Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-08-11
TAKEN AT
HER WORD
By JOANNA SINGLE


John Mason did not slam the gate
simply because he knew that this mani
festation of rage would surely delight
ROsalc. She was watching his depar
turc from the window. and he was an
grly conscious that she knew lie
would. as usual, return IN few days
although she had said she hoped Sh,
would lc rid of him for awhile Sh,
was 80 young aud so beautiful and 81
provoking.
NJ the entrance To the little park. al
hc met her sister He did not know
Anne very Well he had been loo busy
with l,Osalic He wished now that h,
had made friends with her. her blue
eyes We're 50 like aud still - unlike
Kosalic'>. Anne stepped III front OF
bin and stopped him uncercmoniouslv
Been trampled upon again" she Oh
served John Mason, for 81 clever 4
man generally you're sometimes an
awful fool. She submitted this
thoughfully. In voice too gentle to he
Insulting.
Then you and Kosalie are agreed
and suppose YOU are expert testi.
mony May turn and walk with
yout"
She nodded and then asked u matter
Of fact question. How many times
has she refused YOU
Il had not thought TO keep count
Resale just now informed me that this
was the last time | didn't know had
been the same sort of II fool So often
Bur don't you think She ought to give
me credit for my persistence: Not rv-
cry man proposes 50 many times 10
the same girl
Anne laughed dryly rs he continued
Il would have given NJ long ago II
1 were not uu"xplanably sure that She
does care for me In fact. she never
has said directly that she does not She
simply says she won't marry me
What's the matter with me; Am toe
rich: can give away the stun II she
likes Am too successful: might
lose ease 10 please her Should | be
as ugly ns Satan: Perhaps she would
like Beauty and the Beast effect
What does She want: I've said and
done everything under heaven. and sh,
walks on me she trails me"
Precisely That's why called YOU
what | did \ girl likes to trail u
man. but hates the man that viii he
trail"d. Not logical. Is IL To Use her
own words you are always around
undcrfoot. You give her no time 10
want You or miss you or think about
you. She's too sure of YOU She
knows Just where youll he You never
let her want anything bad enough To
appreciate It when II comes She has
always had her own way She needs 10
he lit afraid OF you She needs 10 he
hullicd"
He frowned Il am not - brute. That
is not my way"
No: Well what has your way az
compllShedE"
He tried To laugh. oh, Ill take your
advice I'll do anything you say. II
cant be- worse than II Is now
well. | hate the responsibility. II
you get her you'll tight. il YOU don't.
you'll both be- miserable anyhow You
must get her aud then work out your
own salvation. In the first place. you
must give hcr shock Write her u
note and accept your dismissal Tel
her you begin 10 see that she is right
and that you wish To he friendly with
her AMI the family Then call some
times on the father or on me Don't
stay away Absences of that sort are
tiatteriug. you must l,e quite unaffect.
ed 10y her presence
You know that is impossible You
know how the sight of her
you've got To do IL. And you must
take another girl out occasionally BE
Ing naturally modest. dislike TO sug.
gest that you send me flowers some
That win bring things home To her. \
girl hates 10 have an admlrer transfer
himself bodily 10 any one. but espe
cially to her sister
When they had planned their cam
palgn and he lett Anne at the gate
she had him laughing l;osalie saw
them and shrugged her shoulders.
While removing her hat IN the hall
Anne remarked TO her sister
well dear John tells me that you
have dismissed him FOR good You
know | never would have interferrd If
you had wanted him. but am glad
you do not Now you may fnd time
Tor your music Your talent Is too
marked 10 be- neglected II will he a
relief for you to have him ont OF the
way awhile You're too young to leave
father and me and. after all. think
you're right about his not being the
right man for you"
I;Osalle shrugged her shoulders.
The next day Rosalie. without com
meut. handed Anne this note.
Dear Miss Carleton ! want 10 thank
you for your frankness ~ yesterday. and
/ assure you that shall not annoy YOU
again as / have In IN, past. can you for
give me for having troubled YOU much
ami so long You are probable right IN
deciding that I could not make. YOU han