Morris tribune., 1913-07-18
A Reversal
OF Position
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

pose to her. The American method of
marriage is that the husband supports
IRE wife. But few such expedieEts
have been published. This is probably
Because the matter is a delicate one,
concerning only the contracting par
Ges.
George Parkinson was looking for
some signal from Leticia Scarborough.
Ne was a sensitive fellow and would
make no advances himself whatever.
Miss Scarborough had a number Of
SUitors, who, whether or no they pos
zessed the wherewithal to warrant
S3seir asking her to marry them, were
not backward in indicating their in
aention George seldom went to see
her without stumbling on a fresh ar
Eival of flowers sent by some fellow
Gg a preliminary to an offer of his
Band They made him bite his lip, for
BE very much wanted the young lady
Coz himself, but was too proud even
% indicate the fact in any formal or
Infornal way. He held that If a wom-
an with a future wanted man with
sat one for a husband she will find
way to let him know that a proposal
ErOm him will be accepted.
He had been on friendly terms with
Aer-to apply no stronger wOrd-for
g0me months without her giving him
she signal During this time other
stars had appeared in the matrimonial
heavens, but had disappeared like
those comets which, having once cir
gfed around the sun, go forth never to
Seturn. Out of the withered flowers
8Hey left George gathered hope. In
gne way at least his position was pref
SrabIe 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
10 continue his attentions ad libitum.
He noticed that they all went
ShrOugh much the same course. A
man would meet Miss Scarborough at
some function; would ask permission
30 call; would do SO several times
Then an invitation to theater, concert
or opera would follow; more calls;
aOwers. Then the scene would sud
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-
Sugh of encouraging these men. He
Knew that she wished simply to be
arfendly with them, to avail herself
Of their attentions, for which, by the
Dye, 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
Be to suppose, If he could bring him
self, as he expressed it, to ask 'her to
share her fortune with him, that he,
go, would not cease to revolve about
Ghe central sun and go out into space? a
It is a common thing for women to
BTing men to declaration by some
aXtifice, but there are few cases of
man scheming for a proposition from
y woman. Indeed, such condition Is
!. aH 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
ms eyes before her gaze. He told her
Shat he was going to far country to
Take up new abode, never to return.
This was wOrse-far worse-than the
Subterfuges women resort to, because
T10iW
GTHth in their statements, and in any
event custom excuses them for saying
Sne thing and meaning another. But
George deliberately lied.
He was somewhat encouraged when
ne made the announcement of his in
5ended departure to her to see her
vince. But he remembered that no one
nkes to give up friend, and such dis
INCLINATION is no proof that a woman
Wall marry man to keep him from go
2g to foreign country. She asked
the date Of his departure, and George.
who was trife impatient, said that it
was fixed for one week from that day.
You will surely come to see me be-
90re you go?" she asked.
s54 Certainly. But shall be very busy
1seT few days before depart. l will
GAn to say farewell next Wednesday
afternoon"
On the appointed day he called and
was ushered into the library, where he
Dund the lady sitting at desk writ
Ag letter. On his entrance she left
ne desk to welcome him. After chat
ing with him for awhile she left the
SOom saying she had a little parting
gift for him which she would bring
gEck with her. George, after her with
4rawal, went to the desk for a pencil
"a order to write an address. Catching
2 glimpse Of his name, he seemed una
DE To- prevent rapid glance at the
note. 1T was to the writer's most in
ssmate friend, saying:
Today is my parting with George Par
1lnson. Would that were the man and
9e the woman that I might propose to
aim
There wasn't much of it, but there
was nothing indefinite in If. Georoo