Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-11-17
Their Problem
By MARTIN CANSVOORT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

ii Copyright by American Press AsSo-
ii citation, 1911.
My niece, Molly Brice, is a great
admirer Of the introspective school of
fiction. She is also ambitious to scrib-
bic. Young aspirnnts for fame in the
literary field usually begin by attempt
Ing to copy the author they consider
tho nearest to perfection. The other
day Molly brought me a story and
asked me to read and criticise 1t. l
saw at once that she had been trying
to duplicate the two famous authors
who inaugurated and head the intro
spective school. She called It Their
Problem" l agreed to read a chapter
or two while she waited
A girl sat before an open fire en-
broidering. A dainty slippered toe
peeped from the edge Of her gown.
She looked at the clock that marked
the hour Of seventeen minutes to 8.
She was expecting a young man to
visit her.
"Will he propose tonight" she ask
ed herself. "or will he spend several
more months dallying? And am 1
ready to give him a definite answer?
What does my heart say? Vainly I
have asked the question. Is he in
doubt as to his own heart or are there
practical reasons for this delayl Is
he q delayer or triherT
She dropped her work in her lap.
supported her temple with her fair.
round hand and peered into the fire.
She had asked herself seven ques-
lions and had no answer for any one
Of them. Having an analytical mind,
she Set herself to the task Of unrnvel-
ing the problem Of which they were a
part. beginning with one that concerned
her own inner consciousness. "Know
thyself." said the Greek philosopher.
III do net know my own mind, how
can expect John to know his7 Let
me first determine that on which all
the rest depends. Do love himf
what Is love? Poets have sung 1t.
artists have painted 1t. but who has
told us what 1t Is"
Here at the outset Gwendolen was
baked In her queries. How could she
determine whether or no she loved
John when she did not know what
love IL? Either must define love-"
she unused, "Or I shall not be ready
with his answer when he comes"
She took up a box Of bonbons he
had sent her that afternoon, and, In
closing one Of them between her fore
finger and thumb-the nails were
pared in pointed style-she put it be-
tween her coral lips, biting it with her
white teeth. Then she sat herself to
the task Of defining love.
Suppose" she said. II make few
hypothesis as to the nature Of love.
Thus perhaps l may be able to select
the one that nearest fits my own
case
"A man Is attentive to a girl. He
sends her candy and flowers. She
eats the candy and inhales the deli
cious odor of the flowers. She con-
siders the donor nice. He continues
these trifiing gifts. He pays her COM
pliments. She comes to consider him
very nice. Suddenly he ceases his at
tentions and bestows them on another
girl. The first Is furious.
"Is this case Of true love!
"a girl goes to a matinee. The
hero Of the drama thrills her. She
goes again and again. never contented
unless looking upon his noble features.
to the godlike sentiments he
expresses in his deep melodious voice.
HE is pointed out to her on the
street In checkerboard suit. His head
Is a third smaller than when on tho
stage. His Roman nose has become a
pug. She hears him make a coarse
remark. She turns away. sadder and
wiser.
us this love?
"A young man sees a girl at win
dow. She looks down upon him for a
moment, and their eyes meet. A clan
destine affair is the result. The girl
is intended for a splendid marriage.
whereas her admirer Is a poor artist.
She Is kept q prisoner. but finds op-
portunity for fight and marries her
artist. The depth Of the passion be-
tween them has overcome oil obsta-
cles.
This Is love-"
For a moment Gwendolen's eye
frightened under the belief that she
had solved the problem. but the next
she sighed.
"How long viii It last?''
There was another encouragement.
No opposition had been made by her
parents or any one else's to Johns at
tentions; nothing to kindle that fame
she considered necessary to true love.
John was proceeding in the usual way
Of men who have met girls they wish
to marry. sending candy, flowers. thea
ter tickets and such gifts as are per-
missible for young lady to accept.
had read thus far when I threw
down the manuscript impatiently.
"Do read on q little longer. uncle"
pleaded Molly.
"What comes nextr'
what nextl Why. John. he looks
into his feeling toor'
"For how longr'
"For the next chapter"
"When do they solve the problemr'
why. at the end Of the story. Of
course!
"How many chapters?"
"Forty-seven."
Molly" I said, ats beautiful The
osly trouble as to my finishing It Is
want Of time"
may be blamed for not giving my
true opinion Of the story, but doubt