Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-10
Sister Anne's
Proposal
By MARTHA M. WILLIAMS

| (Copyrfght.)
sC oMEBoDY's comingi coming /
y comingl @
Somebody's coming-but Ill not say
whow
Lalee chanted with her wicked
twinkle, nodding toward the far gate
leading upon the deep lawn from the
highway. Sister Anne turned brick
red, and made to be absorbed in the
crochet intricacy under her hand.
"Shut up, you plagued" from Sister
Anne.
"Shan't do It" from Lalee the law
less. "You know that's just what
he'll say. He's getting down now
II l was horse wouldn't carry q
man that looked so like he was made
Of ramrods. Riding circuit twenty
years ought to have learned him bet
ter than to get down stiff-legged."
Again Sister Anne cried "shut upr
this time effectually. Heavy feet
sounded upon the steps.
"Do go ask him in" Sister Anne
entreated. Lalee giggled again. "No
need of primping up-hes already
swallowed hook, line and sinker," she
said hushedly, yet moved to greet
and seat the visitor, who stood frown-
ing family over the slight delay.
Sight of her banished the frown, even
brought pale glow to the cavernous
eyes. In his most mellif1uous voice he
said: "How wonderful are thy ways,
o Lord. To put all the summer, the
morning into human shape. thus
doubly blessing our eyes,"
"rd say quit your kiddin'-only
you're preacher" Lalee said.
Elm! hope l may see your SIS
ter-privately," McCallum returned
with significance. Lalee clapped her
hand over her irrepressible mouth to
strange an II knew 1t Oh! 1 knew
It'll" and whipped away, decorously
silent. She did not wish McCallum
luck in his wooing-but she did long
deeply for Big Sis to have real sure
enough proposal. Big Sis was rising
thirty-and all the mother Lalee had
ever known. She was neither beauti-
full nor ugly, had fine temper, and
fair wit, to say nothing Of being a
queen Of housekeepers.
Lalee had been belle even before
she put up her childish curls. Staid
Judge Emory, her fathers chum at
college, had seriously proposed to
her when she had reached the ripe
age of sixteen. There had been, there
at al ~ Nd a1r nNck
teen she was heartfree-to her own
disgust. Often she said stormily:
'Don't see why anybody wants me,
with Big Sis about-nor why I can't
find somebody to fall in love with, and
have done with 1t. Dad needs a SON.
in-law badly"
And now McCallum showed unmis-
taxable signs toward Anne. He must
propose, that would save the situa-
ton; but Big Sis of course wouldn't
think of him for a minute. Yet as
Lalee tripped in search Of Sister Anne
a queer tremor fell on her. Suppose
how must it seem to be beyond
thirty and never anybody making love
to YOU?
She Rugged Anne tight before send
ing her away, cautioning her: Don't
you look that lamb-to-the-slaughter
way; it would be too encouraging.
Make him sweat-he deserves it."
When Big Sis had got half down the
wide stairway, Lalee had an inspira-
tion-nothing less than to eavesdrop
the ministerial proposal Dead easy
they were seated in the hall; she
could steal to the upper landing, where
every word would be audible. Moving
shadow-like she gained her coign of
vantage in time.
Capitals hardly do justice to his
emphasis. Sister Anne murmured
something Lalee could not catch. But
palmer than cannon boom came after
it.: "My desire is to have you In
truth and fact for ny-sister. To
help me win the most wonderful crea-
ture living. She is so fair, so sweet,
so young. feel it laid specially upon
me to guide anC guard her-to bring
her into The fold. You will, you must,
help me. know you must long have
understood"
"She didn't-she Couldn't Nobody
did" Lalee cried, swooping down on
them the moral and pattern Of fury.
"You'd see yourself how ridiculous
you are-only you're too conceited-."
fright, little sisterp Judge Emory
doomed from the piazza. He had
come home with dad. "But I'm glad
to find out Pm not the sole prize idiot
trying to marry fIitter-blt like you
when there's the very best woman in
the world in plain view"
McCallum, purple faced, tried to
speak. The Judge motioned for ST.
lence and took Sister Anne's hand,
saying:
Haven't done penance long
enough, dear, fora young old mans
folly? You said you couldn't trust me,
when first ! realized how foolish !
had been"
"Never you mind about her. | can
trust you. You're just the man this
family has needed" Lalee cried Joy
ously. Then to the minister: "Say,
to show you ! ,ar no malice, marry
them right on the spot"
Several years too much" the Judge
said, taking Anne's hand In tight
grip. McCallum did not marry them
then and there, but the rector made
up for that little later, with all the
countryside dancing at the wedding.