The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1913-07-04
LOvEMAkING OF
A PRACTICAL man
Started In Bravely, but End.
ed In Total Collapse.

matter In his life:"
This was my reply to Egleston
when he got of IL lot Of folderol about
love and sentiment and all that. ad-
init l was interested. for | was medi-
Eating a proposal myself. felt very
sure Lydia would have me. Why
shouldn't she? was a passabe fell
low; some property of my own; doing
we'll In business; fairly educated and
81 good social position. That's the
view | expected Lydia to take of me
and a union with me. not whether she
would decline me on the ground that
I didn't get maudlin over her or she
ever me- The question was. Having IL
fairly good offer with chance to set
tie down into matrimonial life. was
she to accept 1t or run the risk OF not
getting another rs acceptable! So l
went to her and said:
"Aliss Brinsley. I'm going to make
fou a propostion-nameIy. that we
pass our lives together as man and
wife till death do us part"
She looked at me out of a pair Of
keely eyes for few moments and
laid:
Elbow about divorce:"
! I've noticed that. 10 matter how
eomposedly a man makes up his mind
10 deal with woman. she straight
way sets about to discompose him.
1.-THE more common sense we put
into marriage the less likelihood
here'll be Of a divorce" said.
at is the only part Of marriage in
which there is likelihood. Death is
:ertain. Divorce is possible. sometimes
probable. 1t is a contingency that
,hould be provided for"
ut seems to me that the first ques-
Ion to he settled is whether you are
prepared to enter upon matrimony with
ne. After that we can take up the
provisions, II there are any"
''That's just like II man-always get
ding the cart before the horse. 1t
seems to me that the provisions should
3e settled first. The marriage is mere
y II possible conclusion to them
"Suppose." l said. that we leave d.
v0rce till the last of the provisions or.
ather, contingencies aud begin with
something of more immediate concern"
"Well, what's your income:"
Again | WINGED. not so much at the
question as ut her cold blooded man
Ter of asking it. However. consd-
.red 1t an emnently proper one to ask
Ind responded frankly:
II have from investments $500"
"Real estate. bonds, stocks or what ?"
This was getting irritating.
"After all. was right in the first
,lace," l said bit sharply. you ex-
)ect me to lay bare all my affairs to
you when you haven't given me the
'lightest intimution that il they are
satisfactory you will accept me for a
husband"
~ was not aware" she replied Jelly.
that expected anything. thought
hat you were the expectant person.
Oh. heavens! Worse and worse.
'at feeling and doubtless looking like a
DOL took out my handkerchief and
wiped my lips-they didn't need wiping
then busted some specks or my coat
:ollar. then crossed one leg over the
'ther and said nothing. Neither did
lydia.
II think" said presently, THAT
lad better
"Regin all over?"
A desire to get even with her by
aging something smart took posses
ZION of me. When man tries to beat
+. woman by saying something smart
,e always gets deeper In the mud.
"Or drop the subject" said. with
some hauteur.
"You haven't taken it up yet" was
Ter imperturbable reply.
What did she mean by this, I won
Tered. Haven't taken 1t up! ! thought
d very much taken it up.
"Perhaps you haven't understood"
said. what I've been talking about"
II dare say haven't"
Didn't make myself pluln?'
'rhat depends upon what you had to
ay."
was getting more miffed every mo-
nent. l looked ominously ut the door,
nut 1t didn't seem to brighten her.
ose. That didn't brighten her either.
ION reflection" l said. II think my
lowers Of stating things may be bet
err adapted to some other intellect"
MALE or female:''
This broke me up completely.
TODD stupidity looking down ut my
Oes.
why don't you go and explain it to
ONE nice man and let him come and
ell it to me-" she remarked.
There was nothing to be gained with
his cool creature. But her GOODNESS.
he disappointment suffered. every
hing, maddened me. secuted my
PRACTICAL ideas. would gladly have
brown myself Mt her feet and begged
or pity, mercy. anything except this
'orrible monster that stood between
s. But how could I jump from my
osition Of a practical marriage ar
anger to despairing lover? There
vas no hope. With feeble attempt
t Indifference went to the door,
Hearing a fiutter behind me. was
bout to turn when pair of arms
vas flung about me. and l was held
tight grasp.
Come back" she laughed, "and be.
IN anew And this time at the he.
inning"
What uynS tho I,s.u