The Washington herald., 1907-05-19

ing round a bend in the path.
Perhaps" I acceded. as l casually led
the way toward a secluded bench, in
secluded corner, unless you happen 10
break It. or to run up against 1t, or Try
20 get around it, or
''The idea" exclaimed Kitty scornfuliy
as she sank into one corner of the Dench
and frowned coidly at an innocent old
gentleman who occupied the other cor
ner. "of taxing things like dogs and
bachelors."
..Tbe idea I returned. supplementing
Kittv's glance of dsapprOval, and In
wardly wondering why old gentlemen are
permitted 10 walk in the public parks at
all much less TO take the best seats in
the most out-of-the-way places, lis per-
fectIy plain-in both cases. Besides
added generously. "a man should expect
10 pay for his privileges
Kitty swept me with chilling glance.
Il suppose" she suggested, its TO dis
courage Them"
To discourage the dogs, I corrected,
"and 70 encourage the bachelors
What
by making single life an expensive
rrivjIege." 1 explained. Anything is
more appreciated when you have TO pay
for Il. The trouble with matrimony is
that it's 100 easy That's why its going
out of fashion. If the courts would make
81 a privilege OF a crime, instead Of
Cutv. by putting a tax or penalty on H.
there would be more marriages and fewer
bachelors clubs. Why" 1 continued.
waxing dramatic. -.all a chap has TO do Is
70 say I take this woman to be my WIFE
and-he's got her. There isn't anything
else worth having that you can get tina.
easily"
That's So" acquiesced Kitty, with
sigh. IT'S easier than putting money
in bank. You don't even have to give
references. or prove your own Identity.
or tell your occupation. But she added,
thoughtfuIIy. digging the point of her red
silk sunshade into the gravel walk, the
difficult part comes afterward.'
Yes I agreed, that's always the
way with anything you get cheap. You
pay for it many times over after you've
got lt on your hands. Besides. added,
complainingly. there isn't any excite
ment I'm acquiring something which you
can have for the asking-eyen wife.
If you want a small boy to grow indif-
ferent 10 lollipoPs just keep a plate Of
thea where he only has to reach for
them every time he feels hungry. Even
money would lose its value if it We're
passed around at pink teas and dropped
at your door with the morning paper
and the patent medicine ads. It's because
it's hard TO get, and you have 10 work
for il that you value it. And it's be
cause its hard TO keep single that
Il beg your pardon, Nj Curtis.
"Er-that-" / caught a glance from
Ritty's eye that made me hesitate and
swallow.
THAT there are so many bachelor
girls" 1 finished, lamely.
"Oh." Kitty resumed her mutiiation Of
the park path with the point of the red
silk parasoL But" she protested. 'jUst
because the law encourages matri-
mouy-"
"Oh. it isn't only the law that en-
courages it," 1 broke in. hastily. "Thc
whole world encourages il. Everybody Is
against a chap meau-that is-ef
-er-" I paused, awkwardly.
You might begin all over again" sUg-
gested Kitty, frgidly.
Well" I exclaimed in desperation
wodging myself i'm between Kitty and the
superfluous old gentleman, Just looh
wha; happens the moment two people
begin 20 take a casual interest in one
another
"What DOES happen. Nr. Curtis|
Kitty leaned forward. with her hands
cIasped ON her p7rasrl and an inScrutahit
look of challenge beneath her lowered
lashes.
Just then the old gentleman rose an,
casually sauutered off down the path.
THAT happens" I said. triumphantly
noGdirg toward the receding figure of The
departing Nemesis.
Kitty blushed and transferred her gas
10 the branches of the tree above us.
Everybody" I continued grumblingly
gets ont Of the way when the two ap
pear. EVERYBODY grows suddenly blinC
and deaf and dumb when they are around
Put pair Of lovers on hotel piazza an'
I'm half an hour that side Of the place il
deserted by the rest of the world, sea
them on a dlvan at q pink tea and il
twenty minutes everybody IS at the Othe
end Of the room place them on an oceal
steamer and every soul aboard, from tn
captain 10 the cabin boy, will dodge a
their approach Nobody seems intereste'
iu the dark corners or the tete-a-tct
chairs when they are around. SOciet,
avoids them as persistently as if the,
were the plague. It's just as If the pub
lie had tactly agreed TO put up a gam
10 iuveigle a man into committing him
self or 20 use mental suggestion TO fore
him into matrimony. And if there's any
thing that will give a chap cold feet
"What?'
"A reaction" corrected. 'or distast
Tor doing something, it's knowing tina
it's expected Of him
"Oh, well" sighed Kitty, with a viciou
little dig Of her paras0l. I suppose the
do II because they are sentimental an
remember how it was when they wer
young and
If they do I asserted vehemently
they ought TO remember that what the
needed was not encouragement. but dis
couragement; not the sugar Of approval
but the spice Of opposition; not a clea
field and a leading string, but ston
wall to climb and stern parent to out
wit. It's n mighty weak fly who won
take wings at the sight Of sticky fypapel
and a very silly fish who Will swim righ
into a net that is hung out in plain view
And it's a mighty unsophisticated yOun
man who won't dodge the snares Of
sympathetic public and the traps Of
managing mama
What kind Of n mama" Mr.. Curtis?
THE kind I explained, that keeps tn
house fun of window seats and cOzy col
ners and low lights and music, and a
ways sends the family out of the ROOF
when you arrive and then disappears hei
self. after giving you a brief inventory q
her daughters domestic accomplishment
and
Yes" broke in Kitty, its always tn
orphan girl with the cruel guardian wh
marries the moment she escapes from tn