for victim. Maybe that's what
brought II 30 near"
This shut the young man or again.
He looked out through the window.
'See the moon shining nowr' he ex-
claimed THAT'S the finest one ever
saw. The light is brilliant"
The moonshine did not interest her.
She scorned even to look at 1t.
Darling" said Dick. what makes
you 30 crossT
Don't you dare call me dariingr
Got It again right between the eyes.
Do you know. EN-, that I believe that
our engagement. having taken place in
q thunderstorm. win be brimful OF sui
phur."
XVIII you be good enough to explain
TO me what you mean by our engage
mentT
q "weli. like thati propose to a
young lady. The proposition, admit,
b made under tempestuous circum-
stances. Nevertheless she nestles"-
THAT was from fright"
~Nestling Is pretty nice anyway"
"wnl you go onY'
~vergil tells as that Dido and Aeneas
became engaged during thunder
storm"
Il am not Interested in Dido and
Aeneas-"
This was said 90 snappishly that Il
can't Dick back within himself again.
He took refuge In silence.
IF you have nothing more to say TO
me-" Emily finally broke the silence,
II see no reason for our remaining to-
eether any longer. have things
to do"
"You wouldn't leave me. would you,
just after our becoming engaged7
That would be like groom spending
tie honeymoon in North America and
the bride In China"
She rose and was sweeping out of the
room when he called to her:
what do you wish me TO dor
II wish you to- she baked.
Say It all over againY
'If you had spark OF sentiment you
would know what to do"
"Well. while you were sitting close to
me-frightened at the storm. you know
land had my arm around your
waist
Il don't remember that at all"
Certainly not. You were too fright
ened to remember II. When my arm
was around your waist and my ear
close against your ips-I mean my hps
were
''Never mind all that. Go on"
Il said: Don't be frightened. dear.
Remember that you are IN the arms Of
one who M
Another belated clap broke in to spoii
again a tender scene. He had placed
his arm about her waist and held her
hand. She closed her fingers about his.
ss II fearing he would get away.
II a 4