A PROPOSAL 4000 YEARS OLD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 65

A PROPOSAL 4000 YEARS OLD.

(By A. Wallie.) “I have found the very thing to suit you!” cried Philip Dunton, impetuously. “No more of this abominable mechanical work for you —put it away, Mndge!” He laid violent hands upon the manuscript lying beside the typewriter at which .Madge Margetson was employed, and flung the offending document into the grate, whence the girl retrieved it before answering. “For shame, Philipi” she exclaimed, with indignation not wholly simulated. “It belongs to one of my best clients- — it is his latest novel, indeed —and I have no end of trouble to make out his writing at any time. Now you have made it more difficult than ever for me." She smoothed the crumpled sheets tenderly, while t—e young man, somewhat abashed, watched her closely. “I’m awfully sorry, dear,” he apologised ; ‘but I was really so delighted at the idea that you might get rid of this horrid work for something more congenial that I did not stop to think. 1- ■Ye me, won’t you?” “I’ll pardon yon on two conditions,” she returned, maintaining her severity. “Fne is that you sit down—the* other that you tell me coherently what this xv underfill plan of yours is?” Ho seated hirmelf as she hid, and she resumed her place at the machine, but facing him. “You know,” he began, “that in two days’ time £ leave, along with my uncle, Pi-of. Kruse, to whom I 'am to act as secretary and assistant while he expro es me mounds of Tarko, in Asia Minor.” rr '!ie listener nooded. "That,” Tie commented, curtly, “is fiddlers’ news; we have discussed it for weeks past.” “Pray note,” he retorted, mischievou iv, “that I am making up for my precipitation just now by putting everything plainly. Therefore, permit me to add that we two are engaged ; but I have nothing to marry upon except what I get from my uncle, who disapproves of marriage on principle-, and, I verily beliieve, of all women, save Miss in i Tin Morgan.

“This Miss Morgan want® a com panion who understands cuneiform writing, and has sought vainly for one possessing such an unusual accomplishment. I told her of you, and of how, to assist your late father in his Assyrian researches, you had learned someth.ng ot it. She deputed me to ask whether you would come to her, and offers £lO pounds monthly by way of salary.” Madge’s strong, handsome face lighted up. “It would suit me, certainly,” she admitted, “but what kind of a woman is Mis® Morgan, and what reason lias she for such an extraordinary requirement ?’*

‘ Siho is very rich, good-natured, stout and nearer 50 than 40,” Duntoai summarised, in reply; “and since she has known my uncle has developed a craze for his special line of study, about winch, however, she is extremely stupid. You are sure to like her.” This prophecy proved correct. Madge did take to Miss Morgan, and .that lady reciprocated the feeling; in fact, the following afternoon, when Prof. Kruse, along with his nephew, called to bid her farewell, they found her full of praise of the new companion, with whom she had arranged that morning. “Such a dear girl,” she gushed, “and so pretty—not at all like one who knew anything about that wonderful cruciform writing.” “Cuneiform,” corrected the professor —a spare, ascetic man. “It is certainly unusual for a woman to understand it. But what better occupation could 6he have than its study ?” he demanded, with that enthusiasm for his hobby w characterised him. “What better?” reiterated Miss Morgan, her rubicund colour flushing to crimson. “Why, she could marry, of course —that would he higher occupation.” “J don’t agree with you,” the pro-

fessor retorted, bluntly. “No woman with scientific ta-lemt® should marry—it is a sacrifice of her genius at tho shrine of a mere man —a moral suicide —an utter iniquity.” Miss Morgan sighed again, and did so stall more deeply when shortly after the visitors took their leave.

Philip’s letter to Madge, after his arrival at Tanka, reflected the state of his mind, which was much distressed. He did not see a chance for them, lie wrote, for his uncle’s antipathy to mar-

- ge appeared to increase. But, the young man added by postscript, the prolessor had forwarded to Miss Morgan a case full of curious tablets they had discovered, hearing in cuneiform characters much ancient correspondence.

When the package thus advised duly arrived, Miss Morgan opened it with enthusiasm. “Can yon really read this ?” she asked 1 Lidcce, as she picked out a. cake of baked clay. “It looks like badly made chocolate, with the marks of hens’ feet on it.”

It took tlie girl the greater part- or a. day to fully decipher the hierogly■h:cs ; put toward evening she brought the result of hoi labours to her employer. “I think 1 have made out most of t," she reported, hesitatingly ; “but I hardly like to tell you what it is. “Read it at once,” the other ordered, eagerly. “I am old enough to judge for myself.” “It is addressed in your name, ’ “'e, thus instructed, proceeded, with a blush. “ ‘To Miriam, the welfbeloved, the searcher sendetli greeting.’ ” “Go on!” cried Miss Morgan. “ ‘Mv heart* panteth as does a Syrian a.ss under burdens. Name- the nuptial day. Then shall the searcher seek his ' Y <-\ved. ’ ” Miss Morgan's face was a study of smile'-' in colour. “How poetical!” she exclaimed. “How chava-cterist’c. What a dear man to express it in such an uncommon way. I 1 -d answer him at* once.” Whereat. Madge was discreetly silent*; but a-t the same time she sent away a let.tei from Miss Morgan to Prof. Kruse she posted one to Dun ton from herself. The result was startling. Some weeks later came a cable from the professor to say that he was returning, and, shortly after, he arrived, accompanied by his nephew. His first call was upon Miss Morgan, who received Him alone. “I had your letter,” he began awkardly, as soon a.s the first greetings were over; “and to clear up the obvious misunderstanding, came home at once —acting, I may say, partly on my nephew’s advice.” “Misunderstanding!” repeated the lady, sharply. “Tt is plain that I had—ah —no* intention in—a.b —sending you a tablet bearing a proposal of —all—marriage four thousand years old —of—ah adopting its sentiments.” Miss Morgan drew herself erect. “In Mr Dun ton’s presence, befo e you left, you told me exactly the reverse,” she retorted with aoe bity, “and your a.t-tentaons otherwise, Prof. Kruse, have been extremely marked. Yon have placed me in a very false position.” “The error may not be irremediable,” he stammered, clumsily. “I have always said, Miss Morgan—Miriam, that no woman has ever interested me as you do, and that none had taken such concern in my researches.” “And in you,” murmured the lady, encouragingly. “Then suppose we let the tablet stand as expressive of my feelings. Its language is florid, but ” “You can try to keep it up, ’’ she suggested, boldly. “I have lov —liked you all along, professor, and now my money, as well as myself, will be «|ble to assist your investigations.” The door opened to admit. Madge Margetson and Philip Dunton. who paused as they saw the attitude of the others. But the professor called them in. “Bet me introduce you,” he said, blithely “to the future Mrs Kruse.” “Congratulations,” returned Philip. “You said that when you married 1 might do so ?” His uncle frowned—-the contingency had not occuiwed to him. “Who is the lady ? s lie demanded evasively. “Here she is—the translator of the Tarka tablet.”