The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-30
My Choice
tOriginal.l

Their one morning after breakfast, that
this heart OF mine is liable TO take me
off at any moment. Before / so |
wish to see you married. would be
glad If you could have romance, but
romances will not be hidden; they
come when they please or not at all
l must therefore ask you 10 choose a
husband in 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 ana
physically admirable men except Law
renee, who is cursed with club foot.
believe you know them
Mr.. Hewitt | have met; Mr.. Lyons
/ know pretty well; Mr.. Lawrence l
do not know at all"
Then | suppose the choice falls be-
tween Hewitt and LyonsT
was silent. My expression must
have been lugubrious. for father said,
Poor little girl Then l turned to
him and said:
Send them all to me to make their
propositions direct and will decide
between them"
ION different days|
mo; let them all come tomorrow
evening. Put them in different rooms.
and let them out like bears In 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 Mr.. Hewitt walk
ed in. He was perfectly self possessed.
advanced to within short distance Of
me and stood deferentially. He was
a fine looking man, though not hand
some He began to speak in formal
tone.
Your father has given me the ines
Unable privilege Of laying my heart
at your feet / have known you long
enough to feel assured of the loneliness
of your disposition, the rectitude Of
your conduct, and it is plain to all that
you are beautiful. 1 mention these
traits, since from boyhood have been
resolved that the woman l marry must
possess them. As to worldly goods, l
have sufficient myself l 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"
Il duly appreciate" l replied, 1.-The
honor you have done me and am pleas
ed to know your requirements in the
woman you shall marry. 1 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 Mr.. Lyons came
in. He cast 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.
Il feel" he said in hesitating voice,
that it 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
l asked your father to be permitted to
pay my addresses to you, 1 had no
hope that the little I have to offer in
those endowments priced by woman
would be acceptable to one possessing
every endowment acceptable to men.
If you can find it in your heart to IA
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.
Il assure you, Mr.. Lyons" 1 said,
that, far from feeling too good for
you, l do not feel good enough for
you. l thank you for your high opinion
OF my endowments and for your most
complimentary offer. l must ask you
for a brief period in which to con-
sider.''
Il am delighted" he said, ''that you
will stoop even to consider a proposal
of one so unworthy of you"
| sighed as he went away. Two of
the three had made their proposals, one
telling me what lie required in wife,
the other what l deserved in a hus-
band. The third remained to state his
case, and he had clubfoot. What a
position for a girl to be placed in!
When the door opened and Lawrence
entered he limped along briskly, his
eyes fixed on me, his countenance lit
with admiration mingled with intense
anxiety. 1t seemed as if he was bent
on the one supreme quest of his life.
He came up close to me and sat on
the edge of chair directly opposite
me-
May tell you a story?" he asked.
You may"
One day year ago l was in the
art gallery, when a girl came in and
began looking at the pictures. l do not
know if her face was beautiful. l only
know that the soul looking through il
caught mine. and whirled it away. Ey.
cry day since then l have gone to the
gallery hoping to meet her, and thrice
that l have done so have amply re-
paid me. For year l have worshiped
her in silence. Then when / could en-.
dure it no longer l resolved to know
my fate. You are that girl Tell me
If my life is to be withered or if the