The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-10-05
Her COURAGE
BY SUSAN Z. cLAoEu.

They were discussing the barn dance
of the evening before.
1t had been a leap-year dance and
Madeline Brook threw back her head
with a laugh as she said:
1T was success, even to the din.
cult point Of a proposal. l heard one.
Who was the girl2 did not recognize
the voice. But l knew the m q. I
laughed with him about it when I
claimed my dance later on"
The face of the girl on the piazza
step famed red and there was q catch
IN her voice as she answered:
"Why shouldn't woman ask that
question? Why should she always
wait for the question to be asked of
Der by someone she can never care
for? Why should she stand by and see
the love she longs for given, perhaps,
to another woman, when word might
turn the mans thoughts toward her.
Suggestion plays a tremendous part in
life. The knowledge that a woman
cares keeps her more or less before
his mental vision. She is, in a way,
forced upon his notice. He may be
surprised that the initiative has been
taken from him, but the girl will be
more, not less, In his thoughts, and
the chances are happiness will come to
them both"
Her friend looked at her In amaze.
ment.
"Since when, my dear Eleanor, have
you been believer in the equal rights
ideaY''
II am no suffragist, Madeline, but
cannot see why, If woman cares, she
must hide her feelings until it pleases
q man to give her the opportunity to
express them. I believe there would
be more happy marriages If woman
had the same right of selection that
custom gives a man."
"And would y0u-?"
"WOuld you, what?" pleasant voice
inquired.
The girl went white as her friend
arose and gave her hand to the mar
who had come unseen across the grass
"Such an amusing thing" she laughed.
Eleanor is advocating equal rights"
"Why not? I have always though
women should have more latitude"
He turned toward the girl. keep the
courage of your convictions, Miss
Eleanor. Don't let anyone laugh you
out of them"
II am inclined to think her cour.
age would desert her If she attempted
to put her convictions to the test"
Madeline remarked dryly. "Eleanor lie
old-fashioned. Up to now there has
never been anything strongminded
about her."
1.-The trend of thought today is
surely against old-fashioned IDEAS" the
man replied genially, but neverthe.
less l think Miss Ishap possesses the
courage to go against convention If
she feels it right SO to do. 1t requires
strength of character to do the un.
usual"
High praise-but as you do not
know just what this is doubt If you
would think with her"
LET me be the judge" Howard
Chandler replied pleasantly. II am
not one to change my opinion without
due cause"
The girl on the steps had risen.
"While she tells you I will 60 on"
she said with a slight smile. Il am
already late for an appointment"
"Wait an instant. My curiosity must
be satisfied and then we will 60.
promised to find you," he explained,
answering her questioning look. "Your
veranda is filled with out-of-town
guests. saw you come in here and
offered to bring you home. Now, Miss
Madeline, what is the terrible thing
you are holding back?"
Merely the asking of question
now considered mans sole preroga-
tive" There was 4 world of meaning
In the glance she gave him. II do not
agree with her. Do you?"
His cool gray eyes held hint Of
hardness as he looked at her, but his
voice was pleasant. IL only know
that would feel hOnOred' If q woman
should see something in me that would
make for her happiness and was will
Ing to tell me SOL
His eyes contracted as he caught the
righteousness in the laugh THAT fol-
lowed them across tho yard.
There was no talk between the two
for some minutes. Eleanor broke the
silence US they came within sight of
her home.
1T was good of you to try and spare
me. Madeline overheard our talk last
evening. She suspected me, think,
but was not sure"
Il guessed as much. No. Don't 60
In just vet. l must confess to u tar
radiddle. 1t was the only way. There
are no visitors, but wanted Il talk
with you as l leave on the $3.50 for
Chicago" He hesitated IN instant,
then went on:
"That was brave thing You Gid