Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-15


propose to your
"Yes-I think So"
"Then it's the first time for him. He
finds women only too willing to play
with him, as q rule, and he doesn't
have to be definite. I wonder what
he meant by being so definite with
you"
''I suppose he meant marriage. said
Sylvia serenely, yet there was the
slightest ring in her voice, and ii
amused Mrs. Ferrall to try her a little
further.
"Oh, you think he really intended tc
commit himself"
"Why not?" retcrted Sylvia, turning
red. do you think he found me over
willing, as you say he finds others?
"You were probably a new sensation
for him. inferred Mrs. Ferrall mus.
ingly. ''You mustn't take him seri
ously, child-a man with his record
Besides, he has the same facility with
a girl that he has with everything else
he tries; his pen-you know how in
formally clever he is, and he can make
good verse and write witty jingles
and he can carry home with him any
opera and play it decently, too, with
the proper harmonies. Anything he
finds amusing he is clever with-dogs,
horses, pen, brush, music, women"
That was too malicious, for Sylvia had
flushed up painfully, and Grace Fer
rail- dropped her gloved hand on the
hand Of the girl beside her, "Child,
child" she said, che is not that sort
No decent man ever is unless the girl
is too"
Sylvia, sitting up very straight in hel
furs, said, "He found, me anything
but difficult, if that's what you mean"
ST don't. Please don't be vexed, dear
l plague everybody when l see an
opening. There's really only one thing
that worries me about it ALL"
"What is that?" asked Sylvia, with.
out interest
cts that you might be tempted to
care a little for him, which, being use.
less, might be unwise."
81 am-tempted." .:i.i f
"Not seriously"
81 don't know" She turned in g
sudden nervous impotence foreign tC
her. Howard Quarter is too perfect
ly imperfect for me. I'm glad I've said
it. The things he knows about and
doesn't know have been a revelation in
this last week with him. There is too
much surface, too much exterior adj
mirably fashioned, and inside is all
The low whizzing hum of the motor
filled a silence that produced consid.
cradle effect upon Grace Ferrall, and.
after mastering her wits, she said in
a subdued voice:
'Of course it's my meddling."
"Of course it isn't. | asked your
opinion, but knew what was going
to do. Only did think him personally
possible which made the eXpediency.
the mercenary view of 1t. easier to
contemplate"
She was becoming as frankly brutal
as she knew how to be. which made
the revolt the more Ominous.
"Sylvia dear, ! wish | hadn't med
died. I'm meddling some more. sup
pose. when I say to you. Don't give
Howard his congo for the present 1t
is horribly common thing to dwell
upon, but Howard is too materially
important to be cut adrift on the i'm
pulse of the moment"
81 know it."
''You are too clever not to. Consider
the matter wisely, dispassionately in
diligently, dear, then if by April you
simply can't stand it, talk the thing
over with me again." she ended rather
vaguely and wistfully, for it had been
her hearts desire to wed Sylvia's beau
ty and Quarters fortune.
do you believe l could induce him
to wear his hair any way except POM
padourY' said Sylvia. And, dear, his
beard is so dreadfully silky. Isn't
there anything he could take for it?"
"Only a razor, I'm afraid. Those
long, thick, soft eyelashes Of his are
ominous. Eyes Of that sort ruin a
man for my taste. He might just as
reasonably wear my hat"
'But he can't follow the fashions In
eyes," laughed Sylvia '-Oh, this is
atrociouS of uS-it Is simply horrible
to sit here and say such things. 1 am
cold blooded enough as it is, material
enough, mean, covetous, contemplate. !"
Dear" said Grace Ferran mildly,
you are not choosing a husband; you
are choosing a career"
Grace! Do you wish me to marry
him?"
what is the alternative, dear"
"Why, nothing-self respect, dowdi-
ness and peace"
'Is that all?"
"All can see."
mot Stephen SfwardY
'TTo marry? No. To enjoy? Yes.
Grace, have had such a good time
with him. You don't know! He is
such a boy-sometimes> and IL be