The Press., 1916-07-27
A LEAP YEAR
 PROPOSAL
By ELINOR MARSH

When 1 was a girl of twelve my mother made a will leaving me all her property and naming Nathan Griggs my guardian.
 Mother died when 1 was sixteen years old, and by the terms of the will l was to have possession of my estate when I was eighteen. This left 1t in Nathan's hands two years after her death.
 Now, the truth is, from the time was fourteen had decided fancy for Nathan. I looked upon him as a big brother and in my day dreams of the future thought Of him as something nearer. I early passed beyond boys of my own age, which l suppose came partly from the fact that, my father having died when was baby and my mother being early accustomed to rely upon me for many things that are not usually left to children, became older in experience than l was in years.
 Be this as it may, by the time be. came of age and my property was to be turned over to me l had made up my mind that I wanted Nathan too. AS to taking care of my estate myself, l had sense enough to know that I was entirely incompetent.
 also had sufficient feminine instinct to discern that Nathan had decided fancy for me. But the main reason why mother had made him my guard ian and one of the reasons why I wanted him-his integrity-stood in the way of my having him. It was evident to me that he considered me a hduciary trust. He was so sensitive to his hon or that I believed he would consider 1t a crime for him to become possessed of my fortune even by marrying me.
 What was I to do? I couldn't very well offer myself 10 him. Possibly if had been nearer his age might have found way to propose to him with out sacrificing too much of my maid enly modesty, but when was eighteen he was thirty-one. It might have been easier had been sure that he wanted me. But how can girl know that a man wants her till he asks herr
 One day in looking over mothers papers I came upon a letter she had l WLlAICh " lhy hubAy btL bhsNtAt th1N had been returned to me after moth CTS death. In it she said: "I have made will in Luella's favor and have made Nathan Griggs executor and guardian. I have done this hoping that he will continue managing her es- tate as her husband. I have said noth- ing of this, however, to either of them, for in such cases the surest way to defeat a design is to try to bring it about. rather rely on my observa. ton that they fancy each other."
 I spent a long while thinking out a plan by which to use this letter to overcome Nathans scruples. Gather | ing some business letters that found to and from mother and placing this letter have mentioned among them, I sent them to Nathan with a note fin which suggested that they might be of importance to the estate and that | it might be we'll for him to look them over carefully.
 What did he do but return them to carefully and they were of no impor- tance in a business wayi
 was no nearer my object than be- fore.
 We'll, the day arrived when I was eighteen, and Nathan came to turn over my property to me. 1t had be- come evident to me that if I wished to break down his scruples I must throw argument to the winds and use feminine methods. He spread a lot of papers on a table, and we sat down side by side that he might instruct me. I was not thinking of the papers or the instructions; was thinking of something far nearer my heart.
 The more he explained the less I un. derstood. I kept hitching my chair nearer to his till we could be no near CT. Then, pretending that the figures were so minute had difficulty fin sec ing them, I leaned sidewise till my shoulder touched Nathan's. In this way I crowded him to the outer edge of his chair, and he could not move farther. My hair was done in a tumul tuous fashion, and a loose strand grazed his cheek.
 He went on explaining, but it did not take me long to see that his mind was no more on the papers than was mine. At last I succeeded in grazing his cheek with mine.
 He broke down at this and went all to pieces. Putting his arms around me, he kissed me and said:
 'Luella, when you sent me those let ters of your mothers you unfntention- ally included one that expressed a de- sire on her part that should continue the care of your estate as your hus- band. I have loved you ever since you were a little girl and might have told you so before this had not your mother turned you and your fortune over to me in trust It has not seemed honorable to me to--
 "Yes, know all that" interrupted, impatient at having to draw him out. You have been very unjust and very stupid. You have wished to turn this estate over to me, knowing that I can't manage it. You should be ashamed of yourself"
 "Well, sweetheart l didn't intend that But wasn't it fortunate that you happened to include that letter.
 'sYes. If I hadn't been careless I suppose would have died an old maid for all you cared"
 This proposal and acceptance are not in accord with the romance cf such