Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-11-23
The Bachelor Girl sighed.


Hes married, Mr.. Porter" she said
gently. But" she went on more cheer.
fully, I'm glad 1 saw the best side of
him. Most women never see anything
but the seamy side Of man."
"Humph!' growled the Mere Man
cynically THAT'S because they don't
want to. 1 never saw a woman vet
who didn't look hurt or offended when
you offered to be friend to her. And
nothing insults one Of them worse than
letting her know she doesn't inspire
you with any particular sentiment. She
considers it a personal affront. Just
forget to let pretty woman know that
you admire the turn of her chin or the
curve of her waist line and see how
quickly she loses interest in you. The
average woman doesn't know what
friendship is, and, what's more. she
doesn't care. She would rather have
you talk about the dimple in her cheek
than discuss the problem of your life
with her. she'd rather hear your opin-
ion on the shape Of her instep than
your souls secret. A man may be two
sided, but every woman is one-sided
and"-the Mere Man smiled subtlv in
the darkness-'and l guess we know
which side she's on"
''There" cried the Bachelor Girl bit.
terly, that's what l mean. A man al
ways thinks that woman likes to be
cajOled and flattered and deceived. He
has a code of honor toward everybody
in the world except the girl he's most
interested in. If he could only be as
fair and frank and generous and hon
est in love or Irritation as he is in
friendship"
"What!' cried the Mere Man, sitting
up suddenly. BE frank with the
enemy? Lay down your arms and put
yourself at the mercy Of a creature who
is trying to get you on your kneesf
That would be a joke. Friendship is
truce, but love is war-and the only
thing to do, is to make the other side
surrender first"
And yet" sighed the Bachelor Girl,
smoothing a ruffle on her sleeve con
templatively, Il always thought you
were the. one man who could appreciate
purely platonic affairs like
ours
"Oh, ours is different" declared the
Mere Man quickly.
Its just what I've been describing"
corrected the Bachelor Girl warmly.
I'VE are awfully fond of one another"
W In
shade closer to the Bachelor Girl.
'And we tell each other everything"
'Eh? Yes-of course. Everything!"
agreed the Mere Man shamelessly.
"And we'd stand by one another
through thick and thin
TO the very ALTAR mean the very
end"
"And 1 don't even know the color Of
your eyes,"
Don't you" The Mere Man looked
disappointed.
"And you've never even noticed that
THAT 1 have a dimple"
Never !"
"What!'
and, as far as 1 know, you haven't
any elbows nor any instep at all"
"You're-you're very unobservant,
Mr.. Porter" The Bachelor Girl rubbed
her elbow thoughtfulIy.
'Nor the sign Of a waist line"
"Why, l do believe we're docking!"
exclaimed the Bachelor Girl, suddenly
rising and crossing to the railing.
Were certainly getting somewhere"
acquiesced the Mere Man, leaving his
seat with a sigh and leaning over the
railing beside her.
The Bachelor Girl gazed dreamily
out over the water.
II wonder why" she began. pen
sively.
"Why what?" The Mere Man looked
interested.
"You never noticed-never even tried
to f1irt with me-
The Mere Man turned and gazed at
her in speechless wonder.
Perhaps" she suggested, musingly,
cts because we are on the wrong
side"
"The wrong side of what?" demand
ed the Mere Man. "Love Or"
"Of the boat, of course! ~ replied the
Bachelor Girl, impatiently, as she swept
out into the light that streamed from
the cabin.-Chicago Record-Herald.
Two Ways of Looking at 1t.
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