Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-08-03

~ THE CENTURY CQg
OF my head since. 1t was sudden
enough, and I'm hit hard enough. I'm
going to put my system to work now
for all it's worth. . He turned back to
me, hitched his chair half around, so
that the distracting picture in the other
room was out of his range of vision.
and went on:
"You've heard that there is right
and wrong way of doing everything.
Well, my system is the one right way
OF going courting-when you re court
ing a woman, that is. I'm sorry it's
not fitted to be more use to you. I've
got faith in it, or I'd be- He shook
his head slowly in manner significant
of a most uncertain frame Of mind
"4ou can see with half an eye," he
continued in a moment, ''that that lit
tie thing there hasn't been put through
any mill that would make her think
put her on the lookout to get married.
She isn't that kind anyhow. That's
why-one why-I want her, and of
likely to get her. This worlds run that
way"
Bentley gazed far out of the window,
his upright red hair looking even more
astonished than usual as the counte-
nance it surmounted took on an uncom-
monty grim expression. Then, without
moving his head, he brought his eyes
back to mine, looking at me sidewise
with return Of something of his usual
twinkle. twinkle in eclipse. and de-
clared:
cts the system I'm asking you to
pay tribute to- I'm free to confess,
Miss Arlington here faint, incred-
ible shade of embarrassment seemed to
cross Bentley's countenance-''that /
never truly loved before, but yet
Bentley lifted and knitted his brows as
he scratched his head with one finger
and looked silently at me.
was constrained to say, 'sWhy, yes,
Mr.. Bentley, but yet -
"Egg-zactly, he answered heartily.
"You are the sort of person I like to
talk to. Well, now, my system is appli-
cable in dealing with any young lady
whose good will you wish to gain
whose good will you wish to gain,
I Bentley repeated frightening with en-
joyment of the felicity of this phrase.
GIVE had it in shape pretty nearly
ever since my coming out sociable at
Cranberry Center. Not with unvarying
success. l don't say that, but it's done
it's part, it's done it we'll. 1t isn't as if
professional beauty were using it ex-
actly. | know that. I have faith in it.
always have habitat is, but now
the sight Of that white mouse out there
takes all the starch out of me- Curious.
isn't it, though don't suppose
81 think. Mr.. Bentley" l interrupt
ed, "that you are talking against time
to put off telling me what your system
is y
"Get there every time. don't your
said Bentley, admiringly. Then fixing
queer look upon me, in which again
appeared that amazing suggestion of
shyness, he said slowly:
"Hang around and say nothing
! Hang around industriously pause
land say nothing, till more or less ur-
gently invited to. You press the button
and we do the rest These directions
are capable of so different adjustments
to suit the NEST complicated case.
Bentley was speaking these last SEN
fences half abstractedly and watching
my face anxiously.
AS the mystic significance of this
formula penetrated my brain 1 was
moved to mirth-mirth that was not
lessened by the fact that I was visited
by sudden illuminated vision of the
system s possible workings in practice
"a vision which at once convinced me
of its value.
wiped my eyes and gave my hand
to Bentley, assuring him that believed
he was master of great secret.
''You do really?" he broke forth
eagerly and seriously. "Say, Miss Ad-
dington, you wouldn't guy fellow in
my fix now, would you? That's only
the opening of the campaign, but that's
the great critical period, don't you
think? That's the merit of the system.
1t attacks the opposing sex Opposing
sex-not bad, is it ~ through their curl
osity. See? And they quit being so all
fired opposing early. Generally you
can count on 'em to become helpful
pretty soon-helpful in some degree
Then's the time for the next move I'm
not much at explaining these psyche
logical phenomena, but the SYSTEMS all
right. This conviction is arrived at
through priori reasoning and is con-
tirmed by subsequent observation.
Bentley stood up as he delivered this,
last sentence and looked down upon me
with pleasant combination of sad APP
peal and humorous patronage. He was
quoting from my maiden editorial,
document that had filled him with mys-
terious mirth
began to arrange my papers for de-
parture, assuring him in the meanwhile
of my good will toward his enterprise
That seemed the right word for it,
He apologized for taking so much of
my time and yet further explained his