Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-07-24
A BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
BY B. NJ. NELL.

BY b. NJ. NELL.
A gentleman of thirty five and q
lady perhaps five years younger sat
side by side. If there be truth ia
the professed science of a physiog-
nomist, he would have told you
that the faces of these two showed
a similarity of thought and expert.
ence. They had known each other
since childhood: had watched each
others course in life till now; could
look back to the time when she
was romping. joyous country
girl, he a hearty, unsophisticated
country boy. Now they sat facing
each other, thorough man AMI wo.
man of the world. The face of each
showed a life of disappointment,
and that kind of suffering which is
the result of such life; showed too
that artificial suppression of ones
self and that deafness of heart
caused by contact with the world.
which is irresponsive TO all senti.
ment. Yet in those faces there was
something which told that the hard
worldly surface had a possibility of
something better.
They were talking of subject
that would seem furthest from the
thoughts of such pair-marriage
and their own marriage at that |
1t was the strangest match ever
contemplated by man and woman.
AS has been said they had been
friends from childhood. With little
trust in the rest of humanity they
had much 10 each other. Yet we re-
peat it,it was the strangest match ev-
er contemplated by man and woman.
| She, Eleanor Tracy, Was widow
who by the death of her husband.
had been left, if not rich, at least In
comfortable circumstances.
He, Herbert Knox, a widower.
bad by the death of his wife
received the same good fortune.
They could remember no other
good fortune their now happily de.
ceased partners had brought them.
What manner of man and woman
they wer,; why they contemplated
marriage, what dry dust of the
years was thick upon their hearts.
may be gathered from what they
said.
They had been talking for some
time.
Il think Eleanor he went on.
'our marriage would be stroke of
policy which is the opportunity of
our lives. You know what the i'm
mortal bard said about tide in the
affairs of men, and women too. |
suppose, taken at the flood leading
on to fortune? People like you and
me who know the world, know
that riches purchases its best favors.
To quote again, sin union there is
strength, and this proverb applies
as truthfully to finances as to gov.
eminent. My money and your
money together would be the
means of far greater Increase than
both separately. Of course, our
marriage would be simple bust
ness transaction but in that way
only differing from many of which
| we know iu that we are honest
about il. There will be no senti.
ment IN the matter, and | make no
pretense Of any. In fact, Eleanor,
our days of sentiment are long since
past. We certainly have higher
respect for each other than for any,
body else and that is enough
This was love-making with
yer geance; strange words to utter
in woman's ear; yet she answer.
ed in as busip ess-like a strain.
Herbert. since our last conversa.
ton have given this matter some
thought. | confess, had it nothing
but its eccentricity TO recommend
it, the plan would have its charm
for me but beyond this my judge
ment tells me you a'e right. As
you say, there il, or will be, no sen.
timent in the matter; so here's my
hand to have and to hold until
death do us part
Each one was conscious of the in
congruity of the situation. By be.
ing made more fariccal it might be
less repulsive. He said playfully
chow the tragedy Of both their lives
was written in bis playfuiness), Il
believe it is usual on such occasions
to salute the loved one
With that he bent and kissed her,
both smiling at the mockery. What
a farce What a tragedy | Laugh
ing at the dead sea-fruit each offer
ed the others lips.
Their happiness was not to be
long delayed in month it was to
be crowned by marriage. The
time passed quickly enough, for they
felt none of the impotence OF lovers.
The only exhibition of sentiment
into which they were betrayed was
the desire both had to be married in
the little country church of their
childhood. Perhaps even this was
more desire 10 do violence to sem
timent, than TO indulge in il.
The wedding'day was beautiful.
As they walked out of church over
a path of flowers strewed by rus
tics, nature smiled as pleasant a
welcome as it ever had to happier
bride and groom. All the bright
ness of May morning. the air full
of the fragrance of spring, the song
of birds and the glory of the sun
GROWING all They hated the day
for being beautiful
This marriage had made sensa-
ton among the plain country folk
Ii was an event of Importance, a
compliment to the village, and the
villagers were cut in great force.
Bashful swans and anxious maids
gaped at the bride and groom, envi-
Gus OF their happiness. How we'll
the worldly crust hid the feelings OF
THE man and woman
Herber. gazed upon his beautiful
wife. she upon her handsome hus.
band, and each heart was bitter
against the fate that made them
! loveless
Yet that bitterness wss good
was the futtering of wings which
longed for fight.
When they were alone he made
some common. place remark about
the beauty of the morning.