Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-10-27
The Sunday Story
A LEAP IN
THE DARK
., ESTHER vANpEvEER

Importance whatever to you remains
to be seen. You remember We met but
4 month ago on a yachting party; that
l chatted with you casually on that
occasion; that you graciously permitted
me to call upon you; that have seen
you since that nrst meeting perhaps
dozen times. During these meetings II
has been but natural that should take
pains to conceal my faults: that
should wish to appear to you In -
favorable light A. possible. You can
have gained only a superficial knowl-
edge Of my character. I may be strong
or weak, generous or mean, we'll poised
or passionate. but you do mot know
which Of these traits posses.
Nevertheless have come to ask you
to be my wife. Why I have done 20.
promising my invitation by calling your
attention to your meager knowledge OF
me, l will explain in Z few words.
do not believe that. however long q
man il 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
VI call love, and all the world knows
that love 10 blind. therefore ask you
to tnke the leap with me In the dark"
After this extremely we'll poised
proposition Mr.. Tourtelotte took out
his handkerchief, drew It across his
mouth-with no purpose that was ap-
parent-put 1t again in his pocket and
awaited Miss Eldridge's reply with bis
eyes fixed on the ceiling. Miss Eldridge
preferred looking on the door: 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 appreciate--am
deeply touched-by the compliment you
pay me. l am not surprised that one
/ Of your age should look upon marriage
myself considered It 80, and perhaps
that Is the reason why l am approach
ing middle age without having married.
Like you, l am somewhat analytical.
While l see in man a great deal that
Is noble. l also perceive q great deal
that q woman cannot admire. TIL the
twentieth century It has been his
province to be a master to his wife.
It is only recently that brides are re-
fusing to use the word obey in the
marriage service. Then. too. a 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 1t Is still a 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
injustices. "Our men In America are
not descended from these semlcivilizcd
races: we are even more considerable Of
our women than our Caucasian breth-
rem In Europe. Neither the Germans
nor the English have the reputation for
consideration Of women that We have
in America"
PRAY excuse me. the wrongs our
, sex have suffered for centuries led me
; that pertains to You and me alone than
had intended. will return to It l
propose a trial engagement for six
months. will agree to show myself
, to you just as l am at home: you to
, pledge yourself to do the same in your
, own case"
E Ibid not say that we can never
really know each other without having
lived together as man and wife?"
'In that case" said Miss Eldridge
decidedly, II see no hope for marriage
in our case. I cannot consent to wed.
/, lock with man who for aught know
. may turn out to be villain. who may
, maltreat me, and for whom love may
!, turn to-
$ Il regret your decision, though I
e cannot commend it's common sense.
y would rather have given you an oppor.
tunity to know mo better. but I have
not the time. Tomorrow I 60 to China
, to engage In business. ! hoped to take
I you with me. Ny disappointment ID
' very great"
An impressive silence followed.
"Must you 90 90 soonT' she asked.
II could not possibly remain over
for 4 single day."
Another impressive silence
ut II 4 terrible risks'
= Terrible"
4 But
"But''-
r II know you are gentleman. and
J. think you must be good man."
3 you are not certain"
II think
"You think?'
"I'll risk Il"
:. The next morning at O'Clock thses
I | Nan n KAd6inG. and thu hriAal mai