Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-12-24

res, MISS 'CuSdHnnd, ne sara, j 10
not stand reluctant. for think If had
been more of Il fool in one regard would
nave been less of a fool in another That
is TO say, man is sool to waste his life
selfishly as have done"
This was the suspicious moment
Susanna had been seeking. She would
now lead right up to the matter and
find a listener to her proposal,
why don't you marry. Mr.. Culver?''
she asked, with directness. You are
not too wise TO consider the question
] hope"
Certainly not. Miss Susanna" he
smiled. i've been considering il for
20 years"
Then you ought to stop considering
it and pop it." Susanna laughed and
Mr.. Culver also.
Il hardly think I'll ever do that" he
said. seriously. Il wouldn't know how
to go about it. to make my case half
presentable. I've given myself up you
know, as bad job"
Some of these new women will be
charging down on you some of these
days, teaching you tine newer doctrine
that women have the right to say
whether you have the right TO do ms
you please with yourself. In other
words, some one of them will capture
you in spite of yourself"
Not much, they won't" asserted
Mr.. Culver, with a great show of cour.
age. If there is anything don't want
10 marry it's a woman with foolish no
tons Of that kind"
Susanna's heart went doWu TO her
shoes on the instant. Here was an 10
surmountable obstacle in her path. ami
with Mr.. Culver holding TO such AN
opinion, what good would a proposal
be from her. even il she should muster
up courage enough 10 make it. The
thought made her mute for a minute
and in that minute a new scheme came.
one that had been there before. too. but
had gone wool gathering while she was
beating about the brush with the new
woman idea.
Il think myself they are horrid.' she
said with an effort to swallow some
thing that would not go down very cas-
lily. "But there is the leap year priv
ilege. All women. new and old. can
claim that, and you mustn't forget that
this is leap year"
81 had forgotten it." he said, NOV
ing his chair into the far corner OF the
fireplace, but still not so far away that
he was out of the pleasant influence
of Susanna's nearnass. He sat there
for IN instant making himself SILVER
with terror. and then he moved back.
possibly little nearer than before.
"Forewarned is forearmed," she safd.
"and now that ! have told you of the
dangers ahead hope you will profit by
my advice"
"Oh. I'm not afraid" he asserted, in
u good voice, q IN Just waiting for that
sort OF thing The custom of tradition.
whatever you may cali it, is an old
fashioned cne. and only an old-fash
ioned woman would think of it, and
{ bat is the kind | want. So none Of
them had better try it unless she means
Surely no finer opening could be pre-
scented 10 young woman in her moud
than this. and Susanna gave herself
shake and took another long breath
The time had come, and she was not the
woman to lose 80 glorious an oppos
unity.
Mr.. Culver" She began, in a firm
voice and with great earnestness. Il
have for long time been thinking YOU
ought to marry aud have even gone
20 Car as 10 select just such woman as
I think would suit You. have had two
or three consultations with her, and
She is willing that should present the
matter TO you. because | know you so
vel, and you will understand it better
from me than If she should present i
herself"
When she was about TO proceed fur.
fher with her remarks Mr.. Culver
showed sings OF real anxiety and arose
10 his feet
Miss Susanna" he exclaimed. don't
say another word. Really, ! cannot
listen to it,"
"Bnt ! must saw it to YOU" she in
sisted. because, as it seemed to her. thai
VAS the proper way 10 conduct sue
.essful courtship. and now that She had
begun IL she most decidedly wished II
TO bc successful.
Il tell you | won't hear it. This is
entirely unexpected. and | am sure
nothing in my conduct has ever war
ranted YOU in broaching this subject
10 me-"
Mr.. Culver was very evidently in
earnest, and Susanna almost chuckled
10 herself for this was the very way
Dung women acted under the circum-
tances in which Mr.. Culver was placed.
vi It needed now was a little more
.oaxing. and Susanna nerved herself
'or the final pop.
Perhaps YOU have not thought so.
he said IN her softest voice. but to me
here has ever been a desire to say To
tou what ! am now saying. Mr.. Gull
.er-.Iohn." and Susanna came very
..ose to him, Notwithstanding she was
% nervous she hardly knew what TO do.
'IIold on. Susanna. bold on" he cN-
,laimed. "Confound it," (that shocked
,er for she knew no girl ever talked