The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-08-25
4 Proposal That
Went Astray
By HAZEL SMITH

&c. 1871. Western Nswspapsr Union.)
Betty, what il that I hear about
your new beaur" asked her Aunt Jes-
sic indulgently.
Jessie Minturn wal thirty-two and
not pretty. She lived with her wild
owed sister, Mrs. Charters, and her
only child, over whose madcap nature
she exercised what restraint was pos
sible.
who told your" asked Betty, turn
ing on her aunt N artful triumph.
my dear, it's become village Cos.
zip" said Aunt Jessie. And when q
thing gets to b. that it, tims some
thing was done. How about Georgo
Orothersf"
.Oh, Gsorss 10 all right" said Betty.
But George u Just my ordinary. reg
ular beau, and Wilfrsd 10 quite DIFF
ferent." .#' S"S,g fsF1
'Wilfredi" exclaimed her aunt. "Wil-
fred whOf''
"Now you'll have to ind that out
for yourself, aunt," said BStty, dane
ing away. "But don't Be afraid. I'm
only leading him on just to have some
fun with him. Hes really too old for
me, aunt-he must be nearly forty"
Betty, I'm going to tell you some
thing" said Jessie, Minturn. you're
only q slip Of q child yet and you don't
know nearly as much as I do about"
about men, auntT" queried Betty
In amusement, seeing the color flaming
in her aunt's face.
about the world" Aunt Jessie an
swered. years ago-ten years, l sup
pose said Aunt Jessie, I met somebody
never mind where. I was an mex
perienced, impulsive girl and he was
my first conquest. One evening, when
he had besn calling on me, and had
said goodnight he stopped at the
door and looked at. me. I was very
much In love with him, although he
had said nothing to me. / suppose
my face told him all that he wanted
to know. He bent down and kissed
me, and I let him. That's all"
'Oh, Aunt Jessie, how perfectly love
lyi" exclaimed her niece delightedly.
And to think you kept the secret Ill
these years and never told me-. do
on" &
That's ALL" answered her aunt
quietly.
But what happened, Aunt Jessiel
Did he propose, or what3 7"
'fNothing happened, my dear" the
elder woman answered. "On the fol
lowing day 1 received a letter from
him. He told me how madly he loved
me and begged that / would tell him
whether I returned his love. Il I did
not answer. he said, he would know
that his love was hopeless. OF course
I didn't, answer"
''But didn't you love him, Aunt Jes-
sie2" inquired her niece In astonish-
ment.
my dear, I loved him with al my
heart. But he said nothing Of mar.
riage, and I am old-fashioned enough
to believe that a proposal should pre-
eede any demonstration Of affection.
And / knew he would never marry 4
girl who had let herself be kissed.
That's why I want to warn you
Betty dear" !
II don't see that you have wrecked
your life at all; / think you are just
old-fashioned." pouted her niece,
springing away. She halted at the
door. "Wilfred is coming to supper
on Sunday night, aunt" she said mock.
ingly. and few down the street. Hall
an hour later Miss Minturn, glancina
through the window, saw her in rapt
conversation with George Crothers.
Sunday came. The name Of the Wis
itor was still obstinately withheld By
Betty. But about four o'clock she
came dancing upstairs. He's here
aunt she exclaimed. you'll hear the
bell ring In q moment" And the bel
pealed almost upon the words.
Half an hour later, when Miss Min
turn came downstairs she saw q tai
stranger standing on the hearth-rug
listening with amusement to Betty'i
chatter. He raised his head.
.Aunt Jessie, this - Mr.. Garvin,'
said Betty.
Aunt Jessie's cheeks were reddel
than her 1iece.s. AS for Mr.. Garvin
there was q look IN his eyes which
seemed to indicate that he had moi
been wholly u~nprepared Tor the meet
Ing. sSas@s
The next ten minutes were miser
able ones for Jessie Minturn.
Well said Betty ~ last, ms yot
two seem such uninteresttng COMPANY
this afternoon \ shall leave you alone
for 1 while And ne stalked ont y
dndgeon.
me man went quietly y q g lfis!
Minturn and took her hands. s.
Tm going o tai You ssmsthin,
now III apite of your slsnce,y AZ raid
Perhaps yeu had Reasons m you
1tIencest then which have been removed
Jossia have loved You ri tn year
-wopf youu MARK ne now1
.NlarrY-you1' easpsd Jessis Min
turn. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES neye
aSked me- before
INIT I wrote % YOU NJ A. exelaimss<d
ibid you NOT gstMy lettar
.Bu Jolu only seid I'm loved me-.
she faltered. q thorghf you desptsel
me becanse -becausI lst you NJ
me.
thousnt you understood, y