The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-13
A GIRLS MIND.

to congratulate the lady, is it2
Kitty-Sisters don't expect compn-
ments. fortunately, but really thought
you liked Harry Baxter immensely.
Jack-Did your
Kitty (still nervously)-Yes,I did, and
I'm sure he's very nice and very good
sort. Every one says so.
Jack-Do they?
Kitty-Yes, they do, and so you ought
to like him, and-and-weIl, think I'm
very lucky girl.
Jack-An girls say that. It's part Of
the formula. Baxter is probably telling
his friends that he's the luckiest man in
the world. not that 1 disagree with him,
of course-thats part of the mans formu-
La, you know-and it isn't likely that
you've both made such an out of the way
bargain.
Kitty deciding to make an appeal ad
miserioordiam) Yes, but, Jack, aren't
you going to congratulate me? Naturally
expected my brothers good wishes for my
happiness almost first of all, and-and
(breaks down a little fictitiously)-
Jack-My dear girl, if you're happy, of
course I'm simply delighted. How could
be otherwise?
Kitty (still atisfed)-That's little
cold, isn't it?
blackwell, I don't see how I could
well say much more.
Kitty Cmpetuously) Jack, you dislike
Harry. You-you hate himi I do be-
ieve you hate himi
Jack-No, don't.
Kitty-Oh, do be sensible, theni What
do you mean?
Jack-Really, I don't quite know. I've
scacrel- had time to grasp the situation
yet. I think, perhaps, Pm just little
more amused than anything else.
Kitty-Amused at your sisters engage
mentl Well, really, jack, didn't expect
BREAKS off upon sudden intuition.) Oh,
know. You are still sore about that alb
surd little friend of yours, MIR. Whitei
Jack with brazen untruthfdlness)-I
wasn't thinking of him a bit, but you
have mentioned it do think you treated
him rather badly.
Kitty-Ridiculous personl
Jack-You never let him know you
thought SO till he proposed to you.
Kitty-Of course not never dreamed
of his having the impudence to do such
thing.
lakeland yet by that very impudence
he paid you the greatest possible compli-
| ment in the world.
Kitty-Absurd creaturel
Jack (righteously) "A girls mind beats
| me. However little you might have felt
| disposed to accept the offer
Kitty-Very little disposed, assure
| you.
Jack-I should have thought that you
would have felt yourself under certain
| obligation to him, at all events grateful
for his admiration.
Kitty-Of course not
Jack-I know, but 1 don't understand
1t. If were girl. should feel like that,
I'm sure. It would be only decent, and
| well-the sporting thing to do. (Sardon-
! ically) At least l suppose you don't in
clude his taste in your general condemHa-
| ton?
Kitty--I simply regarded him as imper-
| tinent.
| Jaok-Wasn't Baxter impairment?
Kitty-No. That's very different.
| Jack-But is it SO very different? Now,
If you had fulfilled your original ideals
Kitty-What ideals?
Jack (relentlsssly)- the artillery
| officer with the Victoria cross, the honor
able saber cut and the numerous other
| decorations
Kitty-I said all that when was a
child.
Jack-Let's see. What is Baxterp
Kitty-Hes in business.
Jack-What?
Kitty - A large drapery business,
| wholesale, of course, but it's not, after
| ALL what he is
Jack-But what he isn't
Kitty Cirrelevantly)-You are pleased,
| Jack, aren't you?
Jack-Are you very fond of himP
Kitty (shyly)-Yes, very. Wellf
Jack (who secretly has no great opinion
| of Baxter, and has blackballed him before
now at the club)-Of course am pleased,
dear, if you are kissing herr. 1 have no
doubt Baxter is a very good fellow indeed.
| Sorry 1 don't know him better. He's not
| the man I thought you'd marry; that's
all.
Kitty-why notP
Jack (vaguely)-Oh, L don't know.
Well, for one thing he's been hanging
around for a long time, and 1 thought at
fic,10 fr,16 IL bod
Kitty may have said SO. didn't un-
| derstand him then.
Jack-He's made you understand him,
| Kitty, that's what it is. Fact is (rashly
| venturiDg on general principle) that any
man can marry any woman he pleases if
he can put up with some snubbing to be-
| gin with. You've backed down bit, you
know, Kitty, and there's no man who
can't simply year down opposition if he
| tries long enough
Kitty-Nonsensel Sheer nonsensel (Tri-
| umphantly.) How about Mr. White, then?
Jack-He made the mistake of taking
| your refusal quite seriously, poor chap.
Kitty (indignantly)-I should hope he
did.
Jack Frightening up)-By Jove, shall
never make that mistake.
Kitty (laughing)-I think you've made
| it already.
Jack (rather confused) - You mean
| about Ethel Graham?
Kitty-Of course 1 do. You know quite
| well Ethel will never have you. She's told
| me as much ever so often.
Jack-Oh, know she carries her bead
! pretty high. It's true she simply wouldn't
| look at me last year, but perhaps this year,
| or next year, or even the year after that,
| or if not then, why
| Kitty Shaking her head)-I don't think
so.
Jack (smiling)-well, we1l setback
| and White.