The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-09-19
A Reversal
Of Position
By LOUISE 3.

There may be many ways by which
a girl with a fortune may propose to
the man she wants for a husband, he
pose to her. The American method of
marriage is that the husband supports
the wife. But few such expedieEts
have been published. This is probably
concerning only the contracting par
ties.
George Parkinson was looking for
some signal from Leticia Scarborough.
He was u sensitive fellow and would
make no advances himself whatever.
Miss Scarborough had a number of
suitors. who. whether or no they pos
sessed the w~herewithaI to warrant
their asking her to marry them, were
not backward in indicating their in
tention. George seldom went to see
her without stumbling on q fresh ar
rival Of flowers sent by some fellow
as u preliminary to an offer Of his
hand. They made him bite his lip, for
he very much wanted the young lady
for himself. but was too proud v
to indicate the fact in any formal or
informal way. He held that If a wom-
an with u future wanted q man with
out one for a husband she will find q
way to let him know that q proposal
from him will be accepted.
He had been on friendly terms with
her-to apply 10 stronger word-for
some months without her giving him
the signal. During this time other
stars had appeared in the matrimonial
heavens. but had disappeared like
those comets which. having once cir
cled around the sun. go forth never to
return. Out Of the withered flowers
they left George gathered hope. In
n way at least his position was pref
cradle to theirs-they had placed a gulf
between themselves and the lady by
proposing to her. George had done
nothing Of the kind. So long as he
was not a rejected sutton he was free
to continue mis- attentions ad libitum.
He noticed that they all went
through much the anne course. A
man would meet Miss Scarborough at
some function; would ask permission
to call; would do so several times.
Then an invitation to theater, concert
or opera would follow; more calls;
flowers. Then the e would sud-
denly darken like a moving picture
screen when the films have ruiz out.
The lady would remain; the man
would take himself out of her world
altogether.
George did not accuse Miss Scarbor-
ough of encouraging these men. He
knew that she wished simply to be
friendly with them. to avail herself
Of their attentions. for which, by the
bye, she always gave some kind of
return. and when she saw the usual
signs of a coming declaration she
strove to prevent it. What reason had
he to suppose. If he could bring him
self. as he expressed it. to ask her to
share her fortune with him. that he,
too. would not cease to revOlve about
the central iii and 20 out into space?
1t is u common thing for women to
bring men to Il declaration by some
a%rtifice. but there IRE few cases Of a
man scheming for u proposition from
a woman. Indeed, such a condition Is
an anomaly. George determined to do
that very thing. He did not pout at
something she had said to him; he did
not look languishingly at her nor drop
his eyes before her gaze. He told her
| khok ho rn,nc Dnin~ IN n FOR o0,,y,krx, 20
take up u new abode. to return.
This was wOrse-far wOrse-than the
subterfuges women resort to, because
they usually mix up a quantum of
truth in their statements. and in any
event custom excuses them for saying
one thing and meaning another. But
George deliberately lied.
He was somewhat encouraged when
he made the announcement Of his in
tended departure to her to see her
vince. But he remembered that no one
likes to give up a friend, and such dis
inclination is no proof that a woman
will marry a man to keep him from 60
ing to a foreign country. She asked
the date Of his departure. and George.
who "a a tribe impatient. said that It
was fixed for one week from that day.
"You will surely come to see me be.
fore you go?' she asked.
Certainly. But I shall be very busy
for a few days before l depart. I will
cali to say farewell next Wednesday
afternoon"
On the appointed day no called and
was ushered into the library. where he
found the lady sitting at q desk writ
ing q letter. On his entrance she left
the desk to welcome him. After chat
ting with him for awhile she left the
room, saying she had q little parting
gift for him which she would bring
back with her. George. after her with.
drawal. went to the desk for q pencil
In order t. write an address. Catching
q glimpse Of his name. he seemed una