A TEAR BEHIND.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 52

A TEAR BEHIND.

Dear Emmbmne, — While tidying my little Bister Mary's desk yesterday, I discovered & little poem or rhyme, which I thought so comical that I am sending ib to you for printing, if you think it is good enough. Mary is only 11 years old, «o she could 'not have i»tended sending ib to. anyone. Would you be so kind, as to put it in the Ladies' Page -*• Yours truly; ' • - - , Mary's .Sisteb,

- '* Will 'you marry'me ?" said she to 7te, -Her face all wreathed in ldvißg smiles. '^It is'leap year, you.sejS," *aid she, .." And you -can't propose to me." She had to make an apology To the victim of her wiles, so :

"It is leap year, my dear, you see, So you cannot propose to me ; r And by the time the year is ended Nobody knows where you'll be landed. Then my papa begins to travel Next month, ami I go too "—here she stopped, For he did th°re beein to smile.

" What are you smiling for ? " asked she.

" That you should dare propose to me When, don't you know, this month's November — *" The third day too —an unlucky day ; And this is not leap year at all" (Here she looked so very small). " You ladies had no leap year ball This year — you must remember.-" " I don't," said Rhe mo3t vehemently ; " And IM not speak to you again !" Here she turned, went swiftly by, Cam ing her head away on high. She heard a step beside her close, But went on 's if she heard it not. Then sbe beard a familiar voice : ".Won't you speak to me once more? Speak forgiveness, -let me hear Your sweet voice whispering in mine ear : ' I forgive you freely, dear.' " " I won't," she cried ; " you've gone too far ! " " But, sweet Ellen, list to me." He drew her arm within his own. " Do behave, and leave me alone 1 " " Ellen, be still, and listen to me. Your pioposal is a year behind; Hat, my dearie, never niiud. I'll propose to yon this time— Ypu'll accept me,- won't you, now V* • ; And so he asked her then and there »>-■ » .■To become his wife so fair. - v And do you,thinlji she did refuse him I .Go, ask the s-ime to the- writer now, As'he a<<ked her by the wHpw tree, And find out" u"tiat the answer be ;* YeSj dear reader, go and see ! >' ' .'. - . Pukaki.