The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-07-05
WHY HE DIDN'T.

But, Judge, you never told me why
you did not marry Miss Van Horn. We
all thought that matter was settled, but
suddenly we were surprised by the news
that you had married stranger in the
city, and Helen Van Horn was left dis
consulate. I wonder what has become
of her? She must have married well,
however; she had fine chance to choose,
for there was scarcely a good match in
fhe city that was not at her command at
one time"
eyes, yes" answered the gentleman
addressee-Judge Hume, distin-
guished, handsome, intelligent-looking
man Of about As years Of age; q success
full lawyer, who had some years before
been raised to the judicial bench almost
by acclamation-" no woman could have
married better than Helen Van Horn.
Why [ did not marry her is short, sim
pie story, not without a moral; and
will tell it if you care to hear it. I have
never told it before, even to my wife,
ludicrous. as some Of it's phases are. So
take cigar-you will find it good one
and hear how, possibly, Helen Van
Horn is not Mrs. Hume to-day.
"You knew her father" began the
Judge, "and will remember that he was
reputed to be very rich. However, it
turned out, upon his death, and after
his debts were paid, that there was left
a mere pittance for Helen, obliging her,
the Petted child of fortune, to live with
extreme economy ever SINCE"
"Do you mean to say that she has
never married ?" asked his guest.
married !" repeated Hume "no in
deed and in that may be seen the
moral of my story to which I referred.
But do not let us anticipate let us be-
gin at the beginning.
"One evening, going to fulfill an en-
gagement with Miss Van Horn, as the
servant ushered me unannounced into
the parlor, [ found her engaged in an
animated conversation with a singularly
handsome young man, who, saw at a
glance, might readily become formida-
bile rival, and l felt for the instant a
sharp pang Of that unamiable, discon-
certing passion, jealousy. But as my
entrance had been unobserved, I was
able to recover myself before saying, in
my blandest manner, 'Good-evening.
The gentleman started, and stifly re-
turned my bow. AS for Helen, with
suffused cheeks she said, why, Mr..
Hume, [ did not hear you at all you
are absolutely as gentle as a lamb.
Somewhat angry at her satirical
tone, | observed that she was engaged
in conversation and probably did not
hear me. enter, and added that I had
called to attend her to the gallery to see
the picture she was anxious about.
"'But really, Mr.. Hume she said
somewhat confusedly, looking from the
stranger to me, I had entirely forgotten
all about it, and so promised Mr..
Churchill here to accompany him to see
RichelieU tonight
CT glanced toward the stranger and
he returned the glance with a slight
trown on his face. Miss Van Horn con-
tinued, But oh beg your pardon,
gentlemen, had forgotten you were not
acquainted with each other. Mr.. Hume.
this is my friend, Mr.. Churchill, of
Richmond, and she carelessly fell back
into the chair, from which she had half
risen for the moment.
So l am sorry Miss Van Horn has so
treacherous memory but hope, MI.
Churchlll-with your approval-can be
prevailed upon to defer his engagement,
for l assure you the picture is rare gem,
and well worth seeing persisted in this
because had become slightly reused by
the indolent way of receiving the homage
paid her, and there seemed to be a CLEAN
OF triumph in the face of my rival
"The young man looked at me gravely.
then silently turned to Miss Van Horn
for some expression of her wishes. He
was evidently very much displeased at
my interruption of their tete-a-tete, and
was sufficiently interested in the lady to
be seriously rufaed by my seeming
rivalry; he was not altogether pleased
with the fact that she seemed SO careless
with respect to her engagements, which
did not accord with his standard of
women. He was well-educated, comely
young man OF good fortune, accustomed
to be well received by women, and vet
as he afterwards told me-he could not
help for the moment some apprehension
that the ladys choice for the evening
might go against him, for you know I
was called quite g lady's man in those
days.
GAS for Miss Van Horn, she sat. mean
while, demurelytoying with large tassel
suspended from the arm Of her easy chair
for moment, as if in deliberation. then
exclaimed Really, I am sure it must
be very wrong in me to be SO thought.
less, is it not?' Here captivating smile
Illuminated her beautiful features and
parted her bewitching lips, just discover.
ing the pearly teeth between them and
she added, viii you not settle the queg.
ton, gentlemen, between yourselves p
"The matter must be arranged in some
way, and, as I was the most intimate
friend OF the family, and my rival .
comparative stranger, / was about to
magnanimously withdraw my pretensions
and leave the field, when suddenly
there was loud ring at the front door.
III 1Lo 4