The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-12-07
Her COURAGE
BY SUSAN e. cLAGEr.

Claimed my dance later on"
The face of the girl on the piazza
step famed red and there wus & catch
IN her voice us 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. lie may he
surprised that the initiative has been
taken from him, but the girl will he
more, not less, in his thoughts, and
the chances are happiness will come to
them BOTH"
Her friend looked ut her in amaze.
ment.
Since when, my dear Eleanor, have
you been a believer in the equal rights
tdea?"
Il am no suffragist, Madeline, but ]
cannot see why, If u woman cares, she
must hide her feelings until it ple;,ses
man to give her the opportunity tc
express them. 1 believe there would
be more happy marriages if woman
had the same right Of selection that
custom gives man."
"And would you-?"
"Would you, what 2" n 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
"Elran"r is advocating equal rights"
"Why not? have always thought
women should have more latitude"
He turned toward the girl. "kcep the
c"urtS" of your convictions. Miss
Eleanor. Don't let anyone laugh yu,
cut of Them
II am inclined to think her co,lr.
aye would desert her if she attempted
Z" put iiCi NplNiNiiUIlS w tll&' TEST,
Madeline remarked ,ryly. "I,lcunor is
old-fashioned. Up to now there has
never been anything strongminded
about her."
"rhe trend of thought today is
surely against old-fashioncd IDEAS" the
man replied gcnialIy, but nevcrlh.
less think Miss Ish;,p possesses the
courage to go against convention il
she feels il right SO to do. 1t requires
strength of character to do the I'LL.
usual"
"Iligh 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. 81 am
not one to change my opinion without
due cause"
The girl on the steps had risen
willie she tells you will go on"
she said with a slight smile. Il am
already late for an appointment"
WAIT an instant Ny curiosity must
be satisfied and then we will go. |
promised to find you" he explained,
answering her questioning look. "Yoar
vcran,la is filled Mith n;t-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 bacli?"
Merely the asking of a question
now considered mans sole prrrog;l-
tive" There was u world of lnr:,ning
in the glance she gave him. II do not
agree with her. DO you!"
His cool gray eyes held Il hint Of
h;itlnrss as he looked at her, but his
voice was pleasant. Il only knew
that would feel hOuOred if a woman
should see something in me that would
make for her Happiness and was will.
Ing to tell me So
His eyes contracted as he caught the
righteousness in the laugh that fol-
lowed them across the yard.
There was no talk between the two
for some minutes. Eleanor broke the
silence as they came within sight of
her home.
at WAS good Of you ia try and spare
me. Madeline overheard our talk last
evening. 81" suspected me, 1 think,
but was not SIRE"
Il guessed as much. No. Don't 90
In just yet. must confess to Il tar
radi,itlc. II was ;he only way. There
IRE no visitors, but l wanted a talk
with you ns ! leave on the $3.50 for
Chicago" He hcsitattd an instant,
then went GA:
"That WAS brave thing you cid
last night. Drawer than most. 1t made
me think and II brought hnmr TO me
the sweetness of you; made me won.
der VIVA, there is in me that could
make Il girl like you care. am glad,
glad il is so and when return from
this trip will you let Iue come to you,
show you, tell you now much it means
to me?"
The girl had been standing with her
face turned from him. AS he spoke
she moved and he saw her eyes, glOri.
fed by a light there was no mistak
ing. He made a step toward her. but
paused.
IF It means anything TO you, come"
she said slowly II was afraid"
"Afraid?"
"You might think me unwOmanly."
"NOt that. 1 thank God YOU had the