Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-05-03
THE OTHER MAN.

W hat l need, said Betty, lis adj
vice"
Most women need it," / answered,
but they don't take it,
Betty shrugged her shoulders "a
man." she announced, slowly, has asked
me to marry him-a nice man."
If | had asked you to marry me.
should not be pleased that you advised
| with another man."
1T would certainly be in questionable
taste"
Your taste is impeccable," said 1.
But if | need adviee?" mused Betty
the FIRST thing to find out" said l.
ludlcialiy, is whether he can keep you
I had thought
What Z"
That the first thing was whether he
loved me-"
You have been reading books said |.
Books will tell you that. But the wise
woman knows that the really important
| thing is the hats"
We'll, suppose he c0uld?" said Betty
Would he chuekle when you asked
him to enjoy Mr.. Howells' phrase about
the innocently adventuring, unconscious
ly periculant American Maiden or
would he look dazed?'
Betty bubbled. MIR. Howells is dear"
.
to like him? / had thought"
WHAT?
THAT if l loved the man l married."
Books again." sald i.
Stevenson says" put in Betty, "that
if your wife likes Topper it is no mat
ter"
'He said nothing about the husband,
which proves that he knew it would mat
ter
well, it looks-that is. think We
should agree on Howels," laughed Betty.
| stroked my chin. II trust" said /,
that he is careful about his boots?"
Betty looked at mine. II have noticed
that yours are always polished" she
said.
in the essentials he seems quite an
eligible person." | concluded.
You are not interested in his looks?"
a minor matter" said |, waving my
hand.
''Or his manners?"
They can't be altogether bad if you
tolerate him."
His moralsT
''In this" said 1, marriage is guess
One shuts ones eyes and trusts in Provi
dence.'
You're a cynic," said Betty. Hes
NICE
Then marry him."
you've never asked if he loves me.
You think that doesn't matterY'
| leaned my head on my hand. 'sper-
haps after all it does matter; perhaps 1t
matters more than anything else. If /
only knew the man."
II have known him long time"
Then you are the best witness. DO
you think he loves your
II have heard him say so"
DO you think 500" said | severely.
1T. would be unkind not to believe
him."
Let us assume that he does"
But it doesn't matter whether / love
him? p
Perhaps, after all. it does matter"
said L. perhaps he cares a lot, and
wants you TO care; perhaps he would
think he had failed in everything if
he couldn't make you care; perhaps
Dear me" said Betty, Its 4
o'clock. Won't you ret me the tea ball
Il know you want tea"
got the little silver ball, and handed
it to her.
Il was just going TO say" said Bet
ty. THAT perhaps he wouldn't mind if
didn't answer him at once"
1T is for you to decide"
If we are old friends, very old
friends, and if J should be sorry to lose
him, and il like him as well as anybody
else, don't You think he might be salts
fed to come on just as he has been COM
ng?"
'That is matter for him." said /.
but what do you thinky'
''Of course" said /, ''if he cannot sit
in the garden he must be satisfied to look
at the flowers over the WALL" and with
the words | picked up my hat
'Hon're not goingT said Betty.
''lt is time" said |.
Il think III take your advice about
this--the other man."
MY adyicev
I'll think / shall be very nice to him."
YES"
Yes, and let him take me to dances
often"
Yes"
And to the Jumping-off place to see
sunsets
Yes"
"And ! shall make tea for him"
Il hope he'll not be bad-humored over
it."
Doubtless" said l, ''he will nut the
best face on the matter possible. Good
by"
Goodhy; You're coming to tea to,
morrow
shall II"
''Oh, of course; you and are going
to be just as good friends as ever. 1t
won't matter about the other man."
Won't it?' said /.
hope you're not going TO let it mat
ter"
I'm try not to-" said frederick NJ.
-. l.