The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-10-05
HER COURAGE
BY SUSAN E. CLAGETT.


Madeline Brook threw back her head
with laugh as she said:
1T was success, even to the diff
cult point of proposal. l heard one.
Who was the girl? l did not recognize
the voice. But | knew the m II. |
laughed with him about it when |
claimed my dance later on"
The face of the girl on the piazza
step famed red and there was 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
her 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 woman
cares keeps her more or less before
his mental vision. She is, in 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
idea?"
81 am no suffragist, Madeline, but |
cannot see why, If a woman cares, she
must hide her feelings until 1t pleases
man to give her the opportunity to
express them. | believe there would
be more happy marriages if woman
had the same right of selection that
custom gives man."
And would yOu-W
"Would you, what?" pleasant voice
inquired.
The girl went white as her friend
arose and gave her hand to the man
who had come unseen across the grass.
aSuch an amusing thing" she laughed.
"EleanOr is advocating equal rights"
"Why not? l have always thought
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 is
oid-fashioned. Up to now there has
never been anything strongminded
about her"
THE trend of thought today is
surely against old-fashioned ideas" the
man replied genially, but neverthe-
less | think Miss Isham possesses the
courage to go against convention If
she feels it right so to do. 1t requires
strength of character to do the I'M
usual"
High prase-but as you do not
know just what this is l 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.
"While she tells you l will go 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 go.
| promised to find you" he explained,
answering her questioning look. Your
| yeranda is filled with out-of-town
guests. l 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 a world of meaning
| in the glance she gave him. Il do not
agree with her. Do your
His cool gray eyes held a hint of
hardness as he looked at her, but his
voice was pleasant. 81 only know
that | would feel honored If 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 to try and spare
me. Madeline overheard our talk last
evening. She suspected me, | think,
but was not sure"
II guessed as much. No. Don't go
in just yet. must confess to tar
radlddle. 1t was the only way. There
are no visitors, but / wanted talk
with you as ! leave on the $3.50 for
| Chicago" He hesitated an instant,
| then went on:
',"That was a brave thing you did
last night Braver than most. Ii made
me think, and it brought home to me
the sweetness OF you; made me won
der what there is In me that could
make n girl like you care. | am glad
| glad IT is so and when l return from
this trip will you let me come to you
show you, tell you how much 1t means
to mel"
The girl had been standing with her
face turned from him. AS he spoke
she moved and he saw her eyes, glori
fed by light there was no mlstak
Ing. He made a step toward her, but
paused.
"If 1t means anything to you, come,
she said slowly. II was afraid"