The Caucasian., 1913-12-07
CHOOSING A
BRAVE HUSBAND
Romantic Girls Method of
Testing Her Lovers.

Marion Martin would marry none but
a brave man. She had plenty of suit
ors, but since there were no evidences
of their courage she would not have
any of them. Finally, fearing that she
would die an old maid, she determined
to accept John Knowlton, fine look
ing fellow, standing six feet two in his
stockings, provided he would submit
himself to test. The next time John
came begging her to marry him she
told him that she would do so upon his
giving practical evidence that he was
no coward. He consented, and Marion
told him to spend night in the fam
lily vault in the cemetery. John did
not feel overpleased at being called
upon to submit to such an ordeal, but
he went with Marion to the cemetery,
which was near by, and she let him
into the vault.
Marion had no idea Of leaving her
lover to endure his watch unmolested.
She had other lovers, who were to par
ticipate in the trial Of courage. Ed
ward Larned, clipper little fellow
who was always spelling for fight,
called on her by appointment as soon
as she got home and was told to wind
a sheet about him and walk all night
back and forth past the family vault,
groaning at intervals. If he held his
ground till morning Marion would be
his. Larned accepted the terms joy
fully and. taking a sheet, went to the
cemetery.
He had not been long gone when
third lover, Ernest Trevor. appeared at
the Martin home.
'sWhat is it, Marion?' he asked.
II have called for you to give you an
answer to what you said to me on
Christmas eve last"
"Well?''
81 like you well enough to marry you
II you will prove your courage. Go to
our family vault in the cemetery. You
will find it unlocked. Enter and re
main there all night"
II will do no such thing"
"Are you afraid?"
''No. There would be nothing for me
to fear, but such an act would be sense
less"
Every well; there are others whom I
can marry who will not give such a
weak excuse to conceal their real mo-
tve-fear.''
You say that? By lingo, will show
you that am not afraid to. stay in
your vault. But understand that I re-
linquish your hand"
Trevor went home for some blankets,
thence to the cemetery. musing as he
went: "What a silly girl! thought
she had more sense. Nevertheless.
now ! am In for It, ! am rather pleased
at the prospect Of an adventure. Life
Is pretty dull in this old town."
Before he reached the vault he espied
a ghostiy ngure walking back and
forth before 1t and heard groans.
What little goose the girl is to put
man in sheet to guard the place!
Well, I'm In for 1t. / must drive the
fellow away or get laughed at in the
morning.
Just as he was about to advance upon
Larned the gate Of the vault opened,
and figure dashed out and away
with the rapidity of lightning.
The ghost. after stopping to look at
the flying figure, renewed its walk and
its groans.
Il don't propose to come out at the
tail of this business" Ernest said.
I've agreed to occupy the vault, and
] can't sleep with that fellow making
those unearthly groans all night. Eli
ther he or must move on
Larned suddenly received blow in
the back which landed him a dozen
feet away on the gravel walk. Before
he could get up he was knocked down
again and again till finally, regaining
his feet, he fed precipitately.
Now think will turn in," said
Ernest, and, going to the vault, he en-
tered and, spreading on the floor the
blankets he had brought with him.
sprawled himself on them and was
soon sound asleep.
Marion arose early and went to the
cemetery. Her heart was beating very
fast with expectation, and she was inn
patient to know whether the splendid
John Knowlton had proved himself q
brave man. As she approached the
vault and saw no one walking before It
she knew that Larned at least had not
won. Going nearer, she stopped and
listened. There was the sound OF a
prodigious snore. Surely that came
from the powerful lungs Of Know1ton.
Then she looked In between the bars,
and there was Ernest stretched ont
fast asleep.
The man who had won her had re-
hnquished her before doing So
Ernest! Ernest! Ernestr she cali
ed, raising her voice with each call.
Ernest awoke, yawned and saw the
face peeping through the bars
"What do you. mean by waking =
fellow at this early hour? Go away"
And he turned over for another nap.
.tCome: wake up. ! want to hear
about-about the Others"
What others? / saw a ghost walk
ing before this place when came and
g. IL