The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-11-07
SHABBY GENTEEL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Tor ten months, excepting holidays.
and never had | encountered so much
mischief. June was a hot month, and
by the time had completed the work
attending examinations | was too bro
ken down TO get away for a change,
though my salary and my savings were
no small that ! could only afford one
months outing. anyway.
was walking one evening on the
beach drinking Ia the delicious salt sea
breeze when | met a man who noticed
me with more apparent interest than
! usually received from strangers OF
the opposite sex. He brought a pair
Of hne brown eyes to bear upon me,
which caused me TO lower mine. though
his gaze was perfectly respectful, even
deferential. Ny brief look at him was
only sufficient 70 tell me that his face
was intellectual and his clothes were
shabby.
AZ short distance from the shore
was rock on which would often 20
after sunset. sink into a seat worn by
the water and enjoy the waves and
the breeze. l went there one evening.
passing over the narrow strip of sand
that led 10 II Just as the full moon
was rising. For several nights l had
been troubled with wakefulness, and
now, lulled by the plaSh OF the waves
and the sea breeze and the moonlight
on the water. fell asleep.
was awakened by a cold bath. The
tide had risen, and a wave higher than
the rest had completely covered the
lower half Of my body, looked at the
water; II was all about me. looked
up at the moon; Il stood on the meridi-
an. turned my head; the breakers
were on tho beach behind me. was
becoming terror stricken when | saw a
man on tho shore making motions to
me. He called 70 mo. telling me TO re-
main whore l was and no would 60 TO
the inlet near by and fetch boat. Ten
minutes later I was relieved to hear
the sound Of oars and see rowboat
rising and falling with the waves.
When il reached the rock and the oars.
man turned hls face 10 me, the moon
struck full upon II. He was the shah
Nv gentool man I had passed on the
beach
There Yves every reason 20 suppose
that be had saved me from drowning.
Tor | could not swim, and since nearly
every one on shore had gone 70 bed Il
Il doubtful II my cries would have been
heard above the noise OF the breakers.
10 this as Il may | had had thrilling
Introduction TO my Fescuer and did not
require him to secure the good offices
Of a mutual friend 10 make Us &c.
qualnted.
After that we spent many an hour to.
Eethsr on the beach tried without
appearing 20 be lnqulsltlye To discover
bis occupation and social status. but
failed. Though he was nearly forty, be
did not seem % have takelS.3ld OF a
eareer Tie disllked money making. but
loved literature, art, science, all that
was Ideal and Intellectual asked
him what career he would choose II be
chose any, aud he said he would prefer
that OF a gentleman. sighed. regret
ting that want OF energy or purpose
had neutrallaed his excellent qualities.
! cannot think Of my action IN this
important episode In my life without
establishment, had believed myself
the most practical woman. had pltied
those womca who had lost their heads
IN losing their hearts, and yet I moi
only suffered myself 20 fall In love with
this man. who appeared 20 drift like q
ship without n rudder. but permitted
him % make love TO me. shabby as b,
was. no woman In her senses would
have formed any other conclusion with
regard 20 him than that no made /
prccarlons living by his wits,
However. the result was the usual ~
Rnlt of lnfatuation. lie said he had al
income og 5000 a year. and earned "a,
same We passed from friends to lov
era and. after many misglvtngs on m!
part. to hetrothal. one thing no per
suaded me 70 DO that considered posi-
lively rash--tO be- married quietly u
the seashorc aud return together.
eonMntsd uadcr protest. aud We wer
married
ca reaching the station 20 return I
the city my husband put me on a trai
going In tho opposite direction. | wa
terror stricken. l had married u stral
gcF. and heaven only knew what h
was golnu 20 DO with me. He led u
into a private room in parlor car,
demanded "a know what all this mean
especially the unwarranted expense.
Easy. sweetheart" he said In h
usual earaioss way. "Now that ~
can't marry me for selfish purposes
viii confess I am one Of those mutt
uiillonalres who have women throw
at them by the thousands. went
the seashore incog. 20 set away frc'
them. when passed you on the beaC
Il suddenly struck Q that you wet
Dc woman ! wantel to marry. II
ElEht you went 20 sleep on the rock
was watching you. hoping that 20
would giys me an opportunity 10 rescu
700. In This you were very obnging 4