The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-05-21
THE SHADOW OF A FATE.
why Miss Eta Black Refused to Chang
Her Name.

why Miss Eta Black Refused to Change
Her Name.
"Did l not drop down on my knees
properly, Miss Black" he asked, with q
wild, yearning anxiety in his voice.
The young woman took lace bor-
dered handkerchief from her pocket
with graceful sweep of the hand, drew
it in correct geometrical curve across
her lips, and returned it to her pocket
with the same careful accuracy of curvi-
linear motion.
"While not strictly correct from a
Delsartean point Of view, Mr.. Savage"
she replied, "and not wholly pleasing to
an eye and intellect trained in what is
known as the philosophy of expression,
yet the evident sincerity Of your feelings
might lead me to overlook the crudity,
if may SO express myself, of their out
ward manifestation"
"And may dare to hope"
81 have not said so much as that, Mr..
Savage, yeti
miss Black - Eta hear mel" he
pleaded. ~ do not claim to be posted
in this Delsartean business. II l had
practiced on a graceful--um-flop for
week / don't believe | could have got
down on my knees in any better style
than l did. l haven't had any instruc-
ton. You can't expect a green hand to
take hold of new wrinkle in science the
same as a regular journeyman scientist.
Is there anything in the text books that
tells how to do this kind of thing?'
"There are certain clearly established
principles, Mr.. Savage" said the young
woman, regarding the outward express
sion of the inner nature, and the careful
student Of
Certainly, certainly, Miss Eta" cor
daily assented the young man, "but
may l ask if you have any objection to
me personally, aside from my.-hum!-
crudity?"
A faint, decorous, Delsartean blush
passed with graceful, wayelilke motion
across her face.
why, Mr.. Savage" she answered,
possibly 1 might waive certain high
artistic considerations if-if l could
silence voice that seems to rise from
the depths Of my inner consciousness and
bid me beware of taking any irrevocable
step in this matter"
"If it is anything about my bank &C.
count, Miss Eta, let me assure you
"Mr. Savage, beg of you to believe
that no sordid considerations influence
me in hesitating to consider the fatter-
ing proposal you have made me. Do you
not seem to hear warning? Is there no
impalpable shadow that seems TO rise be-
tween us? Oh, Mr.. Savage!" she ex-
claimed, edo you not see it?'
"See any impalpable shadow? Well,
should rather say
"Oh, Mr.. Savager-and the young
woman shuddered in slow, geometrically
correct shudders as the full realization
Of the awful truth was borne in upon
her mind-''it is fate! 1t is fate! Do
you not sec it,"
"See WHAT
"The utter impossibility of my ever
becoming your wife!"
"No! How? Why? What do you
mean?"
"Mr. Savage" said the young woman,
rising up, pale but strictly correct, and
speaking in calm, inexorable accents
that smote on his ears like hammer
strokes of destiny, "it is impossiblel If
1 should marry you"-and again a
Delsartean shudder decorously agitated
her frame-"if | should marry you l
would be"-
"What? Don't keep me in suspense,
for heavens sake! You would be what?'
81 would be Eta Black SavageT
1t would never do. The young man
saw it. Under cover of the thick shadow
that fate had thrown across the pathway
of these two young persons Mr.. Savage
hastily brushed the dust off his knees,
picked up his hat, cane and gloves and
made his escape.-Chicago Tribune.