The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1902-01-15
LESSON IN REJECTING
BY w. HI. LANCASTER. /

copyrighted by Daily Story Pub. Col
"Sit down. What will you take?"
Nothing, thanks.
"Nothing?'
81 m on my way uptown.
''My word for it, Scott, you make an idiot
Of yourself about that wife Of yours. 2 @
Scott laughed good-naturedly.
''When mans as happy as. 1 am, old fel.
low, he can afford to be idiotic.'
AS youlike. This is pretty fair Old Chick
asaw.''
Il dare say. Honestly, Boston, I don't
think it's decent for man to kiss the
woman he loves with whisky on his
breath
Possibly. AS I am not expecting to do
any kissing, I will enjoy my cocktail
"Wel, 1 wouldn't exchange pleasures
Tastes differ. How long were you in love
before you made up your mind toto &C.
knowledge it 90
"Not long. And I'll tell you this: After
you have once said I love her to yourself,
it will never be long before you are saying
I love you to somebody else. =
mot unless feel pretty safe, [ guess.
"Under any circumstances. Even If you
are dead sure of being rejected. Uncertain
ty is ruin. It will break down your con-
stitution. 1t will break down your business
quicker than all the trusts and corners in
the United States
Boston smiled sourly as the two men
moved away. He had caught sight of his re-
Election in the pier-g lass opposite. Hanged
ii | don't look hipped," he said to himself.
''I'll be facing flank movement of univer-
sal specifics and cure-alls if my friends get
hold of it. Something must be done.' He
pushed aside the decanter and lighted a
cigar well, if rejection will help the
cause, it is easily obtained. | guess six
words will settle it, Half an hour later
he looked at his watch, lighted another
cigar and went out Driskly.
AS he neared his destination Boston
walked faster, holding his head rather high
and swinging his cane buoyantly. A shrewd
cid business man WAC met him wondered
if that fne-loolling young fellows affairs
were in bad shape 'He looks mortgaged up
to the last cent" he muttered. However,
the spurious blitheness passed counter with
Bridget.
Sure, sir and she'd be down already, I'm
thinking, if she knew you were here, she
volunteered, as she ushered him into the
parlor.
Boston moved restlessly about the room.
His hands were cold and he looked at his
watch frequently. The odor Of that last
cigar seemed to have saturated his clothes.
Tobacco was about as disgusting as whisky
on the breath when He interrupted him
self with a sarcastic smile. As rule, L
believe, it is not considered good form to
kiss the woman who rejects YOU. 1t was
unfortunate that even tne thought OF kiss
ing her should have come to him Just then.
1t made him nervous. He took out his
handkerchief and wiped his mustache care
fully. The next instant he flushed hotly.
What fool he was. There was no per-
fume on the handkerchief, anyway. He had
always detested such foppery in men. Curse
it all! Since he was man, he might as
well act like one He sat down in an easy
chair opposite the door and forced himself
to take natural attitude. Resting his
right elbow on the arm of his chair and
twirling his mustache thoughtfully, he felt
that he looked composed. He had come to
be rejected-nothlng more. In the next
five minutes Boston Mathews looked at his
watch only ten times.
His attitude deceived the girl, and she
greeted him easily.
Il was unwilling to keep you waiting, but
I was writing a letter for mother, and I
trusted to you being so much at home here
as not to feel annoyed, she exclaimed.
I'VE have been friends a long time,
haven't we?'
He stood near her and spoke quietly, but
that uneasy right hand worked nervously
at his nucn-enduring mustache
Eyes, indeed. Won't you have seat?'
'.No, thank YOU" He took out his watch.
"Why, are you in hurry"
''No, at least No; that is. I'm in no
hurry. I just wished to have few quiet
words with you. 1t is what most friendships
between men and women come to- | expect
The truth is, Alice, | came here this even
ing toto he paused and looked search
ingly into her frank, wide-opened eyes, .sto
be rejected, he finished, desperately.
4 subtle change came over her face.
What was II? In the passing of a breath
she had placed thousand miles between
them. The strong hand that caressed the
mustache blundered about its work. Bos-
ton waited a moment to steady himself.
1T is a rejection, isn't lt?' he asked
quietly.
Certainly her lip curled.
Thank You. But he was no longer nerv-
Gus. A dumb anger took possession OF him
on have managed TO hurt me pretty
badly. For the sake of the man who is to
come after me, | should like to offer few
remarks: May IL
why, of course.
"Eirst, then. when man tells woman
that he loves her he pays her the most ear.
nest compliment manhood is capable of.
The least she can do, whether she appre-
ciates it or not, is to receive it in WON
anly way. Second, you need not look out
the window mean that you shall hear
this. To be scornful and curt in the pres
ence of another's pain is never admirable.
But when that pain is caused by the yearn-
ing of love that will not be set aside-a
love which your own hand has fostered; to
be scornful then betrays the utter worth
lessness of your womanhood
Alice bit her lip, and, turning abruptly,
walked to the window. Boston followed
her and stood with his hands thrust into
his trousers pockets, staring moodily at
the tossing flowers. Z suppose ought to
apoIogize for nv harshness Marba + .r-;Il