The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-01-17
AQUESTIONIN ETIQUETTE
~ sIcHAsD aAlElIros ror,.1.All !.

Rows Of aristocra tic-looking hous1s
\ - ths right 81 me, : park 70 the Lett
q me; : lunch-party four long blocks
Hahead Of me, my homo, in the Tar dis
] tance, behind me; y cloudy sky. from
which dcscends flne, but steady
sprinkle, above me II wish could
add, ind IN umbrella g damp, and
rapidly growing sloppy pavement be-
meath me; no possible oar or omnibus,
no cab-stand. Oh, for : plsbeian
street, with its multitude Of conven-
fences! But my mind refuses to grasp
the bliss therein conveyed. Il flies,
instead, to the feathers on my hat, the
velvet on my gown.
i had left my home rather hurriedly,
and, deceived by q hypocritical little
ray Of sunshine, had been lured forth.
TO find myself in this plight. OF course
could mount the steps OF one of the
irreproachable houses that line my
path; but there should be tied. and
the rain would only increase, and
should late for the luncheon. Nc, it
is impossible.
54. = 4uAChCA ivy SCCPSs udS0 paw
eeeded to the crossing; the drizzle is
maturing into well-aefined drops that
come faster and faster. Despair has
me in his fell grasp see my pet COS
tune bedraggled and ruined wreck.
j reflect on the state of my finances,
which precludes the possibility Of my
rising above cashmere nay, even
serge-again this winter. give my
skirts vigorous hitch,that would lead
one to forget my ankles and reflect on
my knees, and make q forward lunge
more remarkable for it's desperate en-
erRy than its grace.
'Er-pardon me-" says manly
voice. tritle hesitatingly. at my ell
bow.
] start violently and my skirts seek
their proper level. A large umbrella
is sheltering me; the rain no longer
patters among the feathers that crown
ALLOW me to share my umbrell.
with you see that you are without
one," adds the manly voice.
''Oh, thank you" I say, as recover
somewhat, and gather, from the owns
er's general appearance, that he is .
gentleman and, in all reliability,
means his protection in kindness and
not as means to getting up firta-
ton. Perhaps ought to refuse his
aid, politely and graciouslv, of course,
with the simple remark that ! have
not far to go and SO shall not require
his assistance. Maybe ! should draw
fh0 I'M
maidenhood style. and say:
'.Sir! I thank you. but can get
along very well by myself"
If he looked a trifle less respectful
and gentlemanly think l would sac
rifice Nine Boland's latest, and as
yet unpaid for, effort in my behalf;
but ! am sure he is not going to say
the most prudish could OBJ
ject TO- At any rate my situation, un-
I'll now. has been really pathetic; SO
shall try cbeying my own instinct.
know better in future, and the expert
ence will not hurt me.
We have trarerscd block in silence.
lie walks by my side, perfectly grave
and quiet, and only seems to glance in
my direction to see that I am well
protected ! AM thankful that took
his offer the way it was meant, and
did not give him reason to regret his
generous impulse. On we pace, and
there enters my mind the quotations:
Thou art 80 near and yet so far
But, seriously, he certainly is very
nice not to try to get up a converse
ton which would only make me thor
oughly stiff and uncomfortable. I can
just hear an ordinary man beginning:
Its a damp day. or, Pretty wet,
isn't tip or ''Have you far to go,
miss?' or addressing some equally
sentence to me.
1t seems strange, though, to walk
along SO close to anyone and not utter
a word. wonder if ought to speak;
but no. he appreciates my position.
What could say. anyway? ! will
thank him when we separate, and
that is all I can do. ! may not be
gracious enough. considering his po-
likeness. but how can one be gracious
to stranger? Oh, for surreptitious
peep at q book on etiquette!
AAS0VSaAs s&tkaO q SuASh1ooh 2 hAAA' /
He is very frank looking, and he has
straig steady, brown eyes, |
as discovered in my first startled
glance at him. Altogether, it would |;
have been impossible to have snubbed
him. Perhaps am little shaky in |
my conviction. and l am trying to
Justify myself, but
Here ! stumble thanks to my van
ity in wearing French heels, which
lid make me a trifie unsteady, and !
should fall were it not for his quick
sa# 5# !e4
Thanks murmur, with my |
cheeks burning. My eyes meet his,
ind pause ensues; but then a pause
has been ensuing ever since we met
or-that is-came together.
81 hope I am not taking you out of
your way" add. with q happy inspir-
stiOn.
%''Not at ALL" he rejoins, earnestly.
4 trust you will allow me TO see you
% your destination"
You are very kind. I am going to
nina hun1rod ond <-nnkr.anv>,, y. ~,