Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-02
A DECIDED
 ss NO ''
FREDERICK GORDON

So thought Claude, as she sat one morning at her writing-table, with her chair tilted back and a frown of vexa- tion on her pretty face. It was too bad! For Jack had asked her the night before to marry him, and had made her promise to send an answer the next day. Why had he not insist ed on reply at the time? Then 1t would have been settled by now, one way or the other.
 "Of course, should have refused him." she said to herself, but 1t would have been so much easier to say than to write.' All the same, she could not help rem embering how nice Jack had been on the occasion, and she felt that she might almost have been tempted to say "Yes," when he put his hands gently on her shoulders, and looking closely into her eyes, had asked the question. If he had only drawn her to him and had dared to kiss her--well, she did not know what she might not have said. Perhaps 1t. was just as we'll he didn't! She was still free!
 But this horrid letter had to be written Of course, 1t must be 'tNo!" At the same time, how was she to put it? Must she write formal letter and give her reasons? That would be to say the least, unpleasant, and besides she would not like to hurt him; and then she was not quite clear about the reasons. Perhaps a postcard with the single word "No" on it would be best! But servants are given to read post cards, and she would have to sign her name, or at least put her initials. That would not do; 1t must be letter.
 So Claude began:
 "[My Dear Jackl l,--Im sure this is the last letter shall ever write to you. because I'm going to say 'No!' I see that I've begun 1t all wrong, but this is my last sheet of paper So, please, don't read the words in brackets--I should have commenced Dear Captain Vane'
 ''I suppose that, just like man, you want reasons for my answer. You used to say that women never had any reasons for what they did, only ex- cuses. You added that this was one of their chief attractions. Now, must be most unattractive, for I've heaps of reasons, and never an excuse. First of all, didn't like you Tat first at least]-you mustn't read the words in brackets. That was when you used to show me no particular attention. and everyone else was rushing to fetch and carry for me- I didn't like that, but I'm not sure that I actually hated you for 1t. dare say my pride Tor conceit1 was hurt Recollect the words in brackets are invisible!
 "Then somehow or other I got to feel that should like to do something for you. Wasn't 1t ridiculous? But you would never accept any favors. Even one night at a ball, when you asked me for dance and gave you my programme (which I purposely felt blank l---'ware the brackets-you only wrote down your name for miserable square Girls don't like that, and I've not forgotten 1t. The same night you took me to the carriage, though I can't imagine why you did 1t. I had re- fused a lot of dances and had sat out several, thing which all pretty girls enjoy. But suppose can't be pretty, as I didn't enjoy it bit. I had seen that you, too, had not been dancing IT wasn't the least angry, only little gorryI. But you kept looking Tat mel so unhappily, that I felt inclined to forgive you for not dancing with the other girls. It must have been such an act of self-denial, and adore un- selflshness in men.
 Afterwards when was stepping Into the carriage I somehow or other managed to let one of my gloves fall. You saw 1t at once, and instead of at tending properly to me, you picked it up, and made such grave bow as you handed 1t to me saying: T think you've dropped glove lit wasn't even your glove'1. Of course my glove had dropped, and any other man would have waited till had driven away be- fore he picked 1t up. II know, becauHe have looked.l
 II was annoyed The glove was quite new one and I had hardly soiled 1t, for somehow or other I hadn't danced much. You looked dreadfully glum as you picked it up. I think il must nave been my carelessness in let tug it drop in the dirt. I am extrava. gant, l fear; and as you told mo last night that you were poor map. am afraid must have shocked your sensi- bilities!
 Why on earth did you say any, thing about money? What had 1t to do with the question? know I have heaps of it; and it's not bad thing either, as 1t sometimes helps a man to marry the girl he loves. Remember [dear Jackl--I needn't mention the brackets again-when you ask another girl to marry you, if she happens to have money (which hope she will for your salkel don't refer to it. If she cares a bit for you, as you deserve, she'll be only ashamed to feel that sne has so littie to give you.
 I've heaps of other reasons for say- ing No but under any circumstances could never marry man who didn't take his answer from his Iady-loye's