Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-06-23
A Proposal That
Went Astray
e, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)
BY HAZEL SMITH

your new Dehu ASKED neE Aunt JSS-
sic indulgeatly
Jessie Minturn was 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 you2" asked Betty, turn
ing on her aunt in artful triumph.
MY dear, it's become village Cos
sip" said Aunt Jessie. And when a
thing gets to be that it's time some
thing was done How about George
Crothers?"
4Oh, George is all right said Betty.
But George is just my ordinary, reg
ular beau, and Wilfred is quite diff
ferent."
"WnfredY' exclaimed her aunt. Evil
fred whoT
Now you'H have to find that out
for yourself. aunt" said Betty, dane
ing away But don't be afraid. I'm
only leading him on just to have some
fun with him. He's 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 a slip If a child yet and you don't
know nearly as much as | do about"
about men, auntF" queried Betty
in amusement, seeing the color flaming
in her aunt's face
About the wCrld," Aunt Jessie an
swered. Years ago-ten years, | sup
pose said Aunt Jessie, l met somebody
never mind where | was an mex
perienced impulsive girl and he was
my first conquest. One evening, when
he had been calling on me, and had
said goodnight he stopped at the
door and looked at me. l 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 / let him. That's ALL"
"Oh, Aunt Jessie, how perfectly love
Tyr exclaimed her niece delightedly.
And TO think you kept the secret all
these years and never told me. Go
on"
That's all answered her aunt
quietly.
But what happened, Aunt Jessief
Did he propose. or whatT
Nothing happened, my dear" the
elder woman answered "On the fol-
lowing day | received a letter from
him. He told me how madly ne loved
me and begged that l would tell him
whether | returned his love If | did
not answer, he said, he would know
that his love was hopeless OF course
didn't answer"
But didn't you love him, Aunt Jes-
sieT' inquired her niece in astonish-
ment.
my dear, loved him with all my
heart But he said nothing of mar
riage, and | am old-fashioned enough
to believe that a proposal should pre-
cede any demonstration of affection.
And | knew he would never marry
girl who had let herself be kissed.
"That's why l want TO warn you
Betty dear"
81 don't see that YOU have wrecked
your life at all | think you are just
old-fashloned," pouted her niece,
springing away. She halted at the
door. "Wilfred is coming to supper
on Sunday night, aunt" she said mock
ingIy and flew down the street Half
an hour later Miss Minturn, glancing
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 Hes here,
aunt" she exclaimed. you'll hear the
bell ring in a moment" And the bell
pealed almost upon the words.
Half an hour later, when Miss Min
turn came downstairs she saw a tall
stranger standing on the hearth-rug,
listening with amusement to Betty's
chatter. He raised his head
"Aunt Jessie, this is Mr.. Garvin,"
said Betty.
Aunt Jessie's cheeks we're redder
than her nieces. AS for Mr. Garviu,
there was a look in his eyes which
seemed to indicate that he had not
been wholly unprepared for the meet
ing.
The next ten minutes were miser-
able ones for Jessie Mnturn.
"Well,n said Betty at last, "as you
two seem such uninteresting company
this afternoon ! shall leave you alone
for a while" And she stalked out in
dudgeon.
The man went quietly over TO Miss
Minturn and took her hands.
I'm going to tell you something
now in spite Of your silence" he said.
Perhaps you had reasons for your
silence then which have been removed.
Jessie, l have loved you for ten years
won't you marry me now?"
'Marry-you7 gasped Jessie Min
turn. "Why-Wilfred-y never
asked me before
''But wrote to your" he exclaimed.
Did you not get my letter.
But you only said you loved me"
she faltered. Il thought you despised
me because-because-I let YOU kiss
me-"