Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-05-08
THE SHADOW OF A FATE.
why Miss Etta Black Refused to Change
Her Name.

why Mis-. Etta Black Refused to Change
Her Name.
did | not drop down on my knees
properly, Miss Blacky' he asked, with q
wild, yearning anxiety in his voice.
The young woman took lace Dor
dered handkerchief from her pocket
with n graceful sweep Of the hand, drew
IL in "a correct geometrical curve across
her lips, and returned IL 10 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, land 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 10 overlook the crudity,
IL may so express myself. of their out
ward manifestation"
And may dare 10 hopey"
IL have not said so much as that, Mr..
Savage, yet
Miss Black - Eta - hear mel" he
pleaded. Il do not claim 10 be posted
in this Delsartean business. IL / had
week don't believe could have got
down on my knees in any better style
than did. haven't had any instruc-
tion. You cant expect green hand TO
take hold Of new wrinkle in science the
same ~ a regular journeyman scientist.
Is there anything in the text books that
tells how To do this kind of thingy'
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 ask il You have any objection TO
me personally. aside from my-hum!-
Crudtyy"
A faint. decorous, Delsartean blush
passed with u graceful. wavelike motion
across her face
"Why. Mr.. Savage" she answered,
possibly ! might waive certain high
artistic considerations if-if | could
silence "A voice that seems To rise from
the depths of my inner consciousness aud
bid me beware Of taking any .irrevocable
step in this matter"
III II is anything about my bank &C
count, Miss Eta. let me assure YOU
mir. Savage, | beg Of You to believe
that no sordid considerations influence
me in hesitating to consider the fiatter-
ing proposal you have made Inc. Do you
not seem TO hear warming l. there no
impalpable shadow that seems to rise be-
tween usl Oh, Mr.. Savage!' she ex-
claimed, do you not see ity'
"See any impalpablo shadow? Well.
| should rather say
"Oh, Mr.. Savager'-and the young
woman shuddered in slow. geometrically
correct shudders as the full realization
oLfhe awful truth was borne in upon
her mind-"it is fate! II is fatel Do
you nos see it,
See whats!
"The utter impossibility Of my ever
becoming your wife,
"No. How? Why1 What do you
mean"
"Mr. Savage said the young woman,
rising up. pale but strictly correct, and
speaking in calm, memorable accents
that smote on his ears like hammer
strokes Of destiny, "it is impossible! IL
| should marry you"-and again
Delsartean shudder decorously agitated
her frame-''if | should marry you ]
would be-
What Don't keep me in suspense,
for heavens sakel You would be whatF
IL would be- Eta Black Savager
II 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 ape.-Chicago Tribune.