Marion Marlowe's Skill, or, A Week as a Private Detective — page 33: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

your betrothed stands in the same relative posi- tion now. It would bein better taste, we think, if you went to and from the ball with him and let the other man go alone. Make the evening as pleasant as you choose for other men when you are there, but do not allow any of them to feel that he is displacing the man to whom you are pledged. “T began to read ‘My Queen’ at No. 4, and am go interested in Marion that I want to get the back numbers. None of the newsdealers that f have asked seem to have them. Please let me know whether they are out of print or where they can be obtained. JOSEPHINE G.”? Newsdeaters are often short-sighted in their business policy and fail to keep on hand any but the current issues of a publication, although they ean procure all back numbers from their whole- salers. We will be glad to send you any back numbers that you desire. Just enclose the price in postage stamps and address your letter to Street & Smith, 238 William street, New York, You will receive the magazines by return mail. “Please let me know whether it is proper for me to make a present to a young man on his birthday. We have been acquainted two years, and have been very good friends. He has sent me some litthe remembrance like flowers or candy on my birthdays and at Christmas, and I want to return his attention in some way. Some of my friends say that it would not be proper. What do you think about it? M. M. J.” _ If the young man will understand that you are simply showing him a friendly courtesy, we see no harm whatever in yourmaking him a present. He will probably be very much pleased to find that you remembered him, and we cannot see where there would be any impropriety in your well send him flowers or eandy, but a pair of gloves or a necktie would be appreciated by any man. Of course, we do not believe in a young woman spending much money ona young man, or delug- ing him with attention that is not returned, but 4 tasteful reminder of your mutual friendship would not be at all amiss. “One of my friends has proved to be unfaith- il, and I am, oh! so unhappy. I have been in Ove with a young man for some time, and I told my dearest friend what I thought of him. She has deliberately tried to attract him, and she hag Sticceeded so well that I am broken-hearted. He seems perfectly happy with her, and seldom OMmes fo see me now. I am utterly miserable. van't you tell me of some way by which I can yin him back? AMELIA B.”’ We are very sorry that you are so unhappy, but i the young man’s nature is fickle, it is much better for you to discover that fact now than tater on, when perhaps it would be too late. ™ here is no possible rule to follow in order to win another’s love. Love goes where it will, not vhere it is coaxed or driven. If your friend suc- a ¢ 4 * _ * MY QUEEN. sending him a stitable gift. You cannot very ~- 31 ceeded in attracting this young man it was either because his nature is fickle or because he did not care for you truly and entirely. In either case, you are fortunate to have discovered the truth. Do not try to win this man back. Cultivate the society of others, and see if you cannot find pleasure and happiness with them. Do not let any one suppose that you are ‘‘broken-hearted,”’ but endeavor in every way to show the. young man and your supposed friend that you can get along very well without their society. —— ‘(My fiance and myself are agreed upon all questions except that of religion, and as we find this a source of continual argument, 1 am doubt- ful whether we ought to marry. He is extremely orthodox, while I—— Well, I am an Atheist. He cannot seem to understand that I have looked into the subject at all deeply, and thinks that as I am to marry him, I ought to abandon my be- liefs and accept his. I want to please him in all things, but I simply cannot believe what he asks. Now, what ought I to do—break the en- gagement-or try to win him over to my way of thinking? BLANCHE W. W.”’ We advise you by all means to settle the matter of religion before marriage. There is no reason that we can see why you are not each entitled to your own belief. Your brain is as capable as your future husband’s, and your opinions entitled to as much consideration as his. You owe it to yourself and to your self-respect that he shall admit this. If you really love one another, neither religion, politics nor any other question will stand in the way very long. If your lover wants to marry religion instead of a woman, let him look elsewhere. If he wants to marry the woman, let him take her with what- soever belief she may have without endeavoring to convert her against her will. ‘(Can a working girl accept the attentions of a man of means without loss of self-respect? I met a gentleman some weeks ago whom [I liked very much, and who has shown me considerable at- tention. The other girls in the boarding house where I live all say mean things about me, and hint that I am simply after the gentleman’s money. In fact, they insinuate that I am not anv better than I might be. Their talk has annoyed me so much that I am almost persuaded that I ought to give up his acquaintance. Won’t you please let me have a word of advice? “EFFIE W.”’ Do not allow the idle talk of otherstoinfluence youin what you knowisright. Their insinuations against your character are probably prompted by jealousy. Because one man has more means than another it is no proof that he is not quite as sin- cere and honorable. If you enjoy his society and he enjoys yours there is no reason why you should drop his acquaintance. We would advise you to trace the gossip to its source, if you can, and to call the inventor of it to account. If voy cannot do this, then ignore it entirely and 550 on in your own way with the serene conviction that you are right. EOMIGIOOKS (CO)