The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-09-21
A LEAP IN
THE DARK
By ESTHER VANDEVEER


chatted with you casually on that
occasion; that you graciously permitted
me to call upon you; that ! have seen
you since that first meeting perhaps a
dozen times. During these meetings 1t
has been but natural that should take
pains to conceal my faults; that !
should wish to appear to you In as
favorable light rs possible. You can
have gained only superficial knowl-
edge of my character. | may be strong
|or weak. generous or mean, well poised
or passionate, but you do not know
which of these traits posses
Nevertheless have come to ask you
to he my wife, Why have done so.
promising my invitation by calling your
attention 10 your meager knowledge Of
me. ] will explain in n few words.
do not believe that however long a
man is acquainted with woman or
vice versa, the one can learn the others
good or bad qualities. To discover this
they must have been married some
time.
Furthermore, / have observed that
friendship rarely brings love. The sex
es mate through a mysterious drawing
together under the influence OF what
we call love. and ali the world knows
that love is blind. ] therefore ask you
10 take the leap with me In the dark"
After this extremely well poised
proposition Mr.. Tourtelotte took out
IN L nv of 1rnx u
Inouth-with no purpose that was ap-
parent-put II again In his pocket and
awaited Miss Eldridges reply with his
eyes fixed OH the ceiling. Miss Eldridge
preferred looking on the floor; from
which some women scorning men
would infer that the male aspires while
the female grovels.
II assure you. Mr.. Tourtelotte." re-
piled the lady. THAT l appreciate
deeply touched-by the compliment you
pay me. | am not surprised that one
of your age should look upon marriage
as leap In the dark. ! have always
myself considered 1t so, and perhaps
that is the reason why | am approach
ing middle age without having married.
Like you. | am somewhat analytical.
While | see in man great deal that
Is noble. | also perceive great deal
that Il woman cannot admire. Till the
twentieth century 1t has been his
province to be master to his wife.
1t is only recently that brides are re-
fusing to use the word obey in the
marriage service. Then. too. woman
has no assurance when she marries
that she will be gently treated. Our
forefathers who lived In the middle
ages considered women as their in
feriors. In some barbarous lands to-
day girl children are made away with |
Among the Turks it is still disputed |
point among the men whether we have !
souls
Pardon me-" Mr.. Tourtelotte inter- |
rupted, the lady becoming more and /
more wrought up with these growing /
iniustices. "Our men In America are |
not descended from these semlciviized /
races: we are even more considerable Of I
our women than our Caucasian breth-
zen in Europe. Neither the Germans I
nor the English have the reputation for
consideration of women that we have
In America
Pray excuse me- the wrongs our
rex have suffered for centuries led me
somewhat further from the matter
that pertains TO you and me alone than
| had intended I will return to II.
propose trial engagement for six
months. will agree to show myself
pledge yourself to do the same In your I
own case
Did | not say that we can never
really know each other without having
lived together as man and wife,"
I'm that case" said Miss Eldridge
IN our case. 7 cannot consent to we'd
lock with a man who for aught know
may turn out to be villain. who may
me. and for whom love may
turn to-
II regret your decision though
commend it's common sense |
would rather have given you an oppor-
tunity to know me better but | have
not the time. Tomorrow l go to China
to engage in business, hoped TO take
you with me. My disappointment is
rery great"
An impressive silence followed.
Must you go so soon?" she asked.
II could not possibly remain over
Tor n single day"
Another impressive silence.
at is n terrible risk"
Terrible
But
But
II know you are gentleman. and !
'hink you must he good man"
Won are not certain" {
Il think
"Ynu Think
"Ill risk It."
The next morning at o'clock there +,
vas II wedding. and the bridal pair
} lied at 10. II
When the two we're on the ocean an Il
'ther dialogue occurred The husband
aid: q
How. with all your misgivings as
o men generally and one you thought l
f marrying in particular. could you so !.
take the leap In the dark?"
Firstly. 1t is the only condition nm !
Ter which could marry at all: and I
aaondIv think TAXING "a rich af+o, I