The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-17
SELECT STORY.
SUSIE'S DIPLOMACY.

rich, nrmly Delieve my lie woGld
have been much happier" said Richard
Maur with a sigh.
Richard was sitting with friend on
a bench overlooking the sea. lie
would have been a remarkably hand
some fellow, were it not for the discon.
tented expression, which always cloud
ed his face.
On the other hand, his companion,
Arthur Kenmore, was plain looking
man with nothing to redeem his want
of confines but bright pair of eyes,
and wining smile.
AT first sight, women were struck by
Richards appearances but after time
they gradually began to feel prefer
ence for Arthur, because he talked
amusingly, and made himself so agree
able.
TO tell the truth, Richard was too
proud and reserved-a fault for which
his parents had been to blame, for he
had been a spoiled child.
'Do you really believe what you say,
or do you only make that assertion to
startle one?" asked Kenmore in answer
to his friends remark.
81 really believe that if | had been
born to poverty should be farhappier
than | am now,' returned Richard
gravely.
'Then I'll show you way out Of
your trouble" said Kenmore with his
cheerful laugh. "IIand over all your
wealth to me, retaining only pound a
week for yourself l fancy should
get on comfortably with the gold yor
despise, not to speak of being able tc
marry Susie
"Your offer to relieve me of my
wealth is extremely kind and consider
ate," said Richard, unable to repress {
smile. 81 appreciate the sacrifice yor
are willing to make for me but OF
consideration l find l cannot do with
out the money. If had been accus
toned to poverty it would have been 6
different matter, but having been rear
ed in luxury, l cannot resign my gold
even if it lead me to destruction. The
luxury l have spoken of is necessary t.
my existence.
81 thought you would draw in youl
horns, old boy, when l made the pro
posal. Like most Englishmen, yor
dearly love to grumble."
II have something TO grumble about
| fancy said Richard.
81 don't see it you ought to be the
happiest fellow in the three king
doms.
"Ought II"
'Decdedly."
"Just let me know why'"
"You wish me to answer you frank
ly, and won't take offehse if | give yo,
my real opinion7"
'"Speak on. promise l won't tak'
offense at anything you say. l SHOULD
like to see myself as others see me"
"Well, in the first place, you are to;
proud, and think yourself superior tt
everybody. You fancy yourself i'll
treated because the world doesn't value
you as you value yourself. To tell tn,
truth, your conceit stands in your way
Richard"
"Conceited and proud T. exclaimed
Richard Maur, coloring with anger
"You have utterly misunderstood m.
character. am shy and difi1en
-"
"Shy and diffident!" cried Kenmore
interrupting him. "You are nothing
of the kind. Your sole reason for re
naming silent is that you would rathe
refrain from making an agreeable re
mark than be led to deliver foolisl
one. Now l rattle away, saying tn,
first thing that comes into my head
and yet am generally regarded as {
very pleasant companion
THAT is what puzzles me" returned
Richard. "You say nothing very wis
or witty, and yet you always manage
to interest everybody"
because l try to please others anc
forget the existence of Arthur Ren
more" said his friend. "But, joking
apart, old fellow, what is amiss will
You this morning?"
Richard sighed more heavily thai
before, digging holes with his cane ii
the ground.
While staying at the seaside he haC
fallen hopelessly in love, but his natur
al suspicion had prevented him from
declaring his attachment.
"Arthur," he said, show can wealth.
man ever believe in the disinteresteC
attentions of woman
"Ob," said his friend, with whistle
"sets the wind that way? / had m.
suspicious, old boy, But you don
mean to say that you entertain such un
generous ideas! | Icould not think 81
badly of Susie
"Because you know she Is only wait
ing for you to make a home for her
Your case is utterly different. A mar
without money has the satisfaction o
knowing that he is loved for himsel
alone
"Bah!' cried his friend contemptu
ously. "You either do not love thu
girl or you are a bigger fool than
take you for. Strange how people whc
have no troubles will go out of the way
to make them. Well, am off tc ge
some luncheon are you coming!"
No, Richard would stay where he
was. lie felt rather gladto be let alone
with his thoughts.
Young, rich and handsome, he wa:
as utterly miserable as any mortal witt
such advantages could be. His money
seemed to stand between him and hap
piness, and yet he would not have