Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-04-08
Beginningdt thief Beginning
Copyright. 1909 by American Press Asso-
otation


This was my reply to Eggleston
when he got off lot of folderol about
love and sentiment and all that. nd
NIT | was interested, for was medt-
taling a proposal myself. felt very
sure Lydia would have me. Why
shouldn't she? Twas passable fell
low; some property OF my own; doing
we'll In business; fairly educated and
Of good social position. That's the
view expected Lydia to take OF me
and a union with me, not whether she
would decline me on the ground that
] didn't get maudlin over her or she
over me. The question was, Having
fairly good offer with chance to set
tie down into matrimonial life. was
she to accept 1t or run the risk OF not
getslng another as acceptable2 30 !
went to her and said:
Miss Brinsley, I'm going to make
you a proposition-namely. that we
pass our lives together as man and
wife till death do US part"
She looked at me out Of pair OF
steely eyes for few moments and
said:
"How about divOrcef"
I've noticed that, no matter how
composedly a man makes up his mind
to deal with q woman, she straight
way sets about to discompose him.
THE more common sense we put
into marriage the less likelihood
therell be of a divorce" said.
ut is the only part Of marriage In
which there is a likelihood. Death Is
certain Divorce ia possible, sometimes
probable. 1t is a contingency that
should be provided for"
ut seems to me that the first ques-
ton to he settled Is whether you are
prepared to enter upon matrimony
with me. After that we can take up
the provisions, If there are any"
THAT'S just like a man-always get.
ting the cart before the horse. 1t
seems to me that the provisions should
be settled first. The marriage Is mere
" q possible conclusion to them"
Good gracious" ! exclaimed under
nv breath. | was not prepared to
of marriage as q categorical syllogism.
Suppose" said, that we leave d.
yorce till the last Of the provisions or,
rather, contingencies and begin with
something of more immediate con-
Germ"
"Well, what's your income?'
Again | WINGED not so much at the
question as Mt her cold blOoded manner
OF asking it. However, ! considered
It an emine tly proper one to ask and
responded frankly:
II have from investments S5,5OO.'
"Real estate, bonds, stocks or whatf'
This was getting irritating. was
becoming flustered.
after all, | was right In the first
place" ! said, bit sharply. You ex-
pect me to lay bare all my affairs to
you when you haven't given me the
slightest intimation that IL they are
satisfactory you will accept me for a
husband"
II was not aware" she replied icily.
"that | expected anything. ] thought
that you were the expectant person."
O heavens! Worse and worse! sat
feeling and doubtless looking like
fool ! took out my handkerchief and
wiped my ips-they didn't need wip-
ing-then busted some specks OF my
coat collar, then crossed one leg over
the other and said nothing. Neither
did Lydia.
~ think" | said presently, that !
had better
Begin all over?'
A desire to get even with her by
saying something smart took posses
sion Of me- When man tries to beat
n woman by saying something smart
LIT always gets deeper IN the mud,
"Or drop the subject" said, with
some hauleur
You haven't taken it UP yet, was
her imperturbnDle reply
What did she mean by this, | Won
uered. haven't taken ii up! ! thought
Id very much taken 1t up
"i'erhups you haven't understood,
suid, w hat I've been talking about
u dare say | haven't
l ! oeiI pioAb'
-'rhal depends upon what you had
10 say
was getting more Unified every mo-
ment | looked ominously al the door,
hut it didn't seem to frighten her.
rose That didn't frighten her either.
'.On reflection" | said, Il think my
powers of Stating things may be bel
ter adapted to some other Intellect"
Male VI female"
This broke me up completely. |
stood stup,dly looking down al my
toes
why don't you 90 and explain 1t to
some nice man and lei him come and
tell 1t to me" she remarked.
There was nothing to be gained with
this cool creature. But her GOODNESS,
the disappointment suffered. every
thing, muddened me. | secuted mg
practical ideas. | would gladly have
thrown myself ut her feet and begged
for pity. mercy. anything except this.
horrible monster that stood between
us But how could jump from my
position of practical marriage ar
ranger TO despairing lover! There
was no hope With feeble attempt
ri Indifference Went To the door
Hearing hutter behind me, ! WAS
about tn turn when pair of arms
ms lung about me, and was held
In IL tight grasp.
"Come back" she laughed, and be-
Gin anew And this time at the be-
ginning"
What was the beginning? A kiss.
T DEWITT BOWMAN.
Aristoeratie EcuIs