The daily gazette., 1878-11-20
HERBERT's DILEMMA.
BY l.. l.. d.

iOve BEST"
Herbert Greyson was in difficulty.
The time would come when his choice
must be made between two sisters for
partners for life, one OF whom love recon-
mended with all the fervency of affection.
mindful only of the present; while cold
reason, looking forward to the future. and
not troubled by the present, was as strong
ly pressing the claims of the other Her
Der. was considered, in common parlapce.
"great catch" Wealthy, hich-toned' 1
and rising lawyer, he was courted and
iiattered and run after by enterprising
girls and their mammas. He had passed
his twenty-eighth year in the vain hope
OF nnding some paragon who could Ell
chain his senses and prove to be his ideal.
There were a multitude of butterfly
women futtering around his path who
would willingly become "Mrs. Greyson,n y
but he cared not for them.
There was one, Millie Mortland, with
sweet, pale, proud face. with childish
dimples in the rose-tinted cheeks blue,
tender, lustrous eyes, where Herbert Grey
son found his heaven; mouth always
wreathed in smiles, formed of rosebud
lips and pearly teeth, reaching the ex-
treme possibilities of combined sensuous
ripeness and spiritual delicacy, just that
rosy arched gateway at which a man
stands waiting, to hear delicious contralto
music. Her character matched her face,
loving and gentle, but timd to a fault.
She was woman who might be loved
and reverenced deathlessly.
Then there was her sister, who was
just the reverse of sweet Millie Mortland.
Minnie had cream complexion, with
scornful black eyes and mass of golden
hair that rippled in tiny waves around
her queenly head the Mortland beauty
| In every classic lineament, and the Mort
land pride more celebrated still, throw
ing out its warning from the white brow,
thin curved nostriIs, and the arching lips.
She was brave upright and self-reliant,
and 1t was for these very traits that Her.
bert admired her above the multitude
| of fair women who fiuttered about his
path.
| The two sisters were both engaging In
their dispositions both pleasing in their
manners. But though Herbert Greyson
admired the brilliant and captivating
Minnie, he really could not make up his
mind which he loved best-Millie OF
Minnie. There was one thing certain
If he made Minnie his wife, he would
have some one by his side who would al.
ways be hopeful and helpful, brave and
encouraging, in dark hours too, if they
ever came. But then, Millie, little low
ing Mille, there was welcome sunshine
in her presence she would make such 0
dear little wife, one to be loved and com
forted all her life. 1t would be such Q
nice thing to have somebody to cherish
somebody to look up TO you with mute
sweet appeal for protection. His hear
would give tremendous throb as he
looked into Miles eyes of heavenly
blue, and had an insane desire to say
tender words.
Herbert Greyson had whispered court
Iy nothings into the ears of little beautie.
| at the Austrian court, left gallant kisse:
on the fingers of dozen lovely French
women, and looked tender things from
those dangerously handsome eyes of hi,
into the large dusky eyes of as many
more Italians. But for all that, he wa
a Sir Philip Sidney of our own day, ant
| carried In his own knightly heart as pur,
l TtNtTt1ltt IOI do CNCI hit
that lord of Queen Bess. But the mys
terious something that we call love
which with some natures is the growtf
of years, with others of moments, sprane
in'o life for Herbert as the lovely face Of
Millie Mortland looked up at him
When he had thought thus far, he woult
catch glimpse of Minnie's bright face
or the sound of her sweet voice, and tht
decision would vanish, and new one
take its place.
In this state of uncertainty, news came
of the entire failure, of speculation Ii
which he had been deeply interested
For short time he was utterly bewilder
ed. But after few days he had settlet
all his liabilities, and with snug littl'
fortune still in his possession, he deter
mined to find home in Australia, ant
there begin work in earnest.
With the loss of his fortune he als'
lost all hopes of marrying, at least to-
the present. Probably he would Away
remain an old bachelor, for both Milli'
and Minnie would be married befOr'
he could make up his losses. He final,
concluded to go and bid them good-by
and tell them of his loss. Perhaps sh'
would have the pleasure of seeing tende
pity shining in little Miles blue eyes
and then Minnie would be sure to Civ
him brave aud encouraging words t.
cheer him ON bis way.
But the news OF ones misfortune al
ways travels fast, and the sisters wer
discussing it when Herbert rang tn
bell. So deep were they in their con
versation that they did not hear TIN
sound, so Herbert stood unnoticed Oh
the threshold and listened.
"And you will refuse him, Minnie ?
came to his ears in Minnie's swee
lvoice.
al shall not refuse him until he give
me the opportunity" and Minnie
laughing. -
"Such true, noble gentleman s
kindhearted, SO generous, so far abov
} every man we have known o, siste
Minnie, l am ashamed to think yo
!, would give up such man Just becaus
o he has become poor"
IL And Miliie began to sob, hiding he
:. tear-wet face in her hands.
!, "Put down your hands, Millie Mort
Hand, and listen to me-" said Mimi