The daily Alaskan., 1913-01-08
A LEAP IN
 THE DARK
By ESTHER VANDEvEER

Miss Eldrldge," said Mir Tourtelotte, I have called on a matter of great lm- oortance to me; whether 1t is of any importance whatever to you remains to be seen. You remember we met but month ago on a yachting party; that I chatted with you casually on that occasion; that you graciOusly permitted me to call upon you; that have seen you since that first meeting perhaps a dozen times, During these meetings It has been but natural that l should take pains to conceal my faults; that l should wish to appear to you in as favorable a light as possible, You can have gained only a superficial knowl- edge of my character. l may be strong or weak, generous or mean, we'll poised or passionate, but you do not know which of these traits I posses.
 Nevertheless have come to ask you to be my wife. Why I have done so, promising my invitation by calling your attention to your meager knowledge of me, I will explain in few words. do not believe that, however long man Is acquainted with a 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, l have observed that friendship rarely brings love. The sex es mate through a mysterious drawing together under the influence of what we call love, and an the world knows that love Is blind ! therefore ask you to take the leap with me In the dark
 After this extremely well poised proposition Mir. Tourteotte took out his handkerchief. drew lt across his mouth-with no purpose that was ap- parent-put it again fin his pocket and awaited Miss Eldridge's reply with his eyes fixed on the ceiling, Miss Eldridge preferred looking on the floor; from which some women scornlng men would infer that the male asplres while the female grovels.
 "I assure you. Mir Tourtelotte," re- piled the lady, that l appreciate-am deeply touched-by the compliment you pay me. am not surprised that one of your age should look upon marriage as a leap in the dark. | have always myself considered it so, and perhaps that Is the reason why l am approach ing middle age without having married Like you, I am somewhat analytical While I see in man a great deal that is noble, I also perceive a great deal that a woman cannot admire. Till the twentieth century 1t 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 it is still a disputed point among the men whether we have souls"-
 Pardon me-" Mir Tourtelotte Inter rupted, the lady becoming more and more wrought up with these growing injustlCes. "Our men in America are not descended from these semlcivilized races; we are even more considerate of our women than our Caucasian breth- ren 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 somewhat further from the matter that pertains to you and me alone than I had intended. I will return to it l propose a trial engagement for six months. will agree to show myself to you just as I am at home; you to pledge yourself to do the same fin your own case.'
 "Dld I 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, "I see no hope for marriage in our case. cannot consent to wed. lock with man who for aught know may turn out to be a villain, who may maltreat me, and for whom love may turn to-
 q regret your decision, though l cannot commend its common sense. would rather have given you an oppOr- tunlty to know me better, but I have not the time. Tomorrow go to China to engage In business, hoped to take you with me. My disappointment is very great"
 An impressive silence followed.
 "Must you go SO soon?" she asked.
 'T could not possibly remain over for a single day"
 Another impressive silence.
 '1t Is a terrible risk"
 Terrible"
 "But'-
 "But''-
 q know you are a gentleman, and thInk vou must be good man"