The Lamar register., 1920-04-28
REBECCA PROPOSES
BY GRACE o. wEATHERsY.

Nut spoiesS llttle Kitchen OF HeDecCd
Hollis, a 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.
lhgs postmaster, and as nice a man
as any woman could wish for. Becky
knew he thought a great deal of her,
as he was a 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
fience 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 speakr
Suddenly .he ancient chair came to
an abrupt standstill. and Its occupants
back Strengthened.
'The very thingi" she calculated.
ut never dawned on me that this was
leap yeari 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 n
dainty supper, remembering the old
saying that the quickest way to Il
mans heart was through his stomach
Promptly at seven Ben knocked ut
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 a
little cry of gladness Becky buried her
face In the fragrant mass, and her
eyes nlled 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 dellberation 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 coy sit
ting room. After n moments silence,
Ben sald: Becky. you had something
special to say TO me tonight. didn't
youi"
The rch color flooded Becky's
cheeks. but Ben did not notice It.
why, yes, Ben, ! did. l wanted to
ask you II you =" she coughed
and fell silent The leap year pro-
posal wasn't easy. Ben rose and took
. chair nearer.
II suppose 1t is downright impor-
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, 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 1t is. too. and
Tn going to tenr down the shack that's
on the place now and build one OF
them bungalows-you know. long,
low, ramblin' kind OF a house" lie
paused and glanced at Becky's averted
face. "Well, and so 1 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' IL you'd care TO go
along and sort OF help me out. Women
have pretty good Ideas on this sub.
jaet. Want to gof"
Becky faced him. her brown eyes
very near tears Of vexation. He hadn't
proposed. after all
"wsllT said Ben. with aspsrity.