Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-01-08
WHICH

Aninee sent for me, and 1 responded
at once.
| whats the matter"
WELL" she said, with rush, II have
had four proposals this week."
THAT seems good record. l don't
see anything to complain Of. suppose
you want my advice as to which to ac-
cept?"
| First, there's Jack Forde. We were
brought up together, you know" A
telltale flush spread over her face.
"She cares for him really" decided.
| "Well, when ones with Jack one does
like him dreadfully. He is so young
and high spirited and devoted, think. "
Next, please"
"Then there's Walter Fielding"
Don't know him.
mo" She gave little sigh. My
surmise about Jack must have been
wrong. well, he paints the most love-
ly pictures in the world, and l am so
happy when l am In his studio.
think should love to marry a painter.
Painters are not conventional, you
know, and he thinks have got pretty
feet. It's only the shoe, really. But I
do care for him. He's
Proceed, Miss Aninee," urged. 81,
too have remarked the feet"
"Ah, that's nice Of you! Well, Julian
Clifford
Hes fiftyw
81 know, but he loves me so! He
loves me more than all the others put
together. And he seems to consider 1t
such an honor that I should care for
him, and / can't tell you how wonder
full that is to a woman. He has such
beautiful gray eyes, too, and he never
takes one for granted. l think love
him rather desperately"
$50 on"
A dreamy look crept into her eyes.
She hesltated, then gave little, short,
quick laugh.
This is the one, after ALL" thought l..
Its Reginald Mason"
THAT prig"
'Oh, how you're down upon him be-
cause he's much cleverer than most Of
you! There's something in him that
fascinates me oddly. He's different
from any one else in the world and so
witty. Then at the most unexpected
moments one catches a note of pathos
in his tone, something of latent sad
ness which makes one feel one would
do anything in the world just to make
him happier"
81 congratulate you. Miss Aninee,"
said, rising. only, which is it to be,
because l haven't in the least guessed,
as you say they are all so charming"
That's the difficulty. like them all
in so totally different way. You see,
there are three kinds of men with re-
gard to matrimony-the man one knows
at once one would marry and love for
ever, the man one thinks one might
love and the man one simply couldn't
anyhow. Now, unfortunately, my four
fiances all come under the second head
ing"
HAS no one ever come under the
irst?"
She looked at me for several mo-
ments, considering. Then she laughed.
"Why, yes, only they never liked me-"
"That's great difficulty, of course,
though should have thought Here
some afternoon callers sailed into the
room, and for some moments we were
separated. She came back to me, how
ever, on the appearance Of her sister
and murmured:
do, do suggest somethingw
"Give me week." l said.
$50 long?'
"a week. l repeated, and we said
goOdby. l met Julian Clifford on the
stairs. He was certainly very good
looking.
The week duly elapsed, and 1 heard
worse" she wrote; -four letters every
morning of entreaties for definite an
swer; four bouquets every evening.
can't bear 1t any longer. Tell me, for
PHYS sake, what to do. They are all
awfully kind"
Dear Miss Aninee," answered, 81
am extremely busy, but meet me to-
morrow at the corner of NJ street at
II o'clock. l have thought of good
plan, only you must have courage;
otherwise cannot help YOU"
She was there ten minutes late.
How absurd Of you to make me
come here" she said. "And how pale
you look, and so smart!''
Miss Aninee," said I-my voice was
slightly trembling-"you see that
house?"
YES" said she, "but what
THAT'S justice of the peace's Of
fee"
"Oh, dear! Is any of them about?
Cause really can't. It's awfully good
of you, but really can't-not even Wal
ter Fielding. And do care
"None of them is about" l said
."Well"
/ paused a moment. She looked up,
little frightened. "Will you marry
meT
"DisOn!
"Will you marry me now?"
"But, Olson
| We crossed the road.
"Noww
Il IL