CROSSWORD ROMANCE

Puzzling Way of Popping the Question

The Washington Post plays the lead role in an Eastertime good-feel story. 

Corey Newman, romantic hero, had been trying for months to figure out a drop-dead wonderful way of proposing to romantic heroine Marlowe Epstein, who just happens to be a fan of the Washington Post crossword page.  "I wanted to do something unique," he said.

Presto.  Unique idea popped into his head.  He approached Bob Klahn, veteran crossword creator, and a very special crossword duly arrived in Sunday's paper.

37 Across: Shakespeare in Love role.  Answer: Marlowe

39 Across: Casablanca screenwriter Julius or Philip.   Answer: Epstein

51 Across: Words with a certain ring to them.  Answer: Will you marry me?

"Will you marry me?" she read out as she solved 51 Across, and lo, down he went on one knee with a ring in his hand.

It's not the first time that Klahn has faced this interesting task.  In 1998 he crafted a puzzle for the New York Times that also doubled as a marriage proposal.

He's a miracle-maker.  The heroine said yes to that one, too.