Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-16
THE DAILY STORY
BORDMAN PROPOSES

mittce meeting and we need you for the
quorum" and with that Margaret with
a word of apology left Bordman with the
words Of his anticipated proposal on his
tongues end.
Bordman waited half an hour aud then
] Margaret returned to say that it was din
ner hour and that as II was against the
rules Of the dOrmitory TO he late to uiu
ner she would have to leave him. lie
suggested that she come with him TO his
hotel for dinner, but when Margaret cX-
planned that this could be done only with
the intrusion of woman instructor as
chaperon. Bordman did not urge her.
After dinner he reached Margaret on
the telephone. when may ! see yOu?''
he asked. 81 have to leave here tomor-
row morning at and it may he months
before | can make another trip to the
States"
Margaret considered. 81 have a play re-
hcarsal for the senior frolic' tonight at
$50; that will last till o. The lights are
out in the reception hall at $3.50. | can
see YOU for a nalf hour then"
Borlman arrived at five minutes befor"
the appointed hour and Margaret arrived
10 minutes late hot and excited from
her rehearsal. First of all, she had to
explain what a scnior frolc was and
then she had to tell EUrdman the de-
tails of the play. She had just finished
the last detail of the last act and Bord-
man had mustered mp courage to inter
rupt her before she began on any other
explanations"
You know how fond | am of YOU" lie
began. II hHvc told yuu-"
Just then there was an earspltting
sound Of gong throughout the building.
Margaret ran from the room, with Bord
man following after. Then as the bell
sounded again ne heard from all direc-
tions scurryinE feet and mutlled sounds
.g..g. l.. Nf,UD DTFNtA
In the confusion. Then came the deluge
girls in bathrOhcs, girls with flowing
locks. hair brushes in hand-collarless,
shoelcss and still more girls pouring IN
hurried ranks from every side. Bordman
could neither smell nor see the smoke
but he had for q moment clear vision
of what mis- duty was, lie would step
forward ana with military dignity lead
the scattered thrOng of girls to safety.
Then, at the risk of his own life, II need
be- he would return to the flaming build
ing-it would be In flames by that time'
he thought-and search the building to
see that no one mad been left
Even while Bordman was making these
plans they had marched past him IN
orderly rank. Where is the fire. ne
asked. "DId 1t start urstairs?"
''This Is the weekly fire drill" answered
the girl sweetly.
Bordman withdrew to the reception
room TO think it over. lie heard the girls
returning to the building and then heard
them file upstairs. The clock struck e;@O
and the lights, all hut for low light in
the hall. went suddenly out. Then In
minute a figure crept into the reception
room in the darkness-shoeless, so as not
to be heard II was Margaret, and she
Crept up TO his side with all tho old con-
fidence she mad shown ON the steamer.
"That fire drill interrupted u.s." she said.
1--WE never know when 1t is going off,
SO / thought l would come back, even II
IL Is breaking rules. ! Will tell you all
about the fire drills, If you can wait"
Don't yOu dare star. 1t again." Bord-
man said frantically. "T have been try
ing for 30 hours to ask YOU TO marry me.
l have to leave here tomorrow early and
l can't so till ! know my fate"
"Do you really mean that you want to
be engaged to me?'' gasped Margaret. II
thought you must have decided not to.
But you English men are so deliberate.
Yes, of course | will say yes"
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