Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-08-20
MONTHS AFTERWARD

'Gossip-it's q confounded nuisance,
that's what ! call it! Why can't they
let Us alone? / am accustomed to any
amount of gossip People must have
something TO talk about, and I'm sure
I'm delighted to be able to afford them
any amusement, but when it comes to
being smacked on the back and congrat-
ulated six times IN one afternoon, it's
coming it q bit too strong. Idon't mind
for my own sake-a man can look after
himself-bnt I'm thinking Of you. I
was in hopes that you had not heard +"
mot heard, indeedi had two let.
tiers this morning and three this after.
noon-fonr wanting to know when the
wedding was to be and the fifth from a
girl asking to be bridesmaid I am
afraid to go out People fly at me at
every corner, shake my hand off and say
how delighted they are and how charm
ing 1t is and how they always knew it
would come to this and that we are
made for one another-they never did
know two people SO exactly suited"
Extraordinary! That's what they
say to me. ] never was 50 taken aback
in my life. Of course, we've always
been good friends butt
Certainly not"
"Aud I don't thiukn-
"Neither do L It's absurd Utter
nonsenseP'
"No, but really-let Us have it out
while we are about it. What can have
given rise to such ridiculous report:
We have been good deal together, Of
course, because we are in the same set,
and always seem to hit It off, and you
are such jolly good dancer and all
that kind of thing, but can see what
we have done to set people talking at
this rate. Honestly, now am anxious
to know--did you ever imagine-that
is to say, did you think--I mean, have
/ ever
you never havel No, Captain May,
and have never imaginedl On the con-
trary I DON'T mind admitting now that
we are upon the subject that / have
cherished secret grudge against you
because you have never given me an op-
portunity of refusing you. That sort Of
neglect rankles in a wo1nan's g mind, and
now you see foF yourself the awkward
position in which it has placed me.
When people ask if am engaged to
you, am obliged 10 confess that have
never been asked. You ought to have
thought Of this and provided against it.
It would have been so easy some night
at ball, or in an interval at the thea
ter--the whole thing might have been
over in five minutes-and then should
have been able to say that had refused
yuu, and everything would have been
happy and comfortable don't feel as
If could ever forgive your'
''Sorry, indeed! You see. should
have been most. happy, only ] could
never feel quite sure that You really
would re-
How odious you are! You need not
have been afraid; there never was any.
thing more certain since the beginning
OF the world 1 wouldn't marry you to
save your lifel would as soon think OF
falling in love with the man in the
moon! We have always been friends, of
course, but that counts for nothing.
One may like person very much and
yet find it quite impossible to go any
farther. I could better love horse
. mani
"Same with me! I think no end Of
you, but when Lewis came and congrat-
ulated me the other day ! was struck
all of heap If he had said the same
thing about dozen other girls should
have been less surprised, but it never
occurred 10 me to look upon you in that
light"
''Oh, indeed! I'm swfully obliged,
I'm sure, but don't think much Of
your taste. There are dozen other men
who wouldn't agree with you; that's
one comfort As am SO utterly repul-
sive In your eyes ] think had bettel
say Good afternoon at once and re-
lieve you Of my presence. "
What nonsense you talk! never
said word about your appearance that
I know Of That's the worst of arguing
with woman; she flies off at a tangent,
and there's no doing any good with her.
/ don't see why you should be offended
You seemed 10 think it quite as impos-
sible to fall in love with me-
'+Ttat's different. 7 mean I dom Z
care what you think, but other people
think--that's 10 say, have always been
told Some people think I am very nice,
if you don't / think it's perfectly hate
full of you to say such things I should
like to know, just as matter ofscurios-
ity, what it is in me you object to 50
much"
"You won'ttlike it, you know, when
you do hear; you'll be in bigger rage
than ever. Much better leave it alone.
Well, if you will have it, I dislike the
way. you do your hair Wait a moment.
1t means more than you think. It Is
not only ugly in itself, but it shows q
fatal want of perception. Your beauty
III you will allow me 70 say so--ts Of
o classic order, and If you adopted q
more. natural style of coiffure your ap-
pearance would really beer Suncoxl-
monty fetching. Stead Of that you
persist in following o hideous. exaegera-
tion of fashion, which destroys your IN
dividuality and is utterly unsuited to
your style 1t seems small thing in
itself, but it has farreaching conse-
quences The moment we meet notice
it, don't you know, and feel annoyed
The whole time ] am with you am
worrying about it ItSsets up chronic
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