THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 7 February 1907, Page 4

THE STORYTELLER.

BASHFUL LOVER'S PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE. .Ui.*s Miliicent Jirowu is enleitaiumg .Mr Hlward (iiovt-i in the lirou 11 parlous. Time 8 o'c.ick j>.m. ill Clover is an attractive youth, but excessiveiy bashful. Jlil.icent: Yes, we were all so much interested in Jlr Kippbng's condition. I suppose you felt the same way," Edward: "Yes." Aiihieeui: "it must Jje lovely to have people l'eel thai way aliou: you. don't you think so'r" Edward: "Yes.' -V sienee ensues. She wailed for him to offer soil' comment. He oilers none.

-Uiilieent: "D—do ou kiiuw aiivthing about surgery, Mr (.{lover!" Jul ward: "Surgery? A bit." Millicent; "Well, I've got sueli a nasty sliver in my hand. \V —would you mind ookiug at it!" Kdward: ■•Looking at it? (.'ertainlv not." lie looks at him from half-way across the room. "And you will try and get it oiu? Vou see papa i s so near-sighted, and liuiinm«i is so nervous. and it* vom know just a little about sursjerv ' Julward: —but I jn sure 1 don't know enough to Millicent: 'Here's the needle, Mr (ilovcr. don'i Im afraid of hurting me."

Edward (aside) "But 1 am afraid— I'm horribly afraid."' Millicent: "Come, Mr Clover, please. Don't keep nie waiting—it makes me nervous." lie conies forward reluctantly and draws up a chair. Then iie takes her hand. Millicent: '"One moment, Mr Glover. Have you your watch? Please put it on the table here. I—l want to time the operation." He looks at her vondcringly as a2 lays his watch on the table. Then he takes liar haud again and grasps the needle. Millicent: "Why. how pale you look! Are surgeons usually like that?'' Edward: "Well, you see, I—l never held your hand—l meau I never performed—hold quite still, please.'' With great pains and iiiliuite genteness he removes the silver. Edward: ''There, it's out.* > Millicent- rooks at the watch. "Is it #ll out?" Edward: 'T will look again." Still holding her haud he examines the splinter scar with great care. Milieent: It's two minutes—l mean it's ever so much better, thank you." He still holds her hand. Millicent: It's quite well now." Edward: "Perhaps, to make sure, it would be better to apply the ancient rhyming remedy. You know it, 01 course: 'Who kissed the spot to make it well?'" He suddenly bends over and kisses her hand. Millicent: "Why. lOdward!" Edward: "MiiUcentP Here follows a bus\ tcu-second interim. Millicent: '"Eddie, dear, X have a confession to make to you." Edward; "Well. Millie?" Millicet: "It's just horrid. You see, Moliie Blame bet me a box of chocolate creams that 1 couldn't get you to hold my hand for a full minute, and—and I took the bet." "Edward: ''Was that MolJie's idea.'' Millicent: "Yc-es." Edward: "Say, we'll make her best girl at the wedding!"