Morris tribune., 1900-05-26
AN EXCELLENT REASON
Being Woman, Winifred Was Not
Apt at Giving Reasons, So
Man Helped Her Out.

e Man Helped Her Out. &
"Is it something immensely impor-
tant?" I 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-
sale"
"Then l may be able to help you," ]
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"
Nov, why is the idea of my helping
you ridiculousY' | demanded.
"Well, it is" s,..,.,
"a woman's reason!'
"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.
ooh, 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?" asked.
Winnie sat with her right elbow on
the edge of the plotting pad, her eyes
fixed on the window, 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
sayT proposed, standing with hand
on her chair.
ooh, know what to say"
'Then where's your dificulty?' de-
handed.
"At least think do, only don't
know how to put it,
We'll, you see, that's where might
come in"
''It has nothing nothing in the world
to do, with you," she said, rising i'm
pulsively.
81 am not quite sure of that"
'But 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 l. shall do nothing of the
kind" she retorted.
"Then l must try to guess it's con-
tents"
''You could never guess" cried Win
nie 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 fierce flush.
''You see, happen to possess a pair
of eyes"
81 am sure 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 a
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 perplexity.
"Well, that's all right" said.
what is ?" she demanded.
$50 that you think it's nuisance|
well it u.s." she answered. "All my
people are bothering me about it. They
want me to-
'"They don't want you to marry the
mani" l cried.
''They insist there's no reason why
shouldn't" said Winnie, with harass-
ed expression.
ooh, but there's the most excellent
reason" urged.
ooh, do tell me what it is!'' she plead
ed hopefully.
Il said could help you" ~
'But how?" she cried.
Take a fresh sheet of paper and a
new nib,' suggested, "then I'll dc
tate your answer. Now them" / die
tated, Dear Lord Garfield -
1--WE put that"
Thank you very much"
"oh, | can't begin in that way" she
objected.
well" said, wen try again.
Dear Lord Garfield, am deeply hon
ored by your request. -
Winnie put the end Of her pen be-
tween her teeth and turned toward me
with doubtful air.
S. ''You know she said, Il don't really
feel honored at all.
''Of course not. It's a mere matter
Of form. Now, then, we're not getting
on. i am deeply honored by your re-
quest, but regret to tell you ="
II must know what I'm going to tell
him first" cried Winnie, pausing again.
81 regret to tell you that am una
BILE to consider it -
"But did-very seriously" she in
cicfn7