The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-06-10
THE QUESTION
BY MARY POWER.


II was the impatient Jingle of bells
without that caused Aubrey TO hasten
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.
Wen have TO hurry. Ken" she i'd
vised, tucking the robe about her. -Tve
exactly ten minutes"
swell. II 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--we forgotten my notes
no, l haven't, either" evidently re-
lleved
HIN" Kenneth east scornful
glance at the trlg figure beside him.
whats the subject this afternoon, So
! cialism, woman suffrage, or--or-bet-
ter bablesT he grlnned.
Aubrey flushed '"rhe eternal ques-
ton--Should Woman Propose-Cho
the Mate Rather"
Kenneth gave n prolonged whistle.
Going TO take advantage OF leap
year. eh?' he chuckled "You're-af-
firmativef"
Aubrey shook her head. 'No real
lady proposes" acidly.
Huh, nine-tenths OF 'em do" vouch-
snfed Kenneth. THAT is. subtly."
Aubrey flashed him look of wither.
Ing scorn. zone couldn't expect you
a mere child-to understand" she said
frigidly.
The mere child" grlnned.
II promised to call ut Ellen Colby's."
said Aubrey; mind you're back In
time"
moment later they stopped at the
headquarters OF the Girls club. En-.
terIng, Aubrey swept down the aisle
end daintily took her place on the
platform.
The debate was success. Aubrey's
opponent, a fair-haired languId girl OF
twenty. expoundcd her views on the
eternal question" IN well couched Ian
gunge. Aubrey, on the other hand.
took the house by storm when. In con-
Guiding her remarks. she said. with
flushed cheek and sparkling eye:
mo girl with an ounce Of dignity In
her makeup could. with honor. ask q
man TO marry her" And then, thrill
ingly:
Our grandmothers couldn't. our
dear rnothers wouldn't I-you-we--
oh !" spirltedly. at shouldn't be done r.
Kenneth ensconced In a rear seat,
was interested In spite OF himself. He
could not resist one last sarcastic fling.
however as he dropped Aubrey at El-
len Colbys door.
II say. Aubrey" he cautioned.
"hadn't you better give Ellen a bit OF
advice? She and Floyd have been
courting for ages. They say he hasn't
ever mentioned marriage II you don't
watch out she'll upset your pet tradi-
tlon by proposing herself. Times
ripe" he added malIciously. "SeeIng
she's Rogers sister, you should" he
shot a meaning glance at her and drove
away
Ascending the stairs TO the Colby
fat Aubrey frowned. cogltating on
Kenneth's lnsInuations.
Dear" Ellen was saying, her voice
all queer and trembly-llke, III Roger
and Aubrey get married this year. I'll
go to you at Christmastide. should
like to be Christmas bride"
Aubrey waited no longer. but stole
quietly away, queer little ache In her
throat. II 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 her wraps aside. she
tiptoed to the hall portleres and pulled
them together
Roger" she called, softly. and as
he came eagerly forward. II want to
ask you somethlng--no. please stay
there on the other side OF the por-
there's. For one breath-iaking instant
she paused, then:
"Roger. do you love me-heapsT
TREMENDOUSLY.
"Why, Aubrey. OF course-heaps and
heaps and" Rogers hands. fumbling
there on the other side OF the portieres.
suddenly thrust themselves through.
"Roger, has II ever occurred to you
that Ellen and Floyd-might be walt
! ing-for us-to-to--couldn't we--at
Easter, perhaps" breathessly. blush
! Ing furiously there In the darkness In
/ spite Of herself.
Aubrey" he said sternly. 'are you
-joking?"
"Why. no." Aubrey laughed bit
shakily. I'm merely taking advantage
OF the season." glibly. And then, eter-
nal feminine all over, she gave little
dry sob and hid her burning face
against his shoulder. From there. shy
iy: Maybe Ellen and Floyd could plan
on Christmas II we-Mercy !" as low
chuckle from beyond the portleres
smote the mir.
"Yes it's Ken" said Roger. dryly.
'He was doing when you came In.
But catch him TO miss anything" he
grOwled. Aubrey darted forward and