Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-08-28
A Reversal
Of Position
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

pelHS poor ANA not III 4 position to pro-
pose 70 her. The American method of
marriage is that the husband supports
the wife. But few such e%xpedierts
have been published. This is probably
because the matter is a delicate one,
concerning only the contracting par
ties.
George Parkinson was looking for
some signal from Leticia Scarborough.
He was Il sensitive fellow and would
make no advances himself whatever.
Miss Scarborough had a number of
SuitorS. who. whether or no they Dos
sessed the wherewithal to warrant
their asking her to marry them, We're
not backward in indicating their in
tention. George seldom went to see
her without stumbling on a fresh ar
rival of flowers sem by some fellow
as a 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 even
to indicate the fact in any formal or
informal way. He held that if a wom-
uh WALL q AoIulC "d1lCSu d "Iu WILL
out one for a husband she will find a
way to let him know that a proposal
from him will be accepted.
He had been on friendly terms with
her-to apply no 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 his 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 scene would sud
denly darken like a moving picture
screen when the films have run 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 sun and go out into space?
1t is a common thing for women to
bring men to a declaration by some
a%rtitice. but there are few cases of a
man scheming for q 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
that he was going to a far country to
take up a new abode. never to return.
This was WorSe-far Worse-than the
subterfuges women resort to, because
they usually mix up u 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 4 friend, and such dis.
inclination is no proof that a woman
will marry a man to keep him from go.
Ing to Il foreign country. She asked
the date of his departure, and George,
who was a trife impatient, said that i:
was fixed for week from that day.
You will surely come to see me be.
fore you go"' she asked.
Certainly. But 1 shall be very busy
for a few days before l depart. 1 will
call to say farewell next Wednesday
afternoon"
On the appointed day he called anL
was "ehered into the library. where he
found the lady sitting at a desk writ
ing Il letter. On his entrance she left
the desk to welcome him. After chat
ting with him for awhile she left tho
Z room, saying she had a little parting
: gift for him which she would brinc
back with her. George. after her with
Idrawal. went to the desk for a pencil
in order to write an address. Catching
a glimpse Of his name. he seemed una
bic to prevent a rapid glance at the
note. 1t was to the writer's most in
Innate friend. saying:
Today is my parting with George Par.
klnson. Would that ! were the man and
he the woman that | might propose tc
him!
There wasn't much of it., but there
was nothing indefinite in it. George