Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-04
PRACTICAL FOR THE WOMAN AND The
The Daily Story
Delphine's Choice

backed. Die was OF no more consequence
than n pet dog, except that his min
In his poor, ugly body was like the peal
in the oyster she'll SO he was more en-
tertainlns, and besides being a menta
how he could sing!
"Delphlne," began abruptly "in Hol
land they have four Sundays in Noven.
ber--"
You don't sayi" raising slender hand
In exaggerated surprise. DO you sup
pose they ever have hve7"
Listen. Four Sundays, known as Re
view, Decision. Purchase and Possession
On Review Sunday all the unmarried mer
and women so to church, look at one an
other but don't speak"
How sillyi" remarked Delphne.
'On Decision Sunday each man wnC
| wants wife bows low before the nader
of his choice, and by her response he
judges of her feelings toward him"
Delphine Uttered.
"On Purchase Sunday he asks her par.
ents' consent, and on Possession Sunday
they appear as actual or prospective
brides and bridegrooms am telling you
because I was once foolish enough to
promise not to ask you to marry me.
beg to remind you that next Sunday is
Decision Sunday. the second in Novem-
ber also that there is more than one
way to kill cat"
Delphine regarded me with amusement.
'Dick. I think you are the silliest ever,
she laughed. as she and the auto and
Jerry went speeding away
That evening my cgotism was slightly
Jared. Hathaway of the blond head and
the lig heart Joined me on the porch.
Hathaway, bubbling over with some
thing too good to keep. After five min
utes' conversation I learned that Miss
DelphIne had once more made him prom
ise that he shouldn't court her, and that
today she had told him an interesting tale
of how the men of Copenhagen, or South
Africa or some other darned place got
their wives. And why should she tell INN
all that unless she was limiting to him Of
an honorable way to break an unwilling
promise?
Why. indeed, thought wrathfully, as
later and alone, | brooded over the mat
ter leaving Hathaway and dozen others
to dance with Delphine Mt the Casino.
had other fish to fry. and was going to
fry them good and brown. too, At last
my plans were perfected Fastening to
the Casino, l buttonholed the reluctant
Hathaway, and finally cajoled him into
doing what l wanted. Then we hunted up
and explained to 10 other fellows who,
with one exception, entered merriy into
the scheme.
But. hang it, Dick" protested the ex-
ception. I'm already engaged"
Don't worry. Jenkins" consoled Hath
away, she will accept Dick or me, /
know"
1T won't be Hathaway, I am sure" I
said, shamming a confidence l did not
own.
On Sunday morning, when Delphine and
her father came out of church, their as
tonishcd eyes beheld 12 men lined up neal
the red auto Twelve? Ay, 13; for Jerry.
with smiling lips and weary eyes, stood
with us. We bowed as one man before
her; and. unmindful of the staring con-
Gregation. the girl responded with a
quaint little courtesy
Delighted to see YOU" she said cor
daily. Papa, will you invite the gentle
men to dine at the hotel with us?"
Bewildered looking. papa complied and
motloned Jerry to enter the car.
Don't see that anybody gained more
than anybody else" grumbled Hathaway,
as we followed the autos wake.
Except Jerry" Grinned jenkins.
At the dinners close Delphine's father
told us that they were going home. They
were tired of the gay resort.
You fellows come over and dine with
Is at The Oaks next Sunday" she said
Senialy.
We accepted with alacrity, glad to carry
out the remainder of the program in the
confines of a home instead of a hotel
and every mothers son of us was at the
gate OF The Oaks at O'Clock on the next
Sunday. the third in
November We decided that after dinner
would be the best time to approach Del
1hine's father.
haN N OF ha re
he biggest" said one of the boys.
Lets draw lots for our places" sus-
;ested Jenkins.
II did draw number one. Darned If
iidn't." exclaimed the big fellow. Seven
S the best. Who has the lucky seven?"
The crooked backed held up the magic
lumber.
Don't lose any sleep over it. boys" he
aid, mockingly. You never for a mo-
nent supposed that / was in the running,
lid you? I followed along at first just to
zee the fun, but I'm out now"
Going up the palm-lined drive, he and |
fell behind the others.
Don't desert us now. Jerry" I said alb |
emily, my mind coming my request be-
ore Delphine's father.
DO you think I'd have the face to ask |
Ter TO burden her splendid young life |
With me?" he demanded flercely.
Delphine's father took the conversation |
pretty much into his own hands AS /
We ate our soup, he talked of Dyak of |
5orneo's betrothal customs.
AS the coffee was served her clear |
'oice took up the conversation
you left out the prettiest of them all, |
,apa," she said, smiling at him, the |
,ustom Of the Yao Midas, a Burmese |
Tartar people. They WOO only by music. |
rhe suitor sits under desire tree, and |
'lays his favorite instrument AS the |
Sirl Of his choice approaches, he plays |
ouder and with more feeling. II she |
'ass by he realizes that she will have
zone OF him. but should she stop and |
ay flower upon whatever instrument
le is playing, he knows that he has
Won her"
Hum" grunted her father as We
ose from the table. Delphine and her
;uests went to the veranda, while the
nan In whose hands lay our fate. went
o his library.
Presently Hathaway. with a very red
ace slipped in. He came out with a
wager that made me want to punch
lis blond head. Next was Jenkins, who
anne out looking scared.
Il don't see how she can accept more
han one OF u.s." l thought.
When. my turn came-the l2th-I found
'elphine's father looking exceedlhgly
ored.
Permit me TO say that / think you
elbows are a pack OF FOOLS" he re-
marked. However 1 am instructed to
ay that you may have her, and bless
III