Gilpin observer., 1918-01-03
A Unique
Proposal
lcopxrisht. leli. Western Nev.pep.r uaie.. )
By F. A. MITCHELL

he was DlaSe nj twenty-five. Sne was
romantic as every girl Of twenty should
be. Indeed 1t is questionable II wom-
en- ever lose their romance.
do you see that rock out there"
she asked.
Eyes, what Of 1T"
ut is called lovers rock. There is
tradition that II a man proposes to
a girl out there she can't refuse him."
you mean when the tide Is coming
In and she is cut of from shore; she
can't swim; and the fellow won't save
her unless she will agree to marry
him."
"How you talk It isn't that at all.
There's some spell that is thrown over
the girl which draws her to the man."
II 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 a girl
to yield on a barren rock like that.
when moonlight, music and flowers
would fall"
II think would be most easily in
duced to propose to a girl after a
good dinner"
II fear that in your brain where the
bump Of romance should be there is
u 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 chord did not exist.
"Come," he added rising. I'm curl
Gus to know If will be compelled to
propose to you If we go out together
to the rock"
"That isn't 1t at all. 1t isn't that the
It's that II he does, she is impelled
by some strange influence to accept
| him."
"Well, let's try 1t anyway"
He put out his hand and helped her
| to rise from her seat on the sand, and
| led her to a rowboat moored to
floating platform leading out into the
water. She got into the boat without
saying a word and he pulled over
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 a few steps, for the
tide which was rising left uncovered
no great space. They sat down side
| by side.
II feel 1t coming" he said present.
ly.
"What's coming1"
1.-THE SPELL"
Nonsense"
"Do you feel itf"
Feel whatf'
"A desire to have me propose to
you"
"Didn't tell you that II the man.
Eyes, yes, but is a man going tc
propose to a girl in cold blood? 1k
there no love current between themi
My opinion is that II there is any.
thing In this rock forcing the man to
propose, the girl has as much to dc
with 1t as he"
"Not at all. The tradition is sim.
ply"
"That woman is obliged to accept
proposal. But"
"Well?"
"Great heavens! There goes 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 1t by swimming, for 1t
was even now further from the rock
than was the shore, and 1t 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 OF from
shore"
"What shall we dol" cried the girl
much frightened.
1--WE haven't tested the proposal
matter yeti"
"Don't talk nonsensei Our lives are
at stake"
II don't believe you have any TO
nance in you after ALL"
"Come, come; how are we to get
ashoreT
They were fur from their hotel
any house. Indeed there was no
near to render them assistance.
sides the twilight was fading. He to1
her hand and said:
~ think am going to"
"Heavens! Don't faint"
propose"
"Are you crazyr
"No. am under the influence Of tn.
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 %
deep at once place as to reach her