Ellsworth American., 1920-05-19
REBECCA PROPOSES
BY GRACE o. wEATHERRY.

The late afternoon sun streamed into
the spotless little kitchen of Rebecca
Hollis, spinster, bathing the figure In
the rocking chair In warm light.
Becky as she was more often called.
rocked vigorously back and forth, the
ancient chair sending out its protest in
nerve racking squeaks. But Becky's
thoughts were far away. She was try
Ing to decide just what action to take
with Ben Abbott. Ben was the vii
iage postmaster. and as nice n man
as any woman could wish for. Becky
knew he thought great deal of her,
as he was frequent visitor, and al
ways brought gift of some kind with
him-but Ben was bashful Night after
night he would sit there, silent, nerv.
ously twisting his fingers, trying to
md something to say. Becky's pa
tience was sorely tried.
81 declare, Ben makes me tired: he
hasn't enough gumption to kill flea,
let alone make love to a woman. How
ever can | make him speak?"
Suddenly the ancient chair came to
an abrupt standstill, and its occupants
back Strengthened.
"The very thingr" she circulated.
1T never dawned on me that this was
leap yea-l I'll ask him myself"
She went to the telephone and called
ben. Come over to supper tonight,
Ben. l want to ask you about some.
thing. Yes, at seven will do. d.
All right, by"
With beating heart she planned a
dainty supper, remembering the old
saying that the quickest way to "a
mans heart was through his stomach.
Promptly at seven Ben knocked al
the door, and his gray eyes cleaned
at the sight of Becky in her fresh blue
dress, her cheeks flushed like a girls.
Mutely he offered his roses, white ones,
perfect in their pale beauty With
little cry of gladness Becky buried her
race In the fragrant mass, and her
eyes filled with quick tears, for didn't
white roses mean pure love?
Come on to supper. Ben," she said,
briskly enough.
During the chicken salad and hot
biscuits Ben was very quiet, answer
ing her only in monosyllables, but his
gray eyes spoke volumes. The air
seemed full of suppressed excitement.
After supper Ben wiped the dishes,
with slow deliberation which was so
unlike Becky's quick movements,
Scarcely a word was spoken. Then
with her heart beating fast, Becky led
the way to the fireplace in the cozy sit
ting room. After a moments silence,
Ben said: Becky, you had something
special to say to me tonight, didn't
your"
The rich color flooded Becky's
cheeks, but Ben did not notice IL.
why, yes, Ben. did. I wanted to
ask you If you =" she coughed
and fell silent. The leap year pro-
posal wasn't easy. Ben rose and took
a chair nearer.
Il suppose it Is downright impors
tant. or you wouldn't have asked me
up here tonight, but was coming any
how. for I've something I wanted to
speak TO you about myself"
Now, this was very unlike Ben, and
Becky fairly held her breath.
Perhaps I'd better have my say
first" Ben went on manlike "and then
you can tell we what's troubling you"
Becky nodded. you know, Becky. nv
term as postmaster runs out next
month, and I'm going to quit the Job.
I've bought farm out on the Weston
road, nice little place it is, too, and
I'm going to tear down the shack that's
on the place now and build one of
them bungalOws-you know, n long,
low. ramblin' kind OF a house" He
paused and glanced at Becky's averted
face. well, and so I went down to
Job Patterson's and he says he can
build right away, and I'm looking over
the plans with him tomorrow, YOU
know, deciding where to put the par
lor, and how big to make the kitchen,
and l was wonderin' If you'd care to go
along and sort of help me out. Women
have pretty good ideas on this sub
ject. Want to go?"
Becky faced him, her brown eyes
very near tears of vexatlon. He hadn't
after all
"WellT' said Ben, with asperlty.
What do you sayT"
"Why, of course, Ben" she stam-
mered, I'D love to GO"
"All right then, I'll call for you at
2 80 tomorrow"
Then a silence fell. The cloch
struck nine with tantalizlng delibera.
tion. Becky wanted 70 throvv ha-solf
down on the bed and have a good cry.
What was you wanting to ask me
about, Becky?" asked the man.
"Oh-I-nothing much, Ben. won't
bother You with 1t tonight"
Another silence; Ben arose. Well
must be getting along"
Becky. as per her usual custom,
went for his hat and coat. and as she
handed them to him the man flung