Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-12-07
MAKING A
REPUTATION
IOriginal.1
"Why, Mr.. Peeksw
"Upon my word, Miss Winter


been visitors in the city during the
winter; had met; Mr.. Peeks had pro-
posed and had been refused. Miss
Winter was romantic and wanted a
daredevil. Mr.. Peeks had no especial
desire to break his neck or kill any one
for Miss Winter, though he loved her.
Now they had met at the seashore. He
Joined her and walked beside her.
Fate seems inclined to throw us to-
gether," he remarked. after all, fate
knows what's best for u.s."
piled.
'Tn respect to who shall be your hus-
bandT'
81 will marry no man who will not
dare and do for me before consent to
be his wife. If he will not before mar
riage, I cannot expect it of him after
ward"
Twill you put him to test?"
Possibly"
you say that you will only marry
a man who will dare and do for you;
that you will test him and find out for
yourself If he is that kind of a man.
1t all seems very plain, but you may be
deceived after ALL"
II don't mean that l will not marry
any except one who would swim in
dangerous water to pluck me pond
lily. My fancy is one who has that
cool assurance we so often see in
heroes in the theater, one who can look
down the muzzle Of a revolver and
crack jokes with the enemy who points
it-a man Of assurance"
"Such situations are not to be called
up at will, except in plays"
"Oh, 1 can tell the kind Of a man I
mean very easily"
They We're strolling on an avenue
lined on either side with cottages. The
sun shone down upon these homes by
the sea, glistening from their roofs and
the vines which in many cases COW
cred them. Miss Winter was without
parasol, without hat. She loved the
sunshine and would not interfere with
its kissing her cheek.
what dainty little cottage" she
exclaimed as they approached one Of
the residences, land what pleasant
outlook there most be from that win
dow, with its pretty white curtains,
in the peak Of the roof. See the vase
Of roses standing on the SILL"
would you like one Of those roses"
Miss Winter cast quick side glance
at her companion.
al rather think would" she said.
"Very will, you shall have it If it
costs me my life to get it."
Mr.. Peeks pushed on to the gate,
walked rapidly up the walk to the
piazza and, boldly opening the door.
walked into the house. Miss Winter
stood still, lost In admiration at the
mans assurance. In a few minutes
Peeks appeared at the window and
was about to grasp a rose from the
vase when he was suddenly drawn
back violently. Then there was an
occasional appearance within the room
of Mr.. Peeks sparring. with a young
man. The enemy looked younger and
smaller than Peeks, who was evidently
getting the best of him. At last Peeks
dragged him to the window, where he
held him with one arm around his
chest while he carefully removed the
vase with the other, then forced the
man out Of the window and held
him suspended above the turf far be-
low.
"Shall 1 drop himT he called to Miss
Winter.
mo; for heavens sake, no."
''I'll do it, for your sake"
"For my sake stop. Come back
here"
Just as you WISH"
He pulled the young man In the win
dow, then seized a rose, and Miss Win
ter could hear the door slam. In an
other minute he came out Of the front
door and, Joining Miss Winter, offered
her the flower. The young man In the
room, frantic with rage, came to the
window and shook his fist, muttering
maledictions.
"Well. upon my word" said Miss
Winter, aghast. that's the most I'm
pudent thing / ever saw done. What
will the people in the house think Of
you? And that poor boy! You ought
to be ashamed of yourself. He was no
match for you whatever. Do you think
they'll have you arrestedT'
what care /? Have L not made a
test for myself and won"
Miss Winter turned her face away
and shifted the rose. No more marked
test of assurance could have been de-
vised nor carried out more success
fully.
do you think he will follow your
she asked, referring to the young man
who had incurred such hard treatment.
mo. He's nothing but boy. take
no credit for having worsted him. He
doesn't want any more Of It,"
They walked on till they reached
Miss Winters hotel.
II suppose may call this evening"
said Peeks.
Certainly.
Mr.. Peeks called. He was really
very acceptable person, and now that he
had fulfilled the conditions Miss Win