Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-11-22
Too Poor to
Propose
By BETTY STRONG
G. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

tuluS sui anu ylSluluS was uuhS hSoo
first into his arms. He caught her
as easily as he had caught the ball
when he was fielder. and having set
her on her feet gently asked In his
big voice with the trace Of huskiness
In II, Hurt any?"
She breathed quickly. and answered.
I'll guess you saved my life!" There
was just the suggestion of laugh in
that voice that went straight to Bob's
heart.
"You see, I must have caught my
toe in the oilcloth." she explained.
Bob thought she had the sOftest,
sweetest voice he had heard for
long time.
81 think my dinner is forever lost !"
Doris said sadly. STOPPING to feel about
the stairs.
They found at last the head Of let
tuce, the two rolls still in their bag
and the lemon that was to help make
up the dinner. In the process they
said several things to each other. al.
together trite and yet somehow most
Illuminating.
So 1t was not strange that the second
time Bob ran into the occupant of the
hall bedroom he lifted his hat and
stopped to talk.
The third time they met, Bob asked
directly. would you take walk with
me this afternOOn?"
The faintest tinge Of color showed
through Doris white skin and she said
for 1t was Saturday-"Id love to"
They walked along Fifth avenue,
stopping before the shop windows to
peer in and feeling a part of all the
thrill and stir of an afternoon on the
avenue.
Doris eyes were shining and she
was actually prettier each time Bob
Richards looked down at her.
The next Saturday it rained and
Doris hesitated and then knocked at
the door on the second floor that bore
the card: Robert Richards"
Il thought you might have tea with
me, it's such a cold, dismal kind of
afternoon" Doris offered shyly.
At the answering CLEAN of pleasure
in his eyes Doris hurried up the flight
of stairs. She knew it would mean
that she must lunch meagerly all the
following week, but she bought crump-
ets-toasted them over her gas burner
and tiny jar of marmalade, and
spray Of narciSsus to put in the bowl
by the window.
At his loud rap she opened her door
and smiled up at him.
Bob laid down box of candy as he
said, 81 bought it for the party" and
looked about him curiOusly.
For il was the oldest hall bedroom
he had ever seen. He had imagined a
room with a bureau and an iron bed.
and enough room just to sit on the
one chair. What he saw was room
with two windows and an alcove. q
room that looked sunny in spite Of the
fact that ii was raining, because the
walls were yellow and charming sun.
ny colored chintz hung at the windows
and covered the cushions of the two
brown tinted wicker chairs.
Cleaning brass candlesticks were on
a table in the corner. a brilliant color
print of blue mountain and an icy
mountain brook hung over the gray
painted table. A couch under tum-
BILE of cushions-and a black luster
bowl held the frail narcissus In the
window.
Doris sitting down at the table pour.
ing tea into clear yellow cups, he sud.
denly saw as another girl girl re-
moved from his own hard struggles by
all the beauty of this charming room.
Why, she must earn more in week
than he did to have place like this!
For month Doris scarcely saw the
owner of the room on the second floor
When she did meet him by chance, he
hurried past her with an abrupt Good
evening""
But once when she climbed the two
flights Of stairs and saw that BOb's
door was open and a strange girl was
standing by the black marble mantel-
piece, her heart seemed like piece Of
lead. She could scarcely drag herself
away.
''Oh. do you live on the floor above?"
the strange girl asked eagerly. I've
seen your room and II Is so pretty"
Doris answered. wondering how she
could go on talking when the bottom
of her little world had dropped out.
81 bought the hangings on Sixth ave
nue. at a sale. and the candlesticks In
Allen street for $l.25; you can find
some secondhand furniture and paint
it yourself; oh, yes, I'll show you how"
She smiled wistfully and went on up
the stairs
But the blood thrummed in her ears
madly when she heard dumping steps
behind her. Doris turned to see Bob
Richards coming toward her with q
bewildered, dawning happiness in his
eyes.
Il heard what you said," he began,
ii had to come back. thought I'd go
away and try to forget you-for
knew | couldn't ask a girl with all
you had to marry poor fellow like
me. You mean it. Doris, you fixed up
that room out of nothing?"
He caught her hands and looked
down into her eyes.
Don't you know | love your?
But" she whispered.
81 was ashamed to ask a rich girl