The Savannah morning news., 1904-07-24
BELINDA'S QUANDARY.
She and Peter Find n Topic of Mu-
tuaI Interest.

She and Peter Find "A Topic of Mu-
tuaI Interest.
IF you make love to me this morn
ing, Peter" said Belinda, Il shall
never forgive you"
AN oyster would be eloquent beside
me" responded Peter.
Belinda shut her shopping bag with
a snap. and laid her white sunshade
across a vacant chair. People are so
trying" she observed, on a note of
resignation.
Every body < queer except thee and
me quoted Peter. handing her a
limeade. with a glistening cherry near
the top. and thee is a little queer -
Belinda laughed. and lifting the
cherry with a straw. looked at it
musingly. Just because I am not
married" said she, does it follow that
I don't know anything"
Far from it," said Peter. with a
bow.
Does it follow that I am not quail
fed to give an opinion on anything
practical under the SUM-"
Peter bowed again. in contradiction.
THE wise airs married people put
on make me tired" said Belinda;
they do indeed. AS soon as I begin
to express my views of things, some
body always says, in superior tone,
ooh. but my dear, you're not married.
AS if that disqualified you from hay
ing any ideas about life"
Peter shook his head over the self
delusion of the married For my own
part said he. Il consider that the
calm observer Of life knows great
deal more about how things should be
done than the fellow that is doing
them. He sees the other mans mis-
takes"
That's what 1 try to explain" said
Belinda, but they only make irritat-
ing remarks about Old Maids chill
dren, and things like that"
And smile. as who should say. Poor
benighted creature " suggested Peter
Yes" said Belinda, when. really,
you know, if they would only let me
point out a few mistakes, l could tell
them a whole lot they don't know"
of course, you could" said Peter
Il have been through the same ex-
perience often. Sometimes ! think
have missed my calling. l should have
been reformer. 1 find myself burn
ing with an unselfish desire to take
my fellow-man by his lapel and say
Look here, my dear boy, just let me
tell you few things for your own
good. You've got the sand of the bat
tlefield in your eyes Not much.
Much thanks I would get for it! And
yet, as a matter of fact. / know a lot
more than he does from the very rea-
son that I am not fighting, but sitting
IN safe place looking on"
A perfectly dispassionate. disin-
terested person sees things in their
true values said Belinda, doubling her
fist for emphasis.
And learns by the experience of
others" said Peter. doubling his.
And is not to be treated scornfully
just because she lacks a husband -
said Belinda, laughing.
1t is my opinion" declared Peter,
that the head of every well-regulated
family should be "a maiden aunt. who
would manage its affairs and direct il
in the paths OF wisdom"
What lovely ideal" cried Belinda.
clasping her hands 81 wish some
body would adopt me-"
When l marry, will you be mine ?"
asked Peter.
We'll" said Belinda, hesitating
But that sounds like a proposal"
oh, does it?" said Peter. frowning
obviously.
Belinda rose, picked up her shopping
bag, and resting the tin of her sun
shade on the chair, leaned her chin up
on the handle thoughtfully.
And I couldn't be both, you know"
said she.