Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-06-24
Put to the Test

David Barclay was not in the mood to
notice It.
do l believe In their existence, or
IN their results?" His smile was
somewhat scornful. why, suppose
II girl wants to ask a man to marry
her she sometimes does Il. As for the
result, presume it's a question OF
temperament as to whether he throws
the bait or catches It."
This wasn't at all what Eileen Mel
chOr meant Her eyes grew more
earnest. But why shouldn't a wom-
an have the same right as a man, hon
estly? It's always puzzled me abb
Btractly."
David Barclay laughed gopd-humor-
sdly. Its the propriety you're ques-
honing. is IT. Oh. you women with
your interminable whysl Custom is
custom, I suppose, and fancy that's
your answer Man began It, didn't
her Who made the first proposal
anyway"
Eileen shrugged her shoulders. Evi-
IDENTIFY his questioning was more alb
stract than hers. You are making
fun Of me-" she said, "and was 1T
lie bit in earnest"
He was a cbivalrous fellow in spite
Of his contempt for a style Of girl
which he thought she was affecting,
and when he detected a hurt tone In
her last words he melted at once.
my dear Miss Melchor," he an.
swered. 'T never make fun of honest
questions. but yours didn't sound like
you"
Il know IT," said little Eileen, but
! honestly wanted information and a
mans idea. Cousin Lettie and some
OF her friends were talking about It
last night, and they found three cases
where the girl had proposed to the
man and a happy marriage had follow
ed. I've been wondering II the men
we're weaker minded than the aver
age, or the women stronger minded.
or II neither Of them had to be differ
ent from other people"
David Barclay was thinking. He
began to realize the little girl beside
him was in earnest. Could she be in
love with someone Of whom he did not
know and did she really want his ad.
vice?
They were old friends, he and she,
almost enough SO for him to ask her
why she wanted his opinion. Once.
a long time ago. he had asked her
question that was more important
than this, one that she had not an
swered as be wished She was very
young then. SO young that now when
they met again after a long absence
on his part they each fancied the other
had forgotten. He found he could meet
her again calmly, even be alone with
her and act like a friend merely:
but in the depths of his heart he knew
he had not forgotten, that he never
would forget.
Your words still surprise me some
what" he said, and she wondered
why hie voice had grown gentler, "and
yet don't see, honestly, why the
woman shouldn't have the chance
when she wants TO use II, as well as
the man. / don't think she need be
stronger minded, necessarily, nor be
Of weaker character. think they
might be Just ordinary people like, for
Instance. you and me-"
How had he dared? The blood
seemed to have rushed to his heart
and to be pounding there unmercifm
ly.
Eileen Melchor had grown pale. or
no, was It his fancy?
Il wonder now-I don't believe
the woman wouldn't have the cour-
age" she said, and he believed her
voice trembled. "If--the man didn't
care, wouldn't she just want to die
OF shame7 Wouldn't she have tor"
why any more than a man in a
similar position7" he questioned. Re
member, we we're putting them on an
equal footing"
But a womans shame is terrible"
she faltered.
"A mans may be-" he persisted.
Don't you believe men can suffer?"
And II a woman has made a man
suffer. you think the man ought to be
given the same chance-in the ab-
straet?"
Perhaps direct, too. why not?"
Was he helping or hlndering her?
What did she want to say?
But men are brayer than women
when It comes to putting affection 10
q test"
I'm not 80 sure, They have the
advantage of custom and convention.
slity. A woman who dared 1t with
those obstacles would be far braver
than the average man"
She caught her breath sharply and
the crimson color came sweeping over
her face and neck. "MT. Barclay" she
said. and her voice was almost maud
bic. IL don't know how to say it
win you marry met"
He looked straight into her eyes
and kept his arms away from her by
force of VIII. Yes" he said gently.
Il will, When7"
"Any-any time" she faltered. and
Nhen her eyes brimmed over and the
drops foil on her dress he knew her
Woman's pride had broken for the time
being, and the love of hts manhood
Deed be held In leash no longer. But
the thought that WAS IN his mind
found expression In words as well.
You were always the dearest
woman ever knew" he said. Now I
know you are the bravest one"
But they both knew that she had
been brave only because love had car
ried all before 1t and conquered the
Roman's shame in her heart before
she could show It to him.-MARION
s. WoNsoN.
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