Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1881 — A Serious Flirtation. [ARTICLE]

A Serious Flirtation.

♦. At a church sociable some time ago a theological student was detailed to assist a young lady, whom he had long admired from afar, in making out a new Sunday school library catalogue. The prospective minister found the task by no means an unpleasant one, as the charming young creature read him the title of each book from the title-page, while he delightedly copied it into jthe catalogue before him. In fact, there flitted through the mind of the sedate and rather bashful youth several times the question whether the aforesaid maiden, with her pretty figure and bright eyes, could not be induced to become the “sharer of his labors and toils.” “I believe I would ask he> to-night if I only dared,” thought the young than. “But I don’t dare; so there’s the end of it.” And with gloomier face than before he continued -his work, calling out, “ Next book?” almost as mechanically as fast as be had transcribed the former title. He was aroused from his reverie by the following rejoinder to one of his demands for “next book:”

“Why don’t you do it?” “He started as though the girl had been reading his thoughts. . ‘ “Do what?” he inquired, by way of drawing her out. But the young lady replied not a word. To gain time he again said “Next book?” “No time like the present,” said the maiden, with an encouraging smile. “I see it is of no use to hide my thoughts from Miss M.,” he said, struggling with embarrassment. “Your last two remarks have shown me how perfectly you understand my state of mind. I will therefore follow your advice and embrace the present opportunity of asking you whether you are willing to.accept me as jour partner for life.. Your answer, Fam confident from these remarks, will be affirmative.” It was the young lady’s turn to be embarrassed. ' “To what remarks do you refer?” she said.

. “To the two sentences in which you so delicately blended words of advice and encouragement on this most impdftant of subjects, when you said, ‘Why don’t you do it?’ and r No tiflie like the present.’ ” The girl looked puzzled for a moment, and then burst into a merry laugh. “Why, those were the titles of-tne books you called for. Well, you have got yourself into a pretty flx,’ and she laughed at the discomfited student maliciously. • “Miss M.,” said the young man, springing up with sudden earnestness, “I beg you will consider the words which I cannot now recall. Be mine and I shall be supremely happy; refuse me, and you will make me miserable for life. Will you be mine?” “Yes, yes; don’t make such a noise about it, or somebody will overhear you.”