Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1916-11-28
:MR. WHlTMAN'S PROPOSAL:
BY ANNETTE FOWLER.

k-A-Ne-crA-A-<-AA-Asa-AuAA -a-S-As>t-A-N~A->NA
James Whitman opened and shut
the top drawer of his mahogany desk
and ratified busily among the pens and
paraphernRlia on top.
Miss Hcmphill - The curt STAG
cato of his voice was II anything lit
tie sharper than usual
"Yes, Mr.. Whitman" Margaret
stopped tipping instantly and instinc-
lively reached for her pencil.
"One more letter before l leave,
please"
''Yes, Mr.. Whitman" She came over
and sat down in the chair beside his
desk, her notebook ready for dicta-
ton.
Mr.. Whitman opened the drawer
again, looked intently within and shut
1t. He may have been searching for
inspiration. Whether he found II or
not, he cleared his throat and began:
my dear Miss Blank" Margaret
waited, for Mr.. Whitman had stopped.
81 suppose it's a little unusual to
have a letter of this kind typewrit-
ten," ne explained, but the lady Is a
very sensible person and matter OF
fact enough to see no reason why
proposal of marriage should be any
different from any other business
proposition"
do you think marriage Is q busi-
ness propositionT she asked.
"Yes, certainly 1t is. What else is
II but for two contracting parties to
enter into a partnership where each
puts in capital of some sort to help
the firm alOng?"
"Since you put it that way 1t is"
said Margaret. Then she added, But
Ii isn't exactly my idea of matri-
mony."
He eyed her sharply. isn't it?"
"Shall / go on with the dictationP'
! was her only comment.
"Yes, please. My dear Miss Blank
L have been very closely associated
with you now for several years and in
that time 1 have assured myself that
YOU are possessed of all the admirable
! characteristics that make an ideal
wife. ON the other hand, l flatter my
/ self that the things / have to offer
| the woman who consents to be my life
| companion are not to be despised, and
! 1 hope you will look favOrably on my
| sult. for entertain deep affection
| for YOU. Miss Blank, and hereby hum
bly, offer you my heart and hand
which / sincerely hope you will ac'
J cept. am yours most cordially,
JAMES WHITMAN"
A palc pink flush had mounted Mar
| garet's cheeks and there was pecu'
liar twitching of the mouth that she
could not control. Mr.. Whitman's keen
eve caught her perturbation and he re-
joiced inwardly at the result OF ms
missive upon his usually Unconditional
stenographer.
Copy it off for me right away, then
please, and I'll mail II on my way
home" And her employer, looking out
of the window and seeing his car al
the curb, retired to wash of some OF
the office CRIME before leaving.
The door of the outer office burs
open and u young man rushed In.
Hello, Margle. where's the bossT
ssh! He'll be back in minute
Bob. I've something rich to tell you
Mercy You mustn't do that here
tor Bob had tlptoed over, tilted bacl
her head and kissed her boldly on th'
lips.
Here and anywhere, dear old girl
Say, Marg. I've come to see about
raise. The old mans got TO hand 1
over, that's all. I've just about conn
to thg conclusion that I'm not going e
wait any longer
SSH" admonished Margaret agaiI
az a footstep sounded outside.
"Mr. Whitman" began Bob, nerv
ously, his courage suddenly oozing a
the sight of the heavy-set face of hi
employer, II came to see II yo'
couldn't give me little more money
You see. I've been here five years am
think my services are worth NOR
now than they here at first don
your esq s
..Hs. ! don't once clerks are q