The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-05-16
BRAVERY OF WOMAN.
BY WALTER HILBERT.

torted.
Cake, for instance, an ordinary room,"
said, 'and put in it an ordinary mouse,
and"
ooh, that's simply feminine peculiar
ity,'' she broke in Indignantly. at isn't a
question of bravery"
Anything but" aequiesced.
"And it's just as foolish to think that
bravery consists only in acts which merit
medals, she said, warmly.
"Of course" l said. "You will get as
many instances of bravery at the hreside as
on the field of battle
She smiled.
Possibly MORE" she returned. '1m so
glad that You have come to agree with me
regarding the bravery of women
l stared hard at her in establishment.
what do you mean!" | inquired. 81
haven't agreed with you on that point"
"You said that at the Preside"
But didn't mean" | began.
Men are not generally to be found
there" she remarked, calmly.
/ made gesture of impotence.
Please be rational, Alicia. You know I
spoke tiguratvely."
that there is much bravery at the clubs
as on"
might have said so,' I interrupted,
with quiet satisfaction. Clubs had always
been red rag to her.
She tossed her head scornf,lly
Absurd! | never knew clubman who
could be called brave" she said, wither.
ingly.
That was one for me, but bore the blow
without finching
"No? But that doesn't alter the fact that
some clubmen are brave"
do you know any," she asked.
81 know one, Alicia. He
'What has he done?" she asked, impa-
tiently.
.'Nothing-so far But he is brave, all the
same. There's nothing he would stick at if
once he made up his mind to-
"a foolhardy IDIOT" she interrupted. 81
know the sort"
"No, not an idiot, though foolhardy if
you like. After all, foolhardiness is first
cousin to bravery. The kinship may be even
nearer
VERY likely he would turn and run at the
first sign of danger" she said, and her eyes
flashed. Evidently the conversation was an
noying her.
"The man l mean wouldn't" l said,
quietly 'He is brave as a lion
81 don't see how YOU can say that when
he hasn't proved it, she returned.
But can say it, Alicia You see, know
hls-er-inmost thoughts"
She laughed, rather too boisterously for
genuine merrlment.
"Oh, my dear Gerald, that will dol" she
cried. PLEASE don't say any more. You're
too funny. Fancy one sane man-are you
sane, Gerry stating calmly that he knows
the lnmost thoughts of another man"
1T requires considerable effort to i'm
agine anything of the kind, )" said
But you said that you knew the inmost
Der of club, and"
''But he isn't another man. you see
She gazed at me- and her large eyes were
full of justification. Suddenly, however, a
light dawned on her
Gerald. you don't mean"
Indeed do" | said.
on consider yourself brave man,
Most certainly Alicia. Why moi? 2"
Because" She broke off to hum softly
See the conquering hero comes" but as ]
showed no signs of annoyance she soon grew
tired 'And, pray, what is the inmost
thought that convnces you that you are
brave" she asked
| paused
st isn't exactly thought" l SAID, pres
emily. Its determination. | have made
up my mind to propose to woman"
She tried to look disguised, but could not
help showing that she was Interested
IF it requires bravery for that, most men
are brave-and some, are regular heroes, y
she said, contemptuously.
Il was not finished" | returned. "The
woman | am going to propose to has never
by word or sign, showed that she cared q
straw for me. On the contrary, she has per
sistently shown me that she thinks little oil
me. She has laughed at me whenever have
allowed Il note of tenderness to creep into
my voice. She has"
Spare me, please, Gerald she inter
rupted she must be a terrible"
She is the first lady in the land" said
gravely. She is the essence of charm OF
goodness, of would rather hundred
times be struck by her than kissed by any
other woman"
"Iou will admit that it requires bravery
to propose to such a woman?"
''Well-f oolhardiness. What if she re
fuses you?'
81 shall refuse to accept her refusal"
replied.
She looked at me thoughtfully for mo-
ment or two, then smile appeared on her
face.
"I-really, Gerald, you have converted
me. Yes, you are brave man; and think
that you deserve a reward for valor on the
field of love" She paused, and then, CLAN
cling at me with coquettish smile added
Il am yours
| gasped.
"You mean!'
81 shall marry you," she replied, calmly
Then she stamped her foot. "Why don't
you kiss me, Gerald? When man has had
a medal conferred on him he doesn't gen
orally signalize the event by turning COW
ard.'
| FASTENED to show her that my bravery
was more than equal to the test
But how did you know that / meant
your | asked, presently
"Know? Why, my dear boy, I've known
for months that you loved me- And be
sides" she broke off suddenly, and then
continued, with a smile: ''Your description
of me was unmista Xxi able -