Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1926-09-29
How Ridgeville
Proposes
! By ANITA LOWE
la, 1925. western Newsps per Union)

JONATHAN loved Susy May. Susy
J May knew that Jonathan loved her.
And Ridgeville knew it.
Jonathan wanted to tell Susy May
that he loved her. Susy May wanted
Jonathan to tell her. Ridgeville want
ed Jonathan to say, "Susy May. love
you. Will you marry meT'
But no one of the three knew how
to make Jonathan speak:
So matters stood one evening when
Jonathan and Susy May stopped to
see Mary and Joe, newly married.
To himself he planned as they
walked home. to lead up to the words,
Suppose we get married and show
them how the home should be fixed
up"
At Susy Mays gate they stopped.
Susy May ventured timidly. Don't
you like Mary's new home. Jonathan?"
Jonathan started. After a pro-
digious gulp, he answered: "No-not
at all. That is, I mean-yes. very
much. No, Think feel"
A long agonizlng pause.
Susy May suggested family: Eyes.
You feel-?"
Jonathan swallowed. II feel-that
is-I-say, Susy May, do you know
there's ring around the moon to-
night?"
Then Jonathan turned and fed, and
poor little Susy May CROPPED her way
upstairs in the dark and cried herself
asleep.
In due time came Christmas. Ridge
ville's festivities centered in the
the church. Jonathan, one Of the
shepherds in Christmas Joy Bells"
worshiped Susy May, the angel. as she
sang in high. sweet soprano. "Lo. I
Comet Comet"
walked home he would tell Susy May
how divinely she had sung, and add:
"Will you sing like that in our home.
Susy MayT"S
At the gate Susy May. after glance
at Jonathan's tense face, faltered:
ITS such lovely night. Let's walk
to the end Of the street and back"
Joyfully Jonathan assented. Bravely
he began to speak: 1.-THE cantata went
off pretty well tonight. Your solo
was fine. Susy May"-determinedly-
Il wish l could hear you sing that
way in-in-"
Eyes, Jonathan. I'M" encouraged
Susy May.
would you sing that way in-I
mean I'd like to hear you sing in"
The words died away In whisper
I'D be pleased to sing wherever you
want me to-" breathed Susy May.
blushing like a Christmas rose.
"Tha-thank you." stammered JON
athan. But hel said nothing more.
When Susy May was safe in her own
room she stormed: II will never give
him another chance! Never"
For four months she kept her word.
Then Ridgeville interfered.
Addie and Peter were married.
Susy May and Jonathan STOOD with
the bride and groom. Soon after
Addie left to put on .)her travelling
gown, Susy May beckoned Jonathan
into the hall. ooh, Jonathan" she
whispered, Peters little brother, Bob.
overheard the crowd planning to give
Peter and Addie big send-off at
Brookside, where they take the train.
And Peter wants you. l think he has
another scheme"
Peter did have. Jonathan If you're
my friend, you and Susy May will get
into my car and drive to Brookside.
The crowd will follow you. Addie and
l will take fathers car and go to Rex
ley for the train. You'll help me out.
John?'
Jonathan's eyes sought Susy Mays.
What do you say? I'll leave 1t to
you"
II don't see but what we'll have
to help them," admitted Susy May.
One-half hour later two muffled
figures slipped out the back gate into
Peters car, waiting in the alley. When
this car turned into the Brookside road
other cars slipped mysteriously out of
the darkness and followed it. Finally
the procession drew up at Brookside
station.
Out sprang Ridgeville. But not one
movement was made in Peters car.
Ridgeville opened the door and pulled
out-Susy May and Jonathanl
Explanations pelted them. "A pretty
trick to play! Where are Addie and
Peter? Own up; what have you done
with the bride and groom? On, you
are the bride and groom! You. too,
were married this evening"
Susy May and Jonathan became vo'
ciferous. But 1t was too late. Ridge
Vile pointed out that after the we'd
ding dinner they and the minister
had been absent for ten minutes.
When the train pulled in, Ridge
VILE abandoned words for action. Into
the train it hustled fearful Susy May
and protesting Jonathan. On the
window went flaring placard, I'VE
Are Just Married." and finally, Ridge
Vile. retreating from the moving
train, showered them with farewells.