The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-04-15
REBECCA PROPOSES.
BY GRACE o. WEATHERBY.
%. 1920. BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

/
The late aftcrsoon 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 it's 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 viii
lage postmaster, and as nice man
as any woman could wish for Becky
knew he thought great deal of her,
as he was frequent visitor, and al
| ways brought a gift Of some kind with
him-but Ben was bashful. Night after
| night he would sit there, silent, :peHv-
| ously twisting his fingers, trying to
| ind something to say. Beckys pa
thence was sorely tried.
II 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 it's occupants
back Strengthened. .
1.-THE very thing!" she calculated.
| 1T never dawned on me that this was
leap year! I'll ask him myself!"
She went to the telephone and called
Ben. Come over to supper tonight,
Ben. want to ask you about some
thing. Yes, at seven will do. :.
All right, by"
With beating heart she planned a
dainty supper, remembering the old
saying that the quickest way to
mans heart was through his stomach.
Promptly at seven Ben knocked at
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
face 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 Vas 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
you" w.. 49,. .
| The rich color flooded Becky's
cheeks, but Ben did not notice it.
"Why, yes, Ben, I did. 1 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.
II suppose it is downright impor7>
tant, or you wouldn't have asked me
up here"tonight, but was coming, any,
how, for I've something 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, land then
you can tell We what's troubling you"
Becky nodded. e"You know, Becky, my
term as postmaster runs out next
month, and I'm going to quit the Job:
I've bought farm out on the Weston
road, a 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 bungalQWs-you know, long,
| low, ramblin' kind Of a house," He
paused and glanced at Becky's averted
face swell, and so L 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 was wonderin' if you'd care to go
along and sort Of help me out. Women
have pretty good ideas on this SUBJ
iect. Want to go?"
J Becky faced him, her brown eyes
very near tears Of vexation. He hadn't
proposed, after all
"Wen?" said Ben, with asperity.
"What do you say?'
"Why, of course, Ben," she STAN
mered, It'd love to go.''
Cali right then, I'll call, for you at
9 90 tOnoOrro1C
Then a silence fell. The clock
struck nine with \tantalizing delibera.
ton. Becky wanted to throw herself
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. I won't
bother you with it tonight"
Another silence; Ben arose. "Well
l 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
them aside with an exclamation ant
l caught Becky in his arms.
II "DOn't look So Becky: YOU know