All Story Magazine, December 1913 — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

740 * Don't be frightened. There is nothing very dreadful in asking me to marry you, is there? I don't bite or scratch, and I won't say no; and if we don’t live happily ever after it will be your fault. Now—go ahead.” The fog cleared suddenly, and I joined her in her laughter. “Oh, yes, of course I forgot! I came over here to be romantic. I didn’t think the story was common property, though. But, anyway, what’s the use? Cousin Ralph—” ; ‘Doesn't count,” the girl interrupt- ed, almost sharply. ‘‘ We won't dis- cuss him at all, please. If he were worth discussion I wouldn't be here asking you to propose to me. “You needn’t say you love me or anything like that. Just ask me if I will marry you, and I'll say ‘ Yes "— and then we'll talk about papa and his friend.” “I—I see. But—lI’m afraid I—er —don’t catch your point of view. This is so sudden, as it were, and as I’ve never proposed to any one in my life before, I—” Her fingers suddenly gripped my coat-sleeve. “You haven’t?”’ There was a sort of hungry eager- ness in her eyes and voice. “Not once. What does a chap say, asa rule?” Her scrutiny became much keener, and she seemed afraid that she would find in my face the hint of a lie. “ Then—will you—-please—marry me?”’ It was barely a whisper. A soft flush spread over her cheeks, but her eyes did not waver. I felt rather queer, as if we had gone deeper than was intended; and for a moment or two I just looked steadily down at her, wondering how seriously I was sup- posed to take her. ‘Ts that by way of instruction or—” Will: you?” Her fingers slid from my sleeve to my hand, and the grip of them was not to be ridiculed. THE ALL-STORY MAGAZINE. “Let me say it?” I suggested slow- ly, and her expression instantly be- came less strained. “Do you want— to marry me?”’ oe Yes.”’ ‘Because if I don’t marry you I'll have to marry Ralph —and I prefer you. “Um—I see. And can’t you refuse to marry Ralph?” “ Papa won't let me refuse. He ar- ranged my marriage five or six years ago, and has never given me a chance to talk to any other man. He fright- ens me sometimnes with the things he says, and I know I'll never be able to defy him properly unless I marry some one who isn’t afraid of him. You're not afraid of him, are you?” ‘*“No—I don’t think so. But are you sure there isn’t some one else you know better than you do me — some one you possibly — er — like better? -Marriage is a very serious business." “IT know it is. That's why I don't want to marry Ralph.” “Have you told him so?” “ Often—but he won't believe ime. You see, he thinks he loves me; and he’s a selfish little beast—” “Good Heavens!" “Yes—I mean it. He only thinks of me between the splurges he takes. I’m his cousin, and it’s on the cards that I’m going to marry him, so he doesn’t have to bother about being a gentleman. That's his attitude—and I'll have to go through with the horri- ble thing next June if some one doesn’t run away with me in the interval. “It’s useless to say no to papa, and it’s worse than useless to run away alone. He'd only find me and bring me back again—and—and torture me a little more.” “Torture you!” “No —I didn’t mean that. don’t be inquisitive. I’m just afraid of him, that’s all. I’ve tried to fight him; but I can’t, and I know that the only way out is to marry some one— else. Please comicloooks.com