New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
A Decided No.
BIZ FREDERICK GORDON.

Why should woman ever Be expected to say
Yes or NO?
50 thought Claude. as she sat ons morning az
her writing table. with her chair tilted back and
frown OF vezatiOn her pretty face. Il too
bad! For Jack had asked her the night before 20
marry him, and had made her promise to send an
answer the next day. Why had he not insisted on
a reply a. the time? Then Il would all have been
settled b. now, one way OF the other.
"Cf course, should have refused him." she said
to herself. but 10 would have been much easier
to say than 10 write" AL the same she could not
help remembering 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. II he had only
drawn her to him and had dared TO kiss her-weu.
she did net know what she might not have said.
Perhaps it was Just as well he didn't! She was
sill free!
But this horrid letter had to Be written OF
course. Il must be ''No"' At the time. how
was she to put It? Must she writs formal letter
and give her essons? That would be. to say the
least unpleasant. and. besides. she would not Ike
hurt him: ard then. she was noc quite clear
about the reasons. Perhaps a postcard with the
single word NO" It would be best! But ser
wants are given to read postcards. and she would
have to sign her name. CT at least put her Initials
That would not DO: It must be letter.
So Claude began:
'LGIy Dear JackI: In su-s this Is tEs last letter
1 shall ever write to you. because I'm going 70 say
no" 1 see that I've begun It all wrong, but this
IS my last sheet Of paper. So. please. don't read
the words in brackets should have commenced
Dear Captain Vare-'
Il suppose that. Just like man. you want rea-
sons for my answer. You used to say that wOm-
en- never had any reasons for what they did. only
excuses. You added that this one OF their
chief attractions Now. I must be most unattrae-
tive. for I've heaps Of reasons. and never an eK-
cuse First Of all 1 didn't like you tat first at
leastl-you mustn't read the words IN brackets
That was when you used to show me no particular
attention and every one else was rushing TO fetch
and carry FOR ne I didn't like that, but IN not
sure hat I actually hated you for It dare say
nv pride Tor cOnCeltl was hurt EsecO44eCl th9
words in brackets are invisible! -.
s.Then somehow or other 1 got TO reel that
should ike do something for you WASH { u
would never accept any IaVOEs.
Even one night at ball, when you asked me TOT a
uosely left blankl-ware the brackets-you only
vrofs down your name for miserable square.
Girls don't like that. and I've not Forgotten lI.
The sau,a night YOU took to the carriage, tnOuBn
I can't imagine why you did IT, mad ISL1ssu = ~
~ dances and had sat out several, thing which
an prettv girls enjoy. But 1 suppose can %
oretrv as / didn't enjoy II a bit had seen that
ycU roo had not been dancing II wasn't the least
CIV only little sOrryl But you KEPT iOoHIns ~
ne 20 nbsupiy that felt inclined 70 forgive you
Tor not dancing with the other girls It must nave
been such an act Of self-denial. ana ADORE IN
selfshness in men. ..-- - a.. -
IA ge I somehow other managed 70 let one OF my
.-ios.ss SoT You saw Il once and instead or at
Tending properly to you picked u up anu nl1-o
s,,cb s-raye handed u 20 me- saying,
u tEi0k you've dropped glove " wash even
your glovel. OF course. my glove NaS UlOpps1' ~