Smyrna times., 1900-05-30
AN EXCELLENT REASON
Being Woman, Winifred Was Not
Apt at Giving Reasons, So a
Man Helped Her Out.

SsStt ss5tesSNss
'Is it something immensely impor
tant?' asked as Winifred looked up
with number of wrinkles on her fore
head.
Immensely" she said, with sigh.
care you writing a poem?"
Nothing could possibly be more pro-
safe"
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 reasonr'
"At all events" she insisted, 81 must
write the letter myself"
Whom is it for?" ventured to ask.
Lord Garfield"
81 wasn't aware you correspondent"
suggested.
''Oh, we don't. At least he has never
written to me before" she answered.
"And so you find Lord Carfield's let
ter difficult to answer?" asked.
Winnie sat with her right elbow on
the edge of the blotting pad, her eyes
fixed on the window, a charming air of
self consciousness on her small face. A
tress of her hair fell forward over her
forehead, which was still wrinkled.
Suppose you let me tell you what to
say?" proposed, standing with hand
on her chair.
'Oh, know what to say"
''Then where's your difficulty?" de-
manded.
"At least l think 1 do, only 1 don't
know how to put it."
"Well. you see, that's where might
come in"
1T has nothing-nothing in the world
to do with you," she said, rising i'm
puisively.
81 am not quite sure of that"
"But 1 am perfectly sure" she insist
ed.
"Now, you were to take me into your
confidence as far as to show me Car
fields letter.
"Of course shall do nothing of the
kind" she retOrted.
''Then 1 must try to guess it's con-
tents"
"You could never guess" cried Win
ME decidedly.
"He wishes you to marry him." l
said.
Winnie turned upon me with an ex-
preston of complete surprise.
''Why, how did you know thatY' she
exclaimed, with a fierce flush.
''You see, 1 happen to possess a pair
of eyes"
81 am sure l 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 g
. pout on her lips.
'"Then Garfield has really asked yot
to marry him?" l asked.
isn't it a nuisance?' she cried, lift
ing her eyebrows with an air of ex
treme perplexity.
"Well. that's all right" said.
What is?' she demanded.
$50 that you think it's a nuisance"
well. it is" she answered. "All m,
people are bothering me about it. The.
want me to-
'They don't want you to marry th
man, | cried.
= They insist there's no reason why
shouldn't" said Winnie, with harass
ed expression.
"Oh, but there's the most excellen
reason" urged.
"Oh. do tell me what it isv' she plead
ed hopefully.
II said could help you"
''But how?" she cried.
'Take a fresh sheet of paper and
new nib" | suggested, 'then I'll die
tate your answer. Now then" l die
tated, "'Dear Lord Garfield -
'I've put that"
"'Thank you very much"
"Oh, can't begin in that way" sh
objected.
"Wen," said, ''we'll try again
Dear Lord Garfield, am deeply hol
ored by your request"
Winnie put the end of her pen b.
tween her teeth and turned toward n
with a doubtful air.
"YOu know" she said, 81 don't real
feel honOred at ALL"
"Of course not. It's mere matte
Of form. Now, then, we're not gettir
on. L am deeply honored by your
quest, but / regret to tell you -
81 must know what I'm going to te
him first" cried Winnie, pausing agai
81 regret to tell you that am un
bic to consider IT -
But did-very seriously" she i
sisted.
"Oh, WELL" said, "of course If "
really care for the fellow
WellY' she cried provokingly.
Why, you may as well write the le
Ter without my interference"
That's what told you at first" sa
Winnie triumphantly.
think shall say goodby,"