PRACTICAL PROPOSAL (An OHS Mark Hellinger writes his story) The late afternoon sun came streaming through, the capacious windows of the George w. Vanderholt's mansion, shedding its light on the customary cocktail party now in full swing. There seemed to "be an air of expectancy hovering over the crowd of gay socialites as they gathered together in groups of three and four throughout the luxurious room. The hubbub died out suddenly as the huge oaken doors slowly opened and an attractive, young woman walked in gracefully. There was a clamor of voices as the crowd swooped down to relieve her of the cocktails she had brought in. After a few noisy moments, however, things quieted down to normalcy, and the enthusiastically greeted young woman had a breathing space to rearrange herself. A well-dressed, middle-aged, and, in spite of his years, a handsome man separated himself from the joyful group and walked slowly toward the popular new¬comer . "Nora," he whispered oftly, "where could I speak to you," and then he added meaningly, ''Privately " "I never want to speak to you again," she cried with an angry" toss of her head. "I've told you time and time again to stop bothering me, but you persist in wanting to talk to me." And then, "I suppose that I might spare a few moments," she consented rather grudgingly. "We can talk in this room without being disturbed," she said as they walked quickly into the quiet and deserted study. He dropped down on the couch beside her and spoke boyishly, eagerly, "You know how i feel about you. I won't be able to give you all this," he said, taking in the beautiful room with a wide, sweeping gesture, "but I'll be able to give you something more lasting than this false glitter of society. "You make it sound very inviting." "Well," he went on enthus¬iastically, "I've bought a little cottage just out of town. It's white with green shutters, and a winding path leads through the flowers to the door." They both seemed to be lost in reflection; he went on,"I want you to come with me." He looked at her plead¬ingly. "You'd have a great time. You could get up in the morning and cook breakfast for us in a little white kitchen, and while I'm at work during the day, you could clean the house end make it shine. I don't see how I can do without you, "he concluded, "won't you please come?" "How could I resist? Put now let's get down to business. What will you pay." "Well, my wife will help you most of the time. How about twenty a week?"