The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-03-07
Unique
Proposal
By r. A. MITCHELL

ing South TO avoid the cold weather.
He was blase at twenty-five. She was
romantic as every girl Of twenty should
be. Indeed II is questionable IL wom-
en- ever lose their romance.
"Do you see that rock out theref"
she asked.
"Yes, what Of IT."
at is called lovers rock. There is
tradition that II man proposes to
a girl out there she can't refuse him."
"You mean when the tide is coming
in and she is cut off from shore; she
can't swim; and the fellow won't save
her unless she will agree to marry
him."
How you talkl II isn't that at all.
There's some spell that is thrown over
the girl which draws her to the man."
IL didn't know girls were moved to
love on a barren place like a whales
back. thought the way TO win them
was amid music and flowers"
Eyes, but can understand how be-
ing under a spell might compel girl
to yield on n barren rock like that,
when moonlight, music and flowers
would fail"
81 think would be most easily in
duced 70 propose TO girl after a
good dinner"
II fear that in your brain where the
bump Of romance should be there Is
fiat place."
Rather hollow. However suppose
we go out on the lovers rock, and see
what will happen"
There was no reply to this. She
sat gazing out TO sea, evidently des-
pairing Of being able to touch chord
Of romance In him. or rather regretting
that such a chord did not exist.
"Come," he added rising. I'm curl
Gus to know If I will be compelled to
propose to you II we go out together
to the rock"
"That isn't It at all. II isn't that the
man is impelled TO propose to the girl.
It's that If he does, she is impelled
by some strange influence to accept
him."
"Well, let's try II anyway"
He put out his hand and helped her
to rise from her seat on the sand, and
led her to rowboat moored to a
floating platform leading out into the
water She got into the boat without
saying a word and he pulled over a
hundred yards Of shallow water to the
rock. There he coiled the painter
around stone and they went to that
side of the rock facing the ocean. They
had only to take few steps, for the
tide which was rising left uncovered
no great space. They sat down side
by side.
81 feel It coming" he said present.
ly.
whats comlngT
'The SPELL"
"Nonsense."
"Do you feel itT
"Feel whatf
"a desire to have me propose to
you"
didn't tell you that IL the man"
"Yes, yes, but is a man going to
propose TO a girl In cold bloodf Is
| there no love current between themf
My opinion is that II there is any
thing in this rock forcing the man to
propose, the girl has as much to do
with II as he"
"Not at ALL The tradition Is SIM
ply
'That a woman is obliged to accepta
proposal. But"
"Well?"
"Great heavensi There goss our
boat"
The rising tide had unloosened the
painter and was carrying the boat
away. There would be no use In try
ing to regain II by swimming, for II
was even now further from the rock
than was the shore, and II was reced-
ing rapidly. Looking about them they
saw that the rock was nearly covered
with water.
"while we have been talking" he
said, "the tide has cut us or from
shore"
"what shall we dor cried the girl
much frightened.
"we haven't tested the proposal
matter yeti"
"Don't talk nonsensei Our lives are
at stake" I
II don't believe you have any ro-
nance in you after ALL"
"Come, come; how are we to get
ashorer
They were far from their hotel or
any house. Indeed there was no one
near TO render them assistance. Be-
sides the twilight was fading. He took
her hand and said.
81 think l am going to-
"Heavensi Don't faint"
Propose"
"Are you crazyT
"No, am under the influence Of the
SPELL"
She had by this time lost her self
control, and although she could not
swim, marched out into the water.
hoping that she could wade ashore. II
was nowhere over her head. but so
deep at once place as to reach her
shoulders. She feared 10 proceed.
"Helpi" she called 10 him.
II love you; will you marry mer
"No."
Taking her by the arm he assisted
her to the shore. They reached II drip