The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-06-26
An EXCELLENT REASON
Being a Woman, Winifred Was Not
Apt at Giving Reasons, So a
Man Helped Her Out.

Apt at Giving Reasons, So a 4
Man Helped Her Out. y
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Aaf4a;AaSsAacsAafae
els it something immensely impor-
tant?" I asked as Winifred looked up
with a number Of wrinkles on her fore
head.
Immensely" she said, with a sigh.
"Are you writing a poem?"
Nothing could possibly be more pro-
sale"
"Then 1 may be able to help you," 1
suggested.
Certainly not" she exclaimed, and
she instantly covered her sheet Of pa
per with the blotting pad. "That," she
added, would be too ridiculous"
"Now, why is the idea of my helping
you ridiculous?" 1 demanded.
"Well, it is"
"a woman's reason!"
"At all events" she insisted, 81 must
write the letter myself"
"Whom is it fort" 1 ventured to ask.
"Lord Garfield"
81 wasn't aware you correspondent" !
suggested.
och, we don't. At least he has never
written to me BEFORE" she answered.
"And so you find Lord Carfeld's let
ter difficult to answer?" l asked.
Winnie sat with her right elbow on
the edge of the plotting pad, her eyes
fixed on the window, a charming air of
self consciousness on her small face. A
tress of her hair fell forward owe her
forehead, which was still wrinkled.
Suppose you let me tell you what to
say" l proposed, standing with a hand
on her chair.
"Oh, l | know what to say"
"Then where's your dificulty?" I de
manded.
Eat least l think l do, only I don't
know how to put it."
"well, you see, that's where 1 might
come in"
sit has nothing-nothing in the world
to do with you," she said, rising i'm.
pulsively.
II am not quite sure of that"
"But l am perfectly sure" she insist
ed.
Nov, you were to take me into your
confidence as far as to show me Car.
fields letter."
."Of course 1 shall do nothing Of the
kind" she retorted.
"Then l must try to guess its con.
tents"
"You could never guess" cried Win
ME decidedly.
"He wishes you to marry him."
said.
Winnie turned upon me with an ex.
preston of complete surprise.
"Why, how did you know that?" she
exclaimed, with a fierce flush.
"You see, / happen to possess a pail
of eyes,"
II am sure 1 have never done a thing
to lead you to think that"
"Still it might have led others, espe
cially Garfield, you know"
81 think that's very horrid of you
she said, sitting down again, with 8
pout on her lips.
"Then Garfield has really asked you
TO marry him /" L asked.
isn't it a nuisance" she cried, lift
ing her eyebrows with an air Of ex
IRENE p%erplexity.
"Well, that's all right" 1 said.
"What ISL" she demanded.
$50 that you think It's a nuisance?"
"Well, it is" she answered. "All my
people are bothering me about it. They
want me to-
"They don't want you to marry tn,
mani" l cried.
"They insist there's no reason why
shouldn't" said Winnie, with a harass
ed expression.
ooh, but there's the most excellen'
reason" 1 urged.
ooh. do tell me what it isl" she plead
ed hopefully.
II said 1 could help you"
"But how" she cried.
"Talle a fresh sheet Of paper and {
new nib" l suggested, 'then I'll die
tate your answer. Now then," l die
tated, "'Dear Lord Garfield p
give put that"
THANK you very much.'"
ooh, | can't begin in that way" So,
objected.
"Well," said, "we'll try again
Dear Lord Garfield, l am deeply hon
pred by your request"
Winnie put the end of her pen be
tween her teeth and turned toward M,
with a doubtful air.
"You know" she said, 81 don't reall,
feel honored at all"
"Of course lot. It's a mere matter
of form. Now. then, were not gettinl
on. 4 am deeply honored by your re
quest, but l regret to tell YOU ="
II must know what Pm going 20 tel
him first" cried Winnie, pausing again
81 regret to tell you that an, qua
BILE to consider it =
"But did-very seriously" sh. tp
sisted.
"Oh. WELL" l said, "of course if W,
really care for the fellow