The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-08-07
By ELLA W. PEATTIE.

Richard Dunkirk measured six feet and
two inches In his stocking feet, and could
without effort, expand his chest five and
half inches. He was not sure quite
how much he could lift, how long he could
run, nor how strong a man he could
throw, because his experience was natur-
ally limited. living as he did in the heart
Of a city. where the prOwesS of selfshness
and greed and the ability 10 grind were
the things which counted. He had never
forded a river or climbed a mountain
or faced the wilderness. He had never
killed a wild beast He had went his
quiet way from the house 10 the Office on
a warmed and lighted train, he pushed an
electric button when he wanted any ser
vice performed, and was prevented at
every turn from showing that he was at
all superior TO the common run of men.
But he felt that his superiority existed.
He was always expecting that his moment
would come, and then he would utilize
the yet INFESTED strength and courage
which were his. He had no doubt that
he would yet know the thrill which
heroes feel, And without being vain, il
would have been impossible for him 10
have been unconscious OF the great
beauty of his face and frame. When he
swung down the street men enyied him
for his vigor. When he played cricket,
or tennis or golf he knew just as well as
If he had been told, that he did IL with a
veyve which other men strOye in vain to
initiate. and which brought the admira-
ton Of the women frankly into their eyes.
He reckoned on this beauty and strength
and grace in helping him 10 win the love
Of AVice IngersOll. and cursed the fate
which made the modern wooing tame and
dull. Why was he not privileged to win
this lovely girl by the exercise Of courage
and skill? Had he chosen his century bet
ter he might have had her hand as the
trophy Of a successful joust. As 81 was,
there was nothing from which he might
even protect her The comfortable. we'll
ordered, lawful time. with its ingenuity
and wealth, was her shield and buckler.
her strong tower and fortress. He mad
nothing 10 do but tamely ask for her love.
which she gave with perfect readiness.
He was deprived even OF the excitement
Of overcoming her resistance. Truly. *
wa< plant age
Moreover. every one approved OF the en-
gagemenT. II was impossible 20 make an
emotional drama out Of the simple CON-
edy. They loved, they were engaged. they
were congratulated, uaatrons consulted
Ayice about her Intentions "a 70 a msa-
age, girls gave her iuncheOns. fellows en- I
tertatned him az bachelor breakfasts and l
when Ayice and ne were together she I
talked about her trousseau or he planned 4
their wedding Journey. The stress Of pas /
sion, the exquisite pain Of perting-he de- 4
sired nothing more, OK course. than one OF /
those tentative partiDss which l0yerr IN 4
search Of emotion affect-were all denied 4
him.
Al first II was pleasure 20 him 20 know 4
that Avice intensely admired his physical i
attraction. II she was yexed a, him he 4
had only 20 exercise a little patience and 4
she had forgiven him for the sake Of his \
smile and because Of that Astounding tf4- 4
umphanf strength OF bis. expressing Itself 4
IN fine outlines and IN movements OF srnce
and power. He attired himself very care
fully and selected arnLsernsfIts which would .
make MS visOr conspicuous. and he fsd .
on the admiration Of the girl ne loved ss
a bee feeds On honey.
The wedding dFeg near, and n seerned
as II the world OF material things was
giving the lovers the best = could Rich-
sra rrazt,s--d. and built a home and
within furnished II win glowing colors.
Presents were shOWsrsd upon hem The
Two appeared 70 BE- submerged in the
ulshingr. garments. flowers, plate. cryr-
taI-au % these beautiful creations were
theirs. and there seemed 10 be no time 10
think OF anything else.
The autumn came hard after summer
and drove her, bfeathiess, over the strick.
IN hills. Almost before the gFaper we've
ripe that year the frost came. So II hap.
pEned that. one morning. @hen Richard
aas going 10 ais KOrk ne siipiei on fha
inclined Sidewalk leading from the train-
ward to the street and rOlii-d under the f
engine OF one % the suburban trains
The bysiandeTs were actually lucreduious
for second Tic man had been -