The daily Alaskan., 1906-01-03
My Choice
tOriginal.l

glad If you could have Il TounahCe' Out romances will not be biddeni they come when they please or not at all. 1 must therefore ask you to choose a husband in 6 conventional way. Three men have proposed to me for your hand-Edward Hewitt, Arthur Lyons and Gilbert Lawrence. All are able to support you; all are mentally and physically admirable men except Law renee, who Is cursed with a club foot. I believe you know them"
 'Nir. Hewitt have met; MT. Lyons I know pretty well; Mir. Lawrence do not know at all"
 "Then suppose the choice falls be- tween Hewitt and LyOnsF
 I was silent. My expression must have been lugubrlous, for father said, "Poor little girl" Then turned to him and said:
 Send them all to me to make their propositions direct and l will decide between them."
 "On different days"
 No; let them all come tomorrow evening. Put them in different rooms, and let them out like bears in a menag- erie, one after another"
 Father smiled grimly and went away.
 The next evening took position in the small drawing room. Presently the door opened, and Mir. Hewitt walk ed in. He was perfectly self possessed, advanced to within short distance of me and stood deferentlally. He was a fine looking man, though not hand some. He began to speak in formal tone.
 "Your father has given me the ines timable privilege of laying my heart at your feet. l have known you long enough to feel assured of the loyeliness of your disposition, the recdtude Of your conduct, and 1t is plain to all that you are beautiful. l mention these traits, since from boyhoOd l have been resolved that the woman l marry must possess them. As to worldly goods, l have sufficient myself. can take care of you in the same fashion as you have been brought up. You have only to speak one word to make me happy"
 'T duly appreciate" l replied, the honor you have done me and am pleas cd to know your requirements in the woman you shall marry. I will hold your proposal under advisement, and you will be duly informed"
 His confident manner underwent a sudden change, and he retired in some confusion.
 Ten minutes later MT. Lyons came in. He cast 0 frightened glance at me, then bent his eyes to the floor. He did not come as near me as his predecessor and instead of standing erect bent low.
 "I feel" he said in a hesitating voice, that 1t is a presumption for me to offer my unworthy hand to one so greatly my superior, one who is known to the world for her many admirable traits, as well as for her beauty. When I asked your father to be permitted to pay my addresses to you, I had no hope that the little I have to offer in those endowments prized by woman would be acceptable to one possessing every endowment acceptable to men. If you can find it in your heart to fa- vor my suit you will inspire me with a confidence and happiness never felt before"
 He stood waiting with head bowed and eyes still bent to the floor.
 q assure you, Mir. Lyons" I said, ''that, far from feeling too good for you, do not feel good enough for you. thank you for your high opinion of my endowments and for your most complimentary offer. I must ask you for brief period in which to con- Eder."
 q am delighted" be said, that you will stoop even to consider a proposal of one so unworthy of you"
 sighed as be went away. Two of the three had made their proposals, one telling me what be required in a wife, the other what I deserved ln a hus- band. The third remained to state bis case, and he had a Clubfoot. What position for a girl to be placed in!
 When the door opened and Lawrence entered he limped along briskly, bis eyes fixed on me, hls countenance lit with admiration mingled with intense anxiety. It seemed as if he was bent on the one supreme quest of his life. Re came up close to me and sat on the edge of a chair directly opposite me.
 May tell you a stOry" he asked.
 You may"
 "One day a year ago was in the art gallery, when a girl came in and began looking at the pictures. do not know If her face was beautiful. only know that the soul looking through it caught mine and whirled 1t away. Ev- cry day since then have gone to the gallery hoping to meet her, and thrice that I have done so have amply re- paid me For a year have worshiped her in silence. Then when I could en- dure 1t no longer I resolved to know my fate. You are that girl. Tell me lf my life Is to be withered or If the gates of heaven are to be opened to