Gilpin observer., 1920-06-03
THE QUESTION
BY MARY POWER.


with the final touches to her toilette A
moment later she emerged from the
house and swung her 1.-THE young body
into the sleigh beside her brother.
We'll have to hurry. Ken" she ad-
vised, tucking the robe about her. i've
exactly ten minutes"
well. If you don't take the cake" he
sputtered here I've been waiting"
"Please. Kenneth, don't scold."
wheedled Aubrey. Gracious I" in sur
den alarm. 1've forgotten my notes
no, haven't, EITHER" evidently re-
lieved
Him ~ Kenneth cast scornful
glance at the trig figure beside him.
"What's the subject this afternoon. so
cialism, woman suffrage, oT-or-bet-
ter babies?" he grinned
Aubrey flushed "The eternal Ques-
tion-'Should Woman Propose-Choose
the Mate Rather"
Kenneth gave prolonged whistle.
"Going to take advantage of leap
year, eh?" he chuckled. "Youre-af-
firmative?"
Aubrey shook her head "No real
lady proposes" acidly.
"Huh, nine-tent,s of 'em do" vouch-
safed Kenneth. '-rhat is. subtly."
e.. Aubrey flashed Aim a look of wither-
ing scorn. "One couldn't expect you-
mere child-to understand" she said
frigIdly.
The mere child" grinned
81 promised to ,nll mt Ellen Colby's,"
said Aubrey; mind you're back In
time"
A moment later they stopped at the
headquarters OF The Girls club. En-
tering, Aubrey swept down the aisle
and daintlly took her place on the
platform.
opponent, fairhaired languid girl of
twenty, expounded her views on the
eternal question In WEI. couched Ian
guage. Aubrey. OH the other hand.
took the house by storm when. In con-
Guiding her remarks, she said. with
flushed chee. ana sparkling eye:
"NO girl with IN ounce of dignity In
her makeup could. with honor. ask
man to marry he.." And then. thrill
ingly:
"Our graDdmothers couldn't. our
dear mothers wouldn't. !-yOu--we-
oh !" spiritedly, al shouldn't be done!"
Kenneth. ensconced in rear seat.
was interested In spite of himself. He
could not resist one last sarcastic ding,
however as he dsopped Aubrey at Ell
len Colby's door.
"I say. Aubrey" he cautioned.
hadn't you better give Ellen a bit Of
advice? She ard Floyd have been
courting for ages They say he hasn't
ever mentioned marriage. I: you don't
watch out shell upset your pet tradi-
ton by propo sing herself. Times
ripe" he added maliciously. "Seeing
she's Rogers sister. you should" he
shot meaning ,lance at ner aud drove
away.
Ascending the stairs to the Colby
fiat Aubrey frcwned. cogitating on
Kenneth's institutions.
Dear" Ellen %as saying, her voice
all queer and tr"mbly-like. "if Roger
and Aubrey get married this year. I'll
go to you at Chr.stmastide. should
like to be a Christmas bride"
Aubrey waited no longer. kut stole
quietly away. queer little acle In her
throat. 1t was twilight when she
stumbled over her own threshold. The
fragrant odor of cigar told her Roger
was there ahead OF her smoking in the
dark. Roger often waited for her like
that. Throwing hsr wraps aside. she
tipsoed to the hall liortieres and pulled
them together"
Roger" she cnl'ed. softly, and as
he came eagerly Toward. 81 want to
ask you something g-no. please stay
there on the other side of the por-
there's. For one bre>iihtaking Instant
she paused, then:
Roger. do you ,ove me-heapsF
tremulouSly.
"Why. Aubrey. OF 'ourse-heaps and
heaps and" Rogers hands. fumbling
there on the other side OF the portieres.
suddenly thrust themselves through.
"Roger. has 1t ever occurred to you
that Ellen and Floyd-might be wait
ing-for us-to-t0-couldnt we-at
Easter, perhaps" hreathlessly. blush
Ing furiously there IN the darkness In
| spite OF herself. I..
aubrey he said stern'y, "are you
-joking?'
"Why. no." Aubrey laughed n bit
shakily. "rm mere'y taking advantage
OF the season." gllbly. And then. eter-
nal feminine all over. she gave little
dry sob and hid her burning face
against his shoulder. From there. shy
ly: maybe Ellen a.1 Floyd could plan
on Christmas IL we--Mercy !" as Il low
chuckle from beyond the portleres
smote the air.
"Yes It's Ken" nd Roger. dryly.
"He was dozlng when you came In.
But catch him to miss anything" he
growled; Aubrey larted forward and
switched on the lights.