The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-07-19
MAGNETIC ATTRACTION.

uSly, Ignl uOWn, lnulSputaDly ugly.
There isn't regular feature in my
face. | am short, thick-set and i'll
made; my bearing is by no means dig
nified-how could 1t be?-and when 1
happen 70 have my hat on one side. and
my clothes begin to look little bit
shabby-well my best friends tell me
l look for all the world veritable
bounder.
And yet | triumph in 1t all. look
at myself in the glass and say to my
self, You; yes, you with the long Ian
tern jaw and the still longer nose you
have won the ,oveliest creature on
earth, a woman who could have had
any man in her set she chose, a woman
as beautiful and as good as an angel.
How you could have done it, Ted
Hatherway nobody is so profoundly
puzzled as yourself"
| first met her at ball given by
friend of mine. Dances were not in
my line for the very good reason that
l couldn't dance, but | went partly 10
please my old friend and schoolmate.
Bob Leighton. and partly TO assist in
the responsibility of NJ C. 1t was
there that | was struck with her
beauty and her great popularity.
Three weeks after that proposed TO
her and was accepted. However
could have the audacity l can not i'm
agine, but ! blurted it all out like big
schoolbOy without any reason or self
restraint inwardly cursing myself for
my presumption all the time. Yet
won where all the handsomest and
richest men of my acquaintance had
failed. How was it? That | could
not tell. for Olive was as profoundly
puzzled as myself.
/ remember one afternoon soon after
the engagement. when l called upon
her TO take her for n walk. She was
quite ready except for the task OF sew
ing new flower in the dainty hat she
wanted to wear. | sat and watched
her as she piled her needle and thread
She appeared to be quite thoughtful
knitting her pretty brows together as
if she was engaged upon some difficult
problem.
Presently she looked up and scanned
my face intently. Whatever makes
me like You so much TedT' she said,
with sudden petulance.
The unfavorable scrutiny Of my I'M
fortunate features somewhat hurt my
feelings.
"Oh, why does a girl like any fel-
lOwY" | said evasively.
But you must know there is n diff
ference" said my fiancee. persistently.
You must know yourself that you
have very little to recommend you
You are old. fat. short, and awfully
plain, and. yes-I can see that you are
actually getting bald on top. and if
there is anything | object to, it is a
man whose head shines on top as if it
had been studiously polished
I'm very sorry" | said, penitently.
81 might try ratchO for my hair and
dock off buildings for my figure I'm
desperately fond OF puddings but any
sacrifice | viii bind myself 10 make for
your sake. Say the word and III get
a mask and exchange our tandem for
one with the mans seat behind"
Don't be absurd" said Olive, laugh
ing in spite of herself. But YOU know,
Ted it is funny"
What is funny? | made reply.
"That / should be bald fat and ugly?"
mo. stupid, but that | should be
willing to marry and even look for
ward to spending my existence with a
man who has so many personal disad-
vantages."
Here was food for reflection. Evil
IDENTIFY the penitent tack didn't answer.
and determined 10 assume superior
air.
"H-m," | began. 1T may seem
strange 10 you. but | dare say many
people would be able TO understand"
What do you mean?" said Olive,
sharply, staying her needle and look
ing up inquiringly.
| was bent on having a little re-
venge.
"Wel. il is rather difficult to ex-
plain" l began. You see, am man."
"WellT
"And you know every girl can't get
as much as man." remarked, sagely.
The poor bonnet fell unheeded to the
floor and Miss Olive started up with
dangerously flashing eyes.
What can you mean?' she ex-
claimed, angrily. do you mean to in
sinuate that -"
81 mean to insinuate nothing" l put
in, consolingly. II only mean TO say
that when girl gets-well-wello on to
the 25's and looks 30"
Here my fancee stopped my re-
marks with "a tiny appraised hand. and,
controlling her temper with an effort,
drew herself up haughtily and coldly.
"Mr. Hatherway," she said, 81 see
you are bent on insulting me, and /
beg you will leave my house this in
slant, for l will not lower my dignity
any longer by suffering myself to re-
main in your presence"
oh, I thought, can put on the high
and mighty afr, too, so / bowed with
the utmost Difference and spoke with
the grave decision of the seventeenth
century gallant.