Graham guardian., 1920-12-31
REBECCA PROPOSES
ay GRACE 0. wEArAHssv.

rocked vigorously DacR ana rOrth. th'
sncieHt'chair sending out It's protest IL
nerve racsing squenks. But Becky,
thoughts were far away. She was try
ing to decide just what action to TAKE
with ben Abbott. Ben was the VII
lage postmaster. and as nice mar
as any woman could wish for. Beck,
knew he thought great deal Of her
a. he was a frequent visitor. and al
ways brought gift Of some kind with
him--but Ben was bsshful. Night aftel
night he would sit there, silent, nerv
ously twisting his fingers, trying &c
fnd something to say. Becky's pa
thence was sorely tried.
II declare, Ben makes me tired III
hasn't enough gumption to kill fea
let alone make love to woman. How
ever can I make him speakr'
Suddenly the ancient chair came tC
an abrupt standstill, and its occupants
back Strengthened.
"The very thingl" she calculated
TT never dawned on me that this wa,
leap year! I'll ask him nyseifi"
She went to the telephone and called
Ben. Come over to supper teeight
Ben want to ash POO sbcut serse
thing. Tes, at seven viii e..
All right. by"
With beating heart she planned a
dainty supper, remembering the ole
saying that the quickest way to q
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
Huteiy he offered his roses. white ones,
perfect In their pale beauty. With o
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 no,
biscuits Ben was very quiet, answer.
ing her only In morfcsyllables, bat his
gray eyes spoke volumes. Tho air
seemed full OF suppressed excitement.
After supper Ben wiped the dishes,
with slow deliberation which WAS 90
unlike Becky's quick movements.
Scarcely word was spokea. Thea
with her heart heetisg fast, Bceky led
the way 10 tho srepiaee IA 'tke ocxy 81
Ting roen. After q moments st@eaoa.
Ben said: rBeesy, roo bad sctsethiRs
special 10 sag 10 me tonight ditn1
ycny"
The rich color flooded Becky's
cheeks but Ben did not notice It.
why, yes, Ben. did. wanted to
ask you II you :" she cOughed
and fen silent. The leap year pro
possl wasn't easy. Ben rose and took
q chair nearer.
Il suppose It is downright Mpor-
tsnt, or ron wouldn't have asked me
M 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 KY say
first" Ben went on nanlike, "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, nice little place II 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, ramblln' kind OF a house, He
paused and glanced at Becky's averted
face. "Well, and 80 I went down to
job Patterson's and he says he can
build right away, and Tn looking over
the plans with him tomorrow, you
know, deciding where to put the par
ior, and how big TO make the kitchen,
and was wouderin' II you'd care to 80
along and sort Of help me out. Women
have pretty good ideas on this sub
ject Want to GOT"
Becky faced him. her brown eyes
very near tears Of vexation. He hadn't
proposed, after all
"welIr said Ben. with nperity.
"what do you say1"
"why. Of course, Ben she STAN
mered, It'd isve to 20"
"Ali right then, I'm call for you at
. 30 tomorrow"
Then siience fen. The clock
struck. nine. With tan,alising deiibera.
tion. Becky, wnnted to throw herself
down on the he'd and have a good cry.
What was you wanting to ask me
sbout ReckyY asked the man.
"oh--f--nothirg much, Ben. I won't
bother you with II tonight"
Another silence. Ben arose. "weh,
I 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 hung
them aside with an exclamation and
caught Becky in his arms.
Don't look so, Becky: you know
that house Is for you and newell he
happy there, won't we1 Don't you like
the ideap
Such was Ben Abbott's proposal, but
the woman In his arms found II highly
N was after ten wheb
Becky again handed Ben his hat and
coat. As he descended the porch steps
he stopped suddenly and canc back.
BECKY, what was II you were going
to ash me sbous, tonishtr'
-Oh. nothing much, Ben; I vas Sust
going TO propose TO you. It's leap
yeaY, yeu know. But--you saved ne
the tfenSie."l sss;