The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1908-03-26

Like me-" he suggested amlably
81 didn't say was rude or impollte
enough to call you names. | merely |
said | was cynical" she demurred.
"Oh. call me a plain. everyday man
IL you like" he conceded graciously-
"lf 1t makes you feel one tiny bit bet
ter to work Off your cynicism on me,
Lady Fair. IT'S sweet to die for-er-
I'm not strong In poetry, Elberta. but
I'm willing to help you out all ! can.
So you want the marcel to be admired
by some wonderful being. alberta,
my child, don't you think perfect
man would let his thoughts run upon
-er-scientifc ines-and not undula'
tons in-halr linesT
Gle wouldn't. I'm sure. labor under
the impression that he could make
puns." she shifted dlsdalnfully.
Even II he didn't make puns he
might be dsagreeable I'm other re-
spects," suggested Mr.. Terhune hope.
fully His very projections. my dear
girl. would make him clear sighted
enough to see the imperfectlons OF 9th
ers. Now, think you are perfect.
but he probably would not take to you
at all on account Of your imperfec'
tlons."
Indeed? Would you enumerate
them?" The tone struck Mr.. Terhune
MS being slightly ICY but, however
foolish. he evidently was not lacking
In bravery.
"If you will for once let me assume
that I, even I. am perfect man. per-
haps can give you few OF the ideas
he might entertain"
"Pray do. 1t cannot fall to be inter-
esting." freezingly.
"That reminds me. met Miss De-
land on the street this afternoon, and
I never In my life saw so perfect a
profile. She is the exact type that
would make suitable mate for your
perfect man. And think she has the
daintiest little nose ever saw rem
iniscently.
Elberta REDEEMED slightly. She had
always wondered II her nose were not
n trifle large, and her fingers uncon'
scIously few to her face to be passed
furtively over the suspected member.
sand she always makes herself so
entirely charming-she doesn't seem 10
be moody-one could not imagine her
ever being-er-rudc. She Is an ideal
feminine character a perfectly wom-
anly woman-she would give ner nus
band Just the proper amount or adora-
tion necessary to stimulate him to sue
cess-she wouldn't expect the perfect
man to waste time in admiring a mere
woman-a frail. impulsive. whimsical
woman. The perfect man, my DEAR
would prob,bly-at least possipiy-oe
the center of attraction himself. can
imagine thai his wife would occupy
the subordinate position OF second nu-
die"
Elberta sat quietly stroking her nose
with her finger, evidently deeply ap'
sorbed In thought.
"John-do you think my nose is-very
larger" she asked timidly. almost num-
! bly,.
"Ob. I have seen few larger de-
clared Mr. Terhune airlly.
II Is hard to have ones sensitive
! point so negigently handled. ana tne
! girl looked at him In grieved surprise
!. ~ had no idea you were so disagreed,
hlv critical OF course never though'
; I was a beauty. but ] can't help tne
size of my nose"
"Of course you can't" consolingiy
: "Nobody can blame you for II. ne ue
> clared piously. I'VE should not o'am'
y people for their misfortunes' W.
! should sympathze."
e She looked at him a second, tears o
: modification In her eyes, You are
cruel she said In muffled tones IRON
II tho depth of the red pillow where sn'
;, buried her face. ,o,
. MI Terhune without her eyes upo'
= him permitted look OF satisfaction y
" Green over his face.
u "wouldn't It be awful to live III 'n