Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-06-25
REBECCA PROPOSES
BY GRACE o. wEArHERsY.



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 10 take
with Ben Abbott. Ben was the vii
tage postmaster, and as nice a man
as any woman could wish for. Becky
knew he thought a 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
hence was sorely tried.
II declare, Ben makes me tired; he
hasn't enough gumption to kill a flea.
let alone make love to woman How
ever can / make him speak?"
Suddenly the ancient chair came to
an abrupt standstill, and its occupants
back Strengthened
The very thingT she calculated.
ut 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 a
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 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 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 moments silence,
Ben said: Becky, you had something
special to say to me tonight. didn't
yOuY
The rich color flooded Becky's
cheeks, but Ben did not notice 1t.
"Why, yes, Ben, did. I wanted to
ask you If you :" she coughed
and fell silent. The leap year pro-
posal wasn't easy. Zen rose and took
a 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 1 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 "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, long,
low, rambln' kind Of house. He
paused and glanced at Becky's averted
face. well, and so | 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
Tor, and how big to make the kitchen,
and I was wonderin if you'd care to go
along and sort of help me out. Women
have pretty goOd ideas on this SUBJ
ject. Want to go?"
Becky faced him, her brown eyes
very near tears of vexation. He hadn't
proposed, after all
"Well?" said Ben, with asperity.
what do you say?"
why, of course, Ben" she stam-
mered, It'd love to CO."
"All right then, I'll call for you at
2 80 tomorrow"
Then silence fell. The clock
struck nine with tantalizing delibera-
ton. Becky wanted to throw herself
down on he 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, ms per her usual custom,
went for his hat and coat, and as she
handed them to him the man flung