The Press., 1888-11-22
A BLIND ORDER.

(who is always taught to believe himself very shrevvd and discerning person) to inn Rgine, and I have no doubt he will have solved the problem to his own satisfaction before my story is half completed.
 had been quite successful in business, and was familiar with the ways of men; had learned to match the tricks and evasions of the business world with tricks and evasions of my own; but of women 1 knew nothing, never having had leisure to cultivate their society. I use the word nothing in its literal sense; knew absolutely nothing.
 My entrance into society was something after the manner of Stanley's journey across the Dark Continent. I began to explore a strange and fascinating world, in which there were pitfalls against which my busi- ness facts and figures were of no avail. I found that women differed very widely from men. Perhaps they were not more tricky than men of business; but their tricks were less transparent to me. Indeed, many of them were quite opaque. was often in the dark as to the purpose of certain ladies that Imet; but, while mystified and puzzled at times, was also delighted. There was no denying the charm of womans society. felt that had wasted a great many years. I do not intend to conceal my object in entering the society of ladies-I wanted wife. To be frank, had 8 vague idea of the kind wanted. In business, when man or ders a bill of goods without first inquiring the price and particulars, he gives what is called blind order. When pigeon holed my papers and closed my office desk with bang, pocketed the key and sallied out to se- cure what I felt I needed-a good wife-I gave blind order. In effect l did most unbusiness-like thing. blush now to think of it; but when a man pauses in his eager of faps1 fo val mai is generally apt to give 8 blind order. What can he know of the ways of women2 Abso- lutely nothing. He learns rapidly, it is true, but it requires long experience to meet them on their own ground and beat them with their own weapons
 shall be pleased if any profit Or interest attaches to the result of my blind order, and I wish to assure thefreader that it was the only one ever gave.
 Among the young ladies that met was Miss Blanche Ridgeway. How shall 1 de- scribe her? Business nomenclature cannot help me, and abominate romantic word l pictures Miss Blanche was very sweet girl. When seated near her was conscious of feeling of-shall I call it pleasure? The | net total of prosperous years business has often caused me happiness, but my feeling in the presence of Miss Blanche not the same Her voice was quite passable, and when listening to her it seemed as if I might l have some romance in me after all; and l when in church she turned her bright eyes ! on me
 FudgeI fiddlesticks I, plain man of business, writing such gush! Pray overlook l the boyish folly.
 Miss Blanche had sister, Miss Mary, 8 plainer girl, but sensible and business like. My reason inclined me to Miss Mary; my heart (which regret to say had not hardened with my head) said, marry Miss Blanche. faced the situation cooly. want & wife, ! said I, and here are two ladies' One is 9, the other possibly 30; one is pretty and is in- l clined to be silly at times, the other plainer, | but sensible and womanly. Miss Blanche is sweet girl and she is young. There is no denying that a young girl has fascination l that belongs to her years. will ask Miss l Blanche.
 My resolution made, I called on her. l II am here on important business, Miss Blanche, said I, when we were seated.
 "Indeed!" she replied, her eyebrows arch ing in surprise.
 "Yes," I went on, "I have thought the matter over My mind is made up I have question to ask you"
 "What can it be, MT Quoterg'
 "Will you marry mel" e .--. t 7 s.
 It was plain, business like question, call ing for plain, business like answer. put it honestly and in good faith. To my amaze ment, Miss Blanche almost tainted.
 ''What is wrong?" cried
 "Why, Mir. Quoter!" she replied, indeh- nitely, turning red and pale by turns, and looking positively pretty.
 ''Pray be calmer, Miss Blanche. This is & matter calling for coolness and judgment"
 "But it was so unexpected, MT. Quoter. l You startled me. "-a 4 a-~s--@~% %~~~~ "-~~ ~4.- II regret it very much, Miss Blanche. What is your answerg'
 II cannot answer now, Mfr Quoter. I never dreamed of such thing. must talk to mamma" '7%*
 ''Certainly. Miss Blanche, 8 very proper decision. I am sorry to have disturbed you, P and I rose to go.
 "A moment, please, MT. Quoter. cannot talk now. It was so sudden. will speak to mammal
 ''When shall call. Miss Blanche2'
 ''If come to church next Sabbath morn ing, MT. Quoter, Trinity, you know, the an- swer will be'- she paused in the utmost confusion, blushing quite charmingly.
 : ''And in case you do not come to church, Miss Blanche2' &. ..-..l -. -
 sThen the answer will be mo-" she an- swered, very faintly, looking at a figure in the carpet. Y
 ''An odd idea, Miss Blanche But how am l to knowP'@ -.ss. 4 .-. zs. ,&A K ts e#--
 'sWhy, surely you will be there'' she did not finish the sentence. I really believe I she meant to call me stupid. She seemed to | be nettled ~ -' T Certainly" said I; "I had not thought of going to church-that is, I had other ar rangements, but Twill break aprior engage ment and be there. wish you a good even ing, Miss Blanche"
 In going out met Miss Mary in the hall. She shook hands with me cordially. A fine girl, I said, mentally, as left her; Miss Blanche has the advantage of her only in redder cheeks and brighter eyes.
 The following Sabbath morning confess I felt somewhat Hurried The night before I had not slept well. Business troubles had sometimes kept me awake, and the excite ment of successful deals had at times broken in upon my rest; but this restlessness was not from the same cause. A vague and rather pleasant ftcii.g in the region of the heart, a strange expectancy, kept me awake for hours. 1t took mo longer than usual to get ready for church. The fit of my clothes did not please me, my necktie would not remain straight, and the polish on my shoes seemed very dull At times my heart gave most unaccountable jump. When at last found myself in the street, it seemed as if great many people were looking at me, and began to fear that there was something unusual in my appearance. The sun was not warm, but my. cheeks burned. confess with shame that my heart huttered when reached the