Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

30 ‘About six years ago I met ata dance a young man who accompanied me home. He wanted to call, but I cared nothing about him then, so re- fused to allow him to call. A year later we both moved into the same neighborhood and our ac- quaintance was resumed; and I learned to love him dearly, better than my life! For reasons I cannot state here I can never be his wife. We now meet as strangers, but I love him just the same. I do not wish to marry any one, but I would like to see the day when I could be happy. When I couid look on this man with indifference and awake in the morning feeling that there is still something in life to live for. I have tried to forget him, but his image is in my heart, and to forget is impossible. It always did bring me more grief than happiness even when I thought he loved me. Some poet says: ‘f “Sweet is true love tho’ viven in vain; Sweeter still is death, which puts an end to pain.” But I cannot imagine anything sadder than to love and not be loved. I do not want to die. I want to live and outgrow this great love of mine. Iam only twenty-one, and it seems as though my life should not be spent this way. I will thank you for any advice you willgiveme. Lunu D.” You have our sincere sympathy. It is, indeed, hard to love and feel that you love in vain, but you are young, dear girl, and you certainly will outgrow it. A little more patient determination and you will win the victory. We advise you to occupy your mind with other things as com- pletely as possible. Interest yourself in those about you, and, by all means, do not shun society. Iinlarge your circle of friends and make yourself useful to those who need you. It would be fool- ish to let an unrequited affection spoil your life, and we are sure that you are a girl of too much good sense and spirit to go on moping forever because you have had the misfortune to love un. wisely. “Tt have taken great interest in reading the Correspondence Department of ‘My Queen’, and lam very interested in Marion. I think sheisa noble, brave girl. I am fifteen years old and go to dances, parties and other nice amusements whenever I have away. One of our old neigh- horing boys who is twenty-four years old, brought me home several times. He is nice, po- lite and acts like a gentleman when he isin my company. Do you think it is wrong to let him bring me home? BEssiIn. We do not approve of fifteen-year-old girls going to dances and parties, unless an older brother or sister is with them to see them safely home. A man of twenty-four is not as safea companion for a girl of fifteen as a boy nearer her age, as he is just the age to be attractive to her and to cast over her senses the spell of in- fatuation. The young man you speak of may be an exception, but it is for your parents to decide whom you should associate with. “Though a boy, lam a constant render of your delightful weekly and I enjoy your letter depart- ment. I am in love with a girl whom I do not know, and Tam notin a position to get an intro- duction to her. How can I bring myself to her notice and win heraffection? I am not girl crazy, MY QUEEN. and I would not neglect my school work for society, but I want to go with her. I am tired of the other girls who bore me, so I ask your ad- vice. Some one told me she heard a bad report of me, and I heard it under such peculiar circum- stances that I can’t tell her it isn’t so, Please help me out of my dilemma and oblige. Lx,” How can you possibly love a girl whom you do not know? You may be attracted toward her or infatuated by her, but something besides the glimpse of a face is needed to develop love. Why do you not ask some mutual friend to intro- duce you, then you can tell her how you feel and also explain about the report. ‘You seem so willing to help others that I know you will not refuse to help me. I am en- gaged to a good, honest, kind-hearted, noble young man who I know truly loves me and can furnish me a comfortable home, but I am afraid I do not love him, although I am very contented when with him. He is three years younger than I but seems as old. At twenty-three it seems I ought to know whether I am in love or not. I .fear I might find out too late that I don’t love him. I have told him how I feel about the mat- ter, but he will not give me up, as he says some- thing tells him that my love will yet be his. I hate to give him up,and yet I don’t think it honorable to encourage him unless I mean to marry him. We are glad that you wrote to us before marry- ing this young man. It is never wise to marry, expecting to develop the ‘‘grand passion” after- ward. We should advise you to go away from the young man, if possible, for a time, or to even cultivate the company of others, so that you can compare your sentiments in regard to them. “‘T have read every number of ‘My Queen’ and can say that I never read anything better, if I amaboy. I think Miss Shirley is the best story writer in the United States and also a good ad- viser, therefore I will ask her to help me in my trouble. [am twenty years old and am parm} in love with the best girl in the world. She is eigh- teen years old and says she will never love any one but me. I have proposed and been accepted, but her parents object to her marrying so young, Do you think she is too young to marry? If so, how long should we wait? Iam a clerk in a gro- cery store getting thirty-three dollars a month, and have money enough in the bank to buy a modest little house and fit if up. I am longing for the time to come when I can call her my own and care for her. Please advise me if you think it proper to marry within a year from now? mS F,* You certainly seem to be a prudent, thrifty young man, but we really think thata year or two more would find you in a better position to marry. After you have built your nest there should still be a little laid by to provide against the illness and bad luck that are almost inevitn- ble. Asa rule, we do not approve of girls matry- ing under twenty-five, but we think thatif your affection stands the test of a year or two longer, it will be safe for both of you to marry, Than’ s for your kind words of praise for Miss Shirl \ and ‘My Queen.” Eomicbooks..com Iona 8S.”