The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1906-03-10
b INCONSISTk. MY.
ny W. ". HINES.

thar side of the house, softened
tonce Moonlight, broken up by
anine trees into bars and
nos of golden radiance, lay all
them as they walked up and
the veranda.
right kind of woman always
r,ates a proposal of marriage
INV man as a great compliment.
from you 1t Is the much more
Gained but | cannot marry you"
he woman.
ave to thank you for having lie
N me so patiently Might !
&c a little more upon your good
and ask permission to discuss
after further with your"
amount of discussion can profit
| Of MS. so far as can zee. But,
have said, in asking me to marry
great compliment was paid me,
return for that compliment, |
GO | owe you permission to in
vonr love for discussion or argu-
hanks for the permission" said
IAN. still In his stolid manner. Il
Ia recognize my proposal as, In
kense. a compliment, but l am
liz that you should. If you wish,
the manner in which l made 1t as
hpiment. Recognizing the SPLEEN
of your own logical
lies, have made my offer of mar
in perfectly business-like form
he heard you often declare that a
act of marriage is like any other
act, and should be entered into
when both parties are fully aware
bat they are doing"
y you think women are ever en-
consistent" interrupted the
bn.
/ man looked trifie surprised and
I'D:
! least | give you credit for hav-
splendidly consistent mind. You
|bt mean that | have erred in my
her Of proposing, that you would
preferred more Of an air OF ro-
Be. and all that sort of thing"
|ow the situation is something like
continued the man, IN very much
kame tone of voice that he would
used in arguing an important
before the supreme court. You
R9-or is 1t 30?-years old, have a
tation as a beauty, and all that.
can, know, marry any one OF
Or three men who can offer you a.:
as much as I, but modesty was
, a prevailing characteristic OF
!. and | have not feared TO meas
myself with these other men"
|oes the prosecution here close its
}" inquired the woman, laughing
tile, If so the defense will sub
|an argument admit that the
|h would be, as you say, pro-
Iced suitable to everyone. AS for
Two or three other men whom
ver that can marry at any time,
hot answer. | have noticed that
lumber of my proposals has been
: g off of late, and attributed the
Ito advancing age-you were right
b you said | was 30 may close
discussion by saying that | have
e up my mind TO become an old
J."
ar be II from me to say anything
INST those estimable members of So
the old maids" said the man,
do not think you will ever be
Of them. A wise man once said
the cowl of a monk always hides
er disappointed lover or a great
al, and while do not indorse his
ion unqualifiedly. | am firm in the
IF that every old maid is a woman
was disappointed in love or who
too cold-bloodedly selfish ever tC
ry Surely you do not come in
pr CLASP"
10, said the woman, refiectively, 81
say that | do, and yet"
'erhaps,' said the man, and now
voice was very gentle, as though
feared he might here touch somt
wound unwittingly. there is Il
life some romance which have
guessed. Believe me, | would MOI
M you for worlds, and | trus, yot
pardon my clumsy speech"
IN, | am not a blighted being
er fear" this with laugh that die
ring altogether of merriment.
hen your refusal to marry me i.
based upon the ground that 20,
er some other MANI"
NO, | am not in love-with som,
II MANI"
Gut your refusal Of me is final.
take it,"
es, the yes" with an almost In
IoIe sigh, sigh so nearly inaudibl,
1t did not reach the man.
e had thrown away his cigar an,
% Tor moment gazing out towar,
Trees, Then he began to speak
MS voice was harsh with feelinj
had been restrained.
think | quite forgot to mentio,
thing in my proposal. did no
mat love you very dearly; that
wishing to be beggar OF love,
Q waited all these years to be in