The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-09-28
A WOTnan'S
Fib

strings of his bow.
At first things fell out exactly as
Cupid had expected, and one fine day
the man told the girl that he loved
her, and asked her to become his
wife.
As the girl listened glad light
came into her eyes. Then she looked
at him searchingly, and her face
clouded over.
Are you quite sure?" she asked.
But he only laughed, and kissed
her.
'I would rather we kept this to our
selves for a little while" she told
him presently, when he spoke Of a
formal engagement Il want to be
quite, quite certain
Certain of what?" he asked.
"Of you, Dick" she replied. Don't
be angry with me, dear, can't help
that you should love me after all. Do
you remember what you used to say?"
81 was a fool"
But do you remember?"
81 haven't said It for long time,
have II"
You used to say, Dick, that was
too much of man myself for men to
fall in love with me. ! didn't know
what you meant at first, until you ex-
planned"
'Never mind that now"
"But l do mind. l can't help think
ing about it. have an idea that you
were right"
"No, l wasn't, Madge. I've found
out my mistake"
"You said l was too free, too inde-
pendent to win mems love, that men
only loved the helpless, clinging wom-
en-the women who needed protec-
tors"
''Why do you want to remember all
the idiotic things I'VE said to your"
Because l believed them to be
! true once. and think-perhaps-
| are true still. You told me l was so
strong and self-reliant-the sort Of
| girl to make a chum of, not a wife.
And you made a chum of me, Dick.
Are you sure you want the wife,"
Her frank gray eyes met his un-
flinchingly.
He drew her toward him with sud
den passion.
81 love you," was all he said. And,
for time, she was content.
Then there came a day on which a
shadow seemed to fall between them,
and doubt grew strong again.
"You are worrying over something"
she said, and he made no reply.
Tell me-" she pleaded, but still he
was silent.
do you know you haven't kissed
me once to-day?" she continued, her
eyes fixed upon his troubled face.
Forgive me-" he stammered, awk-
wardly trying to take her hands.
She shook her head, and gently re-
leased herself.
81 want to talk to you," she said.
II am going to tell you what is on
your mind. l know"
"Madge, you don't know. You can't
know. It's nothing"
Don't be untruthful, Dick. You
| used to credit me with some intelli-
gence when-when we were only
chums. Do you think ! can't guess
what is troubling you? You're mis-
cradle, Dick, as miserable as it's pos
sible for any man to be, and l know
why. It's because you can't make up
your mind-about-about me-"
what do you mean?" he asked.
turning away his head.
you can't make up your mind
whether you are in love with me or
not. There! Now I've said it Isn't
1t true?"
Her voice never faltered. Her calm
eyes seemed to read his every
thought.
Don't be afraid" she said at is
better to be quite frank-kinder to me.
That day you asked me TO be your
wife, you were carried away by a sud
den foolish impulse. / suspected it
all along. l had no right to take you
at your word; Dick, we must be chums
again"
For Heavens sake Madge, don't
talk like that!" he cried. you don't
know what you're saying. You wrong
me, indeed you do. have you, ad-
mire you more than any other woman
know. You're too good for me, but,
you've promised TO marry me, and I'm
the proudest fellow in the world. I'll
try to be worthy of you, dear"
at isn't question Of being worthy
or unworthy" she replied, gently. tits
a question of love, Dick. / think un-
derstand you. You're fond of me, |
know that, but you don't love me In
the way that you feel a man ought to
love the woman he is going to mar
ry."
ANY man who isn't a senseless
brute ought to love you"
"Well, wen grant that. for the sake
| OF argument"
you're clever and good, Madge,
and uncommonly pretty; you're every
thing a.woman ought to be-"
"But-don't be afraid 10 say It,
Dick-Tm not the right woman for
you. know. / understand"
"Madge, you don't understand, you
can't understand. don't understand