Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-03-05
The Peoples Forum
Give Your Thoughts Expression


An Ingenious Proposal
If woman is clever, though with
out beauty, she can still command a
great deal Of attention from the male
sex; if both clever and beautiful she is
irresistible Isabelle Darlington was
irresistible. and not to be wooed by
commonplace methods as many men of
my acquaintance can vouch for There
was Charlie Samson who never gor fur
Their than moonish look in his eyes,
and Arthur, John, Frank and so on, ad
lib. who gave up the ghost, as it were,
and worshipped from afar: still Isa-
belle was not a coquette for she never
encouraged any of them; in truth she
nipped all advances and liberties in the
bud and so cleverly too that do not
believe any real resentment fingered in
those disappointed hearts. rather only
rage and reproach against themselves
for heir own stupidity. 1t does not fol-
low that Isabelle did not enjoy the at
tentions showered upon her for she
did; she liked clever men about her
and rewarded them with smiles and
So long as they toed the mark of
conventionality and refrained from
stepping into the forbidden domain of
sentiment. all went well: but alas, I'M
der those very smiles of favor even the
most stoical lost their heads and be-
came gllbbering idiots. for this she
could never forgive them.
One pleasant afternoon in the early
May. George Stanley and Charlie San
son sat quietly smoking in their apart
ments, keeping up desultory chat be-
between puffs by the way George. I
asked Miss Carrington's permission, the
other evening. to bring you with me
the next time called; in fact made a
positive date for Thursday; you will go
of course?"
We'll you're genius! Are you
aware of the fact that ever since my
return from India you have periodically
and with painful persistency warned
me not to play with the fire that has
singed your gauzy wings and those of
few other moths. who have deserted
the flame and retired to diet of spring
overcoat Now you wish to convert me
into modern Daniel and have me drop
myself confidingly into the den of the
fioness. shall heed your warning and
not CO.
Impossible! That would place me
IN develish awkward position"
II can't help that. you've placed
yourself in it, get out of 1t the best way
you can"
Come old man. don't be disagree
able: I promise you a very pleasant
evening"
DO you know Charlie I've heard
nothing but; Isabelle Darlington. Isa-
belle Carrington! from morning till
night. dislike her already. but I'll
admit 1 am curious to see this para
gon, and as you seem to have placed
yourself in a rather difficult position;
I'll co.
that's right; 1 knew you were full
of wisdom
This said with the faintest suspicion
Of chuckle, The following Thursday
evening Charlie plloted the seemingly
reluctant George to the home of Miss
GetihAhENOtf. AtlCl Nttt uSntTGu tIlib a
large, pleasant room and found lisa :
belle. seated before the open fire place,
whose Pickering lights and shadows,
alternately threw into bold relief or
drew dusky curtain over charming
picture; she arose and welcomed them
extending her hand to George with
winning cordially,
Good evening Mr. Stanley: Your
name has been mentioned so often to
me. that almost feel | know you ani
that we shall become friends"
THANK you Miss Darlington: you
are more charitable than l. for In truth
! made the remark to Charlie before
coming here that had heard of moth
ing but you and that | was sure |
should dislike you"
This was staggering; Charlie looked
aghast. Isabelle recovered sufficiently
to say:
you are very candid Mr.. Stanley"
Yes, know; It is a failing of mine.
In fact they tell me l am brutally so.
do you know Miss Darlington the
women all hate me and reciprocate.
1t is probably for this reason that I
am So"
Charlie was completely fioored and
would have given half his life to De
able to sink quietly through the floor,
or the whole of IL to have murdered his
friend on the spot. This monstrosity
continued. in a half meditative man.
ner:
You see It is this way. Imagine to
yourself an immense task set before
you, day in and day out, the same
thing over and over again. the monot-
ony would be painful; thus it is with
women. they are all alike. Have you
ever been in India Miss Carrington?"
For once In her life Isabeles ready
tongue failed her. She was completely
non pfused and vouchsafed no other
reply than:
NO Mr., Stanly. have not"
This was said in a vary icy tome a,,1