The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-08-03


she.
"ies, ma'am."
"Whcrc, to another party
eyes. ma'am."
"That makes ,ree this week,
doesn't it Tom?"
eyes, mn'am. Wo'ro- hurrying to
get through. Coin totake Miss Beau.
fort tonight, and then Pm done with
the Jolly clubs parties.
Mother, somehow or other, did not
seem to think very much of what
suid.
"Tom, I wish you would get mar.
ried," she said with troubled face.
l believe you would stay at home
some."
"Well, I an awful tired, mother, and
completely worn out"
"rhen why don't you quit it?"
"Best reason in the world, mother
am neither engaged nor in love, but
I'm willing to be-"
1t was getting late, SO Istartcd after
this, but the look OH mothers face set
mo to thinking.
My mother is the best woman in the
world, even if l do say it myself, and
felt worried about her.
She was right. l was out nearly
every evening. This evening ut o re
ccption, next time u ball, then q
theatre party, and SO on. OF course
l could afford it, for my salary as
cashier at Hart's was u liberal one.
wasn't saving n cent, and my owr
home folks never saw me except at
tho table. Even poor, old, patient
mother WIS complaining.
But | was havinglots Of fun. There
was that Beaufort girl. She WAS Il
fine one. Could dance any kind, talk
about anything you wanted, and
make you hnvct the finest time in tn,
world. Then there w.,s Nenc Wright
She would take in the base ball with
Il fellow. 10 rowing, skating, anytllin.
for fun.
Then Vene had money. That was
an important item.
Why shouldn't l tackle Miss Ven,
on the subject OF mntrimQny.
''rhomns, old son." sud l to my
sell, "NepG is the one"
But Vcnc, somehow or other, did
not exactly suit the case, md my
mind reverted to Miss Beaufort
Miss Beaufort was smart, pretty, styl
ish suited better, but l knew nothing
about her financial standing. This
was IN important matter to me in
thosc.lays.
Meanwhile the coupe had ncnret1
Miss Bcnufort's. l had never been
there before, and to my surprise found
it to be u very unprctcntious house
| confess l was disappointed. lex.
pectcl to drive up to ;ln elegant man
sion, be ushcred into IL fine reception
room with servants in livery, md
there await tho coming OF Miss Beau
fort.
Then / expected to make u bold
dash for Miss Bcaufort's hcart-pro
pose, and possibly DO accepted or dc
clincd by the time thcparty was over
But not SO.
A little lady with gray hair openel
the door, and she was introduced by
Miss beaufort us mamma. Miss Beau.
fort w4s.. ready and waiting, SO We
walke'l<ont to the coupe.
"Mr. Silver" said she, "don't yo,,
think there is great amount ofsnob
berry in society, and lots OF downright
ioolishncss?"
"Well, yes" said I.
"For instance" said she "hcrc is an
elegant coupe that you have brought
blocks away"
] had actually squan,lcred five dol.
lars to have this coupe for thecvcnine
and she did not even SO much us no.
ticcit. ] know Vcne would have enjoy.
ed a ride in it.
"Mr.Sllver," said shcto mo again,
"this is the last party l am going to
this winter"
"Well, why?" said /. "Arcn't you
going to take in the German club ball
and the others?"
"No," said she. "NIamma hasn't
the money; she can't afford it,"
"Mr. Silver" she continued, ''can
you afford to spend so much money
on society?"
Hooked at her. There was honesty
fairly shining out OF her pretty black
eyes, even if she wasn't very polite.
So l answered her honestly.
"No, Miss beaufort, l cannot!
haven't saved Il cent this winter, and
get bigsalary, too"
"Well," said she, III have met you
out SO frequently, Ifeel quite well &c.
quaintcd with you, and ! expect ]
have been II little impolitc."
no." said !. II nm glad that yo,,
take That much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject. Ihad
a splendid time at the party, and en-
joycd Miss Beaufort's company very
much. | found her lcvcl-headed and
bright if she was too frank.
Next day told mother about it.
She said that she admired Miss Beau
fort for her common sense, if she
hadn't seen her. Then she referred to
my getting married again.
"Suppose," said she, "you pretend
for week or SO, that you arc mar
ricd, and see how it goes"
can imitation wife," said ].
"Why not." said she. 4 will write,
the name Of u young lady on n card.
| seal it in an envelope. and you can
lock it in your desk. Then let us sup
pose that you are married to her say
for two weeks. During that time 1
want you to act just if the lady
were here in person, and your
lawfully welded wife"
"WhOse name are you going to
write on the card" said /.
"Never mind" said she. II will
write my preference, and neither OF
us will breathe q word about this to u
living soul" -
We agreed on this. Mother wrote
the name on tho card and scaled it
in the envelope. Iknew it was Vene
Wrisht's name, SO decided to imagine
that Vcne was there in person, and
so We started out the week.
Monday night came. That was the
night OF the bachelors german, but
staid ut home and talked to mother.
Then played euchre with her for q
| while, and we managed to havea very
enjoyable evening.
Next morning mother met mo at tbs
table with smiles, sfnd about the best
breakfast 1had satfnin . long wMs.
II