The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-08-22
C:yniic and
Siren

Siren expectantly.
After ALL" she murmured dreamily
what Is lover"
Lover repeated the Cynic vaguely
ooh, love-love Is a concrete name
given to many abstract emotions
Sometimes It's the frame, and some
times It's the picture; and sometimes
It's just-just spasm round the
heart"
I'm afraid you really are Cynic,'
said the Siren regretfully.
"A Cynic." said he gloomily. us
man who knows everything. and un
derstands nothing. Thank you"
The Siren looked dubious, but nat
ural kindness OF disposition kept hei
silent. How" she demanded present
ly, can one be sure that one Is In
lover"
That" sighed the Cynic. "is the
eternal tragedy OF life."
That one can't be sure?"
No, that one always Ia sure"
II don't see that that's tragic" she
protested.
"Ah but 1t IT, Though ignorance
may be bliss. when 1t becomes knowl
edge It's tragedy"
But knowledge" argued the Siren,
us happiness"
"A phrase he sneered. taught to
cheerful fools by gloomy philosophers,
The only wisdom Is cheerfulness. A
thing Is what we think It,"
You're frightfully-whats the
word ?-enigmatical." said the Siren
pathetically. Il wish you wouldn't
be. You're 80 deep. it's like talking
to a coal mine"
There was silence for few mo-
ments
you haven't given me my answer
yet" urged the man.
I'm trying to think of it," answered
the woman.
IF one only knew what love wasl'
said the Siren plaintively. Does II
lead to a union of hearts or a dissolu
ton Of marriage?"
Neither" replied the Cynic. Love
Is footpath leading to everywhere;
or. II you prefer 1t, it's a porchway
leading to house that's just as big
as you think 1t is."
For a beginner" said the Siren
distrustfully, you talk with a good
deal of authority"
Love-" he explained, differs In
that respect from other sciences. We
begin as experts and wind up as
novices."
you mean. them" said the Siren
to whom love was an art and not o
science. that you don't really know
anything about love-"
ION the contrary" said the Cynic
patiently, II have Just been to some
trouble to explain to you that l know
everything"
"Am," said the Siren doubtfully
Well, let's take marriage.
Had we got as far as marriage?'
she broke off to inquire. We'll, any
how. marriage Is akin to love, ano
we'd got to that"
Some people say marriage meani
taking from both and giving to Meth
er; halying ones joys and doubling
ones sorrows. or course, that's tn.
oNihou punt Vi view, BIG
From any point of view," said th<
Cynic, marriage Is selfish. Both par
ties receive so much and give so lit
tie"
They say" resumed the Siren re
fectively. that marriages are mad.
in heaven; I'm afraid they're mostl,
made for export, though"
I'm ha oL4
Cynic, "all true marriages are lived II
heaven"
"But marriage Is $3.50 Definite
she said nervously; zone word, ant
snap-it's just trap"
Quite as often It's the bait"
do you think SO? Why Is 1t pee
pie do narry?"
The modern GIRL" said the Cynic
living up to his reputation, appear
to marry because she wants to leari
how to cook; the young man becaus.
he's afraid of his landlady"
No, but seriously"
Seriously. the woman marries be
cause she wants to be taken care of
and the man that he may have some
body to respect him. They are boil
doomed to disappointment; In few
months it's the man who gets takeI
care of. and the woman who gets tht
respect"
do you mean," demanded the Siren
that a woman never respects her hus
band?"
mot II she loves him."
"Not?" Her voice became almost
shrill. mot. did you say?"
Eyes, A woman may sometimes
love, or sometimes respect her bus
band. but she can't do both. 1t is
weakness We love. strength we only
respect 1t Is one Of the compensa
lions OF nature that the weakling
should love everything in the fight
Of life-except the one thing worth
winning. The strong man may found
nation. but not family; may de
fend million hearths. but never one
of his own. To one. the sweetness OF
defeat; to the other. the bitterness OF
victory"
There was silence for a moment
What Is your answer" said the
man. "Will you marry me?"
"But-but I respect you." she fall
tered. her eyes dewy with regret.
"A woman should always respect
her lover; 1t is her husband she should