New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
A CURIOUS COURTSHIP.
From Punch.
PerSOnn.

Persona.
Blanche Alder CD Enid FORSYTH (3O
fIeudy Alder 90 Cecil CaringtOn (2S).
Scene-A bright little drawing room in May
fair, Blanche Alder who is the only daugh-
ter of a fascinating widower, is surrounded
by floral tributes and other presents in
honor of her twenty-.irst birthday. She is
reading to herself a telegram that runs as
follows:
1T is better l should never see you again.
Better so perfect ideal should remain a Wis
ion. Only, should see more of each other. it
might lead to anguish and despair for me- Do
not even answer this; it is better So. GoOdby.
Iiepy paid. Cecil CaringtOn, VictOria-st.'
Footman (announcing)-M Forsyth.
Enter Banche's greatest friend
Blanche Ghiding the teIegram)-oh, how are
you. darling?
Enid taking off her furs, with quick glance
round)-What is the matter. Blanche? Is any
thing wrong?
Blanche-I am rather worried. dear Can 1
trust you?
Enid Teproachfully)-Oh Blanche,
blanche (apolosetcally)-It's such n great
secret, dear! About my brother-poor little
Freddy-you know He's spending the holidays
with Uncle Savile. He wants In marry. lie
wants to marry Carrie Floyd and he has asked
me To lend him IL shiliings.
Enid-ls that enough TO marry ono
Blanche-oh, Of course mott But ne says that
doesn't matter. She has such a splendid salary
at the Tiv-where she sings. you know. Classi-
cal concerts Besides, dear. think, She is mar
ried already. and has six children. And, then
the disparity Of age. She is forty-six and he is
blind 10 the facts-but it's real love the sort of
thing you read Of in books
Euid-Or newspapers.
Bianche-Yes and he can't live without her
oh, think how papa will! And such a differ
ence in age!
Enid think nothing Of that 1t is often done
nowadays But if she is married already there
seems no Canger of its coming off. | can't
sympa hiZe very much.
Misunderstanding Enid How sensible and
soothing you always are!
Enid-And is that all@
Blanche-Nery nearly. 1t was papa who gave
me this bracelet for my birthday.
Enid-And. of course. you didn't appreciate it,
How little You care for diamonds!
Blanche-They last long,
Enid-You would give all your Jewels for
mass If gardenias. Ald who sent the gardenias
and orchids
Blanche-Young Reeves He thinks am a
heartless. sophisticated woman Of the world, ana
disapproves of me. but says have morbid
attraction for him. The rusebuds from old
Mr.. COulston He says I'm refrcshinEIy sim
pie and innocent, it's quite a treat 10 meet that
sort Of girl nowadays And he begins = long
letter-a sort of patroniZing proposal-with My
Dear Young Lady; May an old friend of the
family venture" and on-you know the kind
OF thing. Isn't it funny. to be 50 different with
different people? And how one help it? /
suppose it's the point Of view.
Enid-And the attitude Is that new photo
graph of Arthur? It's rather fattered.
Blanche-Ah. You see. he took IL himself. And
he photographs so well-too Well lie does every
thing so well | think that's what ] don't Ike
about him
Enid can't imagine. Blanche. why You don't
marry him and-and get IT over, He has every
thing in the world You'n never meet any ON"
nicer You've been followed about for the most
absurd length of time by these three admirers
old Mr.. Coulston, Bobby Reeves and Arthur
and it's time you decided. 1t would be such a
relief to my mind I'm always afraid you'll do
something idiOtic-I meant original. but its the
same thing. Do marry Arthur-please'
Blanche-Oh. / can't, He's too suitablet
Enid Rubbish, Besides If that's an ubjcc-
tion. he probably won't remain suitable. No
won't argue those grounds and won't listen
To such nonsense. He's handsome. enormously
rich. will have pretty name some day-hell
be Lord Lynnesede won't he?-and IS the best
fellow in the world. Also. well balanced and
the right age. Just what you need. The very
person
Blanche-PIease don't be irritating, Enid: and
it's no use saying more. because can't
mean, | Couldn't-if / wanted to. First, / said
l wouldn't marry him. and now he's turned
round. rather rudely, and said 'Al right, then
| won't marry you. So there
Enid Really blanche?
Blanche-Yes. dear. Here's his letter. CReads J
After what passed last evening, / beg to re-
linquish forever the honor tn which have been
aspiring 50 long. You know that | went to