El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-04-04
The WOOing Of Miriam
The Herald's Daily
ShortStOry

SeLL comfortably IN one arm CAlellA o
watching her as she lay back in the
depths of another, her red hair, backed
by brown cushion, en1ramlng ner
pale face. her brown eyes thOughtIully
following the blue curls Of smoke that
drifted up from the cigaret held De-
tween her full red lips; and a silly ire
sistible longing came over me TO KISS
that slender white throat that lay pare
above the low. square cut neck OF her
black gown
She spoke, and the spell was broken
Il was dreaming" she said almost
apOlOgeically. Il was going to tell
you why I came to see you. DO you re
member when you stole the ar1thmetlc
crib at school and I got into the row.
Yes, I was a little beast!-
You We're, but don't interrupt At
hot headed bOyish way that If ever I
were in trouble I was to come to you
and-Ive come She finished some
what lamely.
HIN. Did I? Yes, see you've come
I felt I must tread cautiously. She was
on the money tack and my admira-
ton began to wither
And you are going to get me out OF
my trouble, aren't yOu?'
First answer my question. Flow did
you find out where I was nv;ng7'
Il saw you come out Of this flat this
morning, and I recognized you at once,
and I thought to myself 'Ginger's the
very man! "
a hundred al the very least. I knew it.
Perhaps IL might make II bit
clearer II I told you more about It
''Try-lt couldn't make 1t less ctc3r.
i want you to become engaged 70
me"
What" Ny remark may not have
been polite perhaps, but my defence is
that the proposal was somewhat sud
den, and, TO say the least OF II uneX-
Pected- She merely looked at me.
II know its leap year and all
that / began somewhat lameIy at last
"but-but don't you think it's rather
student You're an awfully nice girl but
/ don't know very much about you, and
well, I thought YOU had come 20 Dor
row money" I blurted out
For a moment she looked hurt then
she burst out laughing
Poor old Ginger what a scare, but
don't be frightened, I don't mean
really / only mean pretend
Somehow that seemed worse. she
did not give me time to speak
It's like this. Ny father wants me
to marry Joseph Isaacs, my cousin, pc
cause OF his money. but he mas said
that If I can get another rich man 70
propose TO me ] need not marry Joe
He has only given me two days 10 find
my man. the time expires tomorrow
midday. and I've found YOU"
Yes. that's all very well. but
Don't begin putting I've got 1t all
clear When I refuse Joe. he'll be aw-
fully mad, but in less than SIX months
ne ElA4 marry my younger SASlc4s RUIN
the dad viii be so pleased at the mar
riage that he wouldn't think much
about Il If you and I break off our
engagement and you can go your
way and / can go mine"
But suppOsing friend Joe does not
marry Ruth In six months2
Well we shall have to be engaged
until he does"
And md, what is TO- be my reward Tor
She lifted her eyebrows and smiled
questioningly.
DO you want any other reward than
the honor Of being my fiance?"
For six months, and then TO be
thrown away like an old glove2 Be
sides, ! should hate a breach OF prom
ise'
You don't surely think I should
come on YOU for breach Of promise
You might not, but your rather,
You can rest assured about that aIy
father is too fond of me to allow my
name to be dragged through the pa
pers."
his money"
That's differentiation his point OF
view she added. We'll, now, can we
consider that settled?'
NO. You cannot I snapped. Il utter J
~ ana absolutely refuse 10 De a part Z
ner IN this deception. It's not myself :
m thinking Of 1 am quite willing 10
altar q felt my red hair smuggling my 1
Aalo), but it's your father. consider I
II very wrong und unduuful OF you 10 ]
deceive him In this way. It's d1snon- /
Olable. Miriam, very / puS on my most I
snug and complacent expression.
Dear, honorable old Ginger she I
murmured- But there, that is the way (
with men When you were a DOy' ] I
was nearly expelled through mean /
act OF ours, and now you turn round I
ana call me dishonorabl2. Nell' Weii, I
II was ever thus" and she turned as /
II to put her hat on.
Don't get out Of temper so quickly
1 put in sit down and let us work /
this matter out calmly Two heads are 1
better than one, especially two red not /
ones me arrangement seemCu On uh- \
fair one, but 1 did not want her &c go
I felt my study would be cold md !
cheerless when she had gone. BeslQes, D
/ did not want her 10 marry THIS 10
seDP Isaacs.
''Ah, now you are going to'bo 7enss-
BILE"
She settled herself on the rug before
the fire, opposite TO me, ana Iedheu /
back against the chair.
Now I am going TO question you L /
began. rs there any other man you are 1
fond Of besides Joe lsaacs
But I am not fond OF joe
You know what 1 mean Are you
fond Of any man.
Then why I'm the name or all that
wonderful can't YOU go and make your
proposition to himg'
IT have
And won't he do it,"
He says II is dishonorable-'
That is just what j Say- 30 you
came TO me because YOU thought 1 !
would not mind doing dishonoraole
act2'
"Oh Ginger. fl was not that" Her
voice was sincere and full OF rebuHe.
-elt It.
who is this other man?'
why do YOU ask2''
Because 7 want TO know"
"I cannot tell YOU
do 7 know him."
Yes"
OH There was silence for MIN