Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

MAKING A PROMISE. 93 ‘‘It may be so. And yet, if we cannot believe in women and trust them, in whom can we trust or believe?’’ “Tn men, as a rule.’’ “Of course; I might have known your answer in ad- vance. But, Dick, an experience like this is enough to make one despise the whole sex.’’ ‘Softly, my boy; one swallow doesn’t make a summer But tell me, did Miss Clayton encourage your attentions?”’ Arthur made a scornful movement. ‘“‘T don’t pretend to understand what women consider ‘encouragement.’ From her standpoint, I dare say not; from mine—why, Dick,’’ he continued, lowering his voice, his eyes growing tender, ‘‘I would have sworn she loved me. Isaw it in a hundred different ways, and yet——”’ ‘*Perhaps she does love you in spite of what occurred to- night,”’ Arthur regarded his friend with disgust. ‘*What reasoning!’’ he retorted, savagely. ‘‘No, she sim- ply wanted a little amusement, and she got it—-at my ex- pense. ”’ ‘Possible, though not probable, I should say. She does not look like that kind of a woman, still,’’ thought- fully, ‘‘there may be somebody else, and you know she isn’t bound to acknowledge that fact to you under any cir- cumstances. ’’ Arthur’s face, pale and haggard, grew whiter. “That’s so,’ he said. ‘‘I thought of that,’’ with a sigh. ‘¢AJ1 a woman can do when a man proposes to her, is to say no, if she doesn’t want him, and surely we are big and strong enough to take care of ourselves after that, but at the same time it makes us writhe if we’re serious about it all. Oh, Dick,’’ he cried, in a broken voice, ‘‘you’ve no idea ECORNIElOOOKS.EO)