The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-23
The Technique Of Proposing.
From the New York Evening Post.
Three Parts.)

were blighted forever. He had Just asked
a girl to marry him and had been re-
jected. She was nice girl; he had known
her for three years and for two Of them
he had been, in his subconsciousness, look
ing forward to this day---not this day as Il
had turned out, but as it ought 10 have
turned out. When ne came to Fifth ave-
nue. ne paused an instant, debating wheth-
er TO go down to his club or up to the
park. For some reason the club seemed
to offer fewer attractions than usual, ana
he concluded TO go UP.
II was a perfect January day, clear and
crisp. There were more carriages in the
park than usual, and Kendall knew good
many of the occupants. AS ne recognized
the various familiar faces under the nod
ding expanses Of flowers and plumes, and
raised his hat in acknowledgment OF the
different smiles of greeting directed his
way, il occurred TO him how self-possessed
women always were; how self-possessed
she was, back there in the parlor in Fifty
seventh street, while he was all tangled
up in his rhetoric and oratory. He absent
ly seated himself on one of the wooden
benches provided for the delectation OF
weary pilgrims, and, regardless of park
regulations. began 10 flip OFF with his cane
the ends of some of the prescribed ''twigs"
near by; his face redGening again as ne
recalled her GOODNESS and composure when
he had intimated that her refusal struck
the sun from his heaven and made his fu-
ture blank.
ITS delightful to sit down for little
while and cool off, after walking in this
sultry weather. don't you think?" said
fresh, cordial young voice at his elbow;
and, turning, he became aware OF the fact
that Hope Brewster had taken the vacant
place beside him, and was smiling across
al his out Of her frank, clear eyes; dis
arming smile that he could not resent even
in his present mood Of cynical detection.
Hope was different from the other girls,
more original, independent, and individual.
She had grown up with boys and could
do all the things they could. She did
things now that a girl of a less secure
social position could not have dared do;
the Miss Brewster" part of her name
covered the multitude of little sins against
conventionalties which were committed
by Hope" She was a girl whom the
young men all liked, but never made love
to. She sat beside Kendall now as natural
ly and unconcernedly as If she had been
a fellow member of one of his clubs. She
wore a military coat with tu-ned-up col
lar, and sailor hat that always had
jaunty look on her bright head.
Isn't 1t a beautiful day?' she inquired,
invitingly, gazing with interest at the pass
ers-by.
Fine" assented Kendall with the enthu-
siasm of the menagerie polar bear in
July.
Lots Of people out" pursued the young
lady cheerfully. tapping her small boots
briskly on the pavement to keep up circu-
lation.
mo end" agreed Kendall. without man.
ifesting disproportionate degree OF
warmth on the subject.
Don't seem TO be very jolly this after
noon. Has anything gone wrong?' was
Miss Hopes next venture, as she turned
square around and gave him the benefit
OF one of her level, direct chances.
That's the time You were mistaken"
SAID her companion with some stiffness;
81 was never in better spirits in my life"
Hope smiled at him.
They seem like good spirits" she OBJ
served; "the mirth and hilarity exhibited
by the plumes on a hearse. I'll tell you
what I believe the trouble with you is,
Jack. You have been proposing 10 Made
line Arnold and she has refused you.''
If Kenda1rs ancestors who fought in the
Revolution (thus kindly emitting their de-
scendants to belong to the Order OF
"Son's'D had been less numerous by one,
he would have been unable TO stand this
sudden audacious fire without fiinching.
But blood Will tell, when = is really blood
and not simply the colorless sap of hypo-
thet.c pedigree trees, and the young man
did not turn renegade at the first danger
signal.
What makes you think SOP" he inquir-
ed with a passsb BILE show of indifference.
why" explained Hope, nothing daunt-
ed, tits one of those things that are
automatic. 1 can't tell you any reason; I
simply know that nothing short of being
a rejected sutton could possibly bring you
to the dismal pass / see you in today.
And when We get that far, the rest is
plain sailing; for every one has known for
a year and more that your heavenly con-
stellation have risen and set in a certain
house two blocks from the park, and that
to all other luminaries you were totally
blind. She's lovely girl, Jack. She's my
best friend and I am on your side. Now,
what made her refuse you?''
'Why, of course" said Kendall, yielding
before the superior facts of the enemy
with something like relief; for after ALL
there was melancholy comfort in talking
with a sympathetic and comprehending
soul like this. why, of course I'm not
half good enough for her, and"
well, you knew that before, didn't |
rou?" interrupted Miss Hope sharply; |
and yet you went ahead and asked her
lust the same. You thought she would |
give you a different answer. You know |
you did,
81 hoped" began Kendall correct |
ngly.
Precisely. You hoped she was not ad- |
verse to you. and every one else thought |
20. I thought SO. The course OF true love |
progresses with ideal smoothness up 70 |
he point today, and then everything sud- |
lenly goes 20 pieces without warning. |
There must be some reason for this, and |
[ can think OF only one that is supposable: |
you must have done il wrong"
Done it wrong?" repeated Kendall stu
,idly. Done what wrong"
The asking, of course. You must have |
gone az !, in some senseless way that spoil |
d everything. I haven't a doubt OF it |
myself" and Hope smiled blandly az some |
me she knew in a cart that was passing.
Ind looked as II she were saying she had /
made a bowling score Of tive hundred and |
fifty.
But" protested the young man. reused /
" various considerations ard differences
o indignant combativeless. granting
what You seem so sure OF. that I have
made a fool OF myself. you don't mean
o tell me that a moments stupidity, a
usual blunder, would upset a girls entire
opinion OF 2 man? That Is a little TOO
much, Miss Hope. even from you
1T does seem queer" Hope admitted.
ardidly; but you know We women aren't
lways swayed by reason. but often by I
hat indsfinahle thing which Is called by
u sorts ot names. from .n-uL.inn % IN |