The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-09-21
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CHOICE OF A HUSBAND

| 'HPPooV ShV WIZ Haii souic time
or other, aud perhaps, after all, she
will be as well off to marry now as to
wait half dozen years"
Old Mr.. Dorian turned the letters
over in his hand, and looked at the
pretty blonde in the easy chair opposite.
1t would be hard 10 give her up, but
with either Of these two men he felt
that she would be happy.
The first was from a faithful counter.
part of himself in his younger days,
with few improvements, such as u
little better prospect, u few more dollars
than he possessed ut twenty Eve; but
the principle, the straightforward hou.
esiy aud strength Of purpose was there.
|. The other WIS from the very man he
had in his mind for months. Every
body knew the solidity aud worth OF
the house Of the Hillsdale Brothers,
All knew Clarence, the younger, to be a
thorough man of business and Il gentle
man. lie drove his handsome bays,
gave supper now aud then, when
champagne aud madeira flowed like
water; but men always found him at
his post, with his face fla he'd with
health. and not trace of dissipation
wriukling a single feature.
1t was hard to choose between them.
Perhaps Ruth would choose. So he
spoke. ..~
"Ruthie, come here. Read these. 3"
He gave her the letters, and she read
them over carefully. A blush stole up,
maniliug brow aud cheek, when she
concluded West Hartley's letter. and at
the end of Hillsdale's delighted excla.
nation.
You cannot marry both. Which
shall it be I"
81 don't know, father really loved
West until Clarence came, but now
we'll, Clarence is rich aud stylish, aud
West-good aud true. You shall de.
eide"
And you will abide by my decision? ?"
with all my heart"
Ruth went back to her easy chuir,
and he, with quite as much or more
anxiety than he had felt at his own
matrimonial, sat bacs and reflected.
Honesty and truth were Jewels seldom
found, but, money in. the other scale,
he was afraid they would sink into
nothingness.
Well, | will wait. Some way
shall know into whose hands to place
the happiness Of my little Ruth"
These letters arrived on the second
Of December. On the fourth each gen
tleman received brief note from Mr..
Dorian, with few pleasant but unsat.
isiac,ory lines. He would consider aud
give answer il they would wait with
patience.
On the twenty fourth there was u
fair to remodel the church. Fair Young
girls with confectionery at $40 per
bite, aud dainty knick knacks, priced
ut five times their value, besiegcd every
visitor, and he was hard hearted crea.
turc who could resist the pleading CLAN
ccs from soft eyes aud sweet entreatics
OF do buy this; you know you heed it. ="
Mr.. Dorian was there, aud his little
Ruth the proprictress Of table well
filled with worsted nonsense, silkep
cushions, smoking cap and slippers, aud
many close listed fellow laid bill
upon her table aud carried away a
trinket, as though he had got double
his moneys worth.
Clarence Hillsdale was there, aud SO.
was West Hartley, aud Mr.. Dorian
whispered:
"Rathie, you'll never have better
opportunity to study these lovors Of
yours"
And Ruth studied
Soon they sauntered toward her
table. They were not jealous, for each
others motives were unknown, and
met as well bred men do, aud after
salutations to Ruth fell into an easy
conversations.
"Thesc are pretty articles said
Clarence, taking up pair of velvet
slippers. "Did you make them, Miss
Dorian I"
"Yes. | have but these two pair
left,'- Won't you take pair? They
must be exactly your size.''
"Yes, believe they are. What do
you expect in return :"
MY price is ten dollars but in
case like this We trust TO the generosity
of the purchaser
She said this with charming smile,
and he placed roll of bills in her hand.
"You will take the remaining pair,
will you not, Mr.. Hartly p
"Yes;' aud West Hartly rendered
his Offering
Some one else came up, and they
turned away, leaving Ruth for a
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