St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-22
A BITTER BIT.

n Dl l. En- Dill.
''Who is that elegant-loOking woman,
FRANKIE" asked Howard Peyton of his
companion, Frank Moore, who had just
bowed to finely dressed and rather
snowy lady whom they passed.
Frank paused moment before re-
plying: there was queer twinkle in
his eye, and his voice had an odd tone
in it.
Il don't know very much about her,
but Pve heard her called the rich wild
ow,' and her name is Mrs. Gordon Hast
ings."
''She bowed very gracefully" said
PeytOn. IS eems pity that she should
waste her smiles on such an ungrateful
subject. Wish knew her."
LET me introduce your, cried Frank,
with sudden animation. "Her charm
ing smiles were due you only, l can
claim no share in them, for / saw that
you were the object of attraction"
3 Just then a group of lovely-lOOking
girls passed them. BY far the hand
soonest and iiveieSt of the party was
Alice Irving, poor Frank MOOre's OBJ
ject Of secret alteration.
He changed color when he heard her
merry laugh, and as soon as she caught
sight of the two gentlemen, she also
became quite grave and looked down
demurely after bowling as she passed.
pretty girl that" observed Peyton,
carelesSly. ''Pity she is not rich"
''Why?" demanded Frank, with some
spirit.
My dear fellow" said the other,
ssI Il l.,y., r-l~ hA
isn't marketable without the cash, that's
ALL"
And yet you pay her the most de-
voted attention whenever you meet, and
have certainly induced her 10 look upon
you as her obSequiouS admirer."
"Ha, ha, hal" laughed Peyton. "HOw
uEsOphiStieated you are, my dear fell
low! Miss Irving is far wiser, l am
sure, and values my attentions as they
deserve"
And do you pretend to say, SIR" eX-
claimed Frank, with decidedly height
ened color, that you have been going
everywhere with Miss Irving, seeing
her daily, and showing her the most
marked regard, merely to kill time?"
Fact, my dear boy-fact, upon my
honor! There, now, don't be absurd,
and try to get angry, for it will only
spoil our agreeable intercourse. You
see, Moore, | am a man of the world. l
wasn't born with a fortune, though |
came into the world with most decided
taste for ENJOYING one. Then what is
left for me to do? Why, to marry, of
course. And now you understand how
utterly absurd it would be in me TO have
serious Intentions towards any one who
hadn't the necessary funds"
Frank Moore drew long breath and
remained silent q few seconds. MIR.
Peyton smoked his cigar in an easy
manner, and, watching the smoke as it
curled up gracefully, remarked:
II should like to get an introduction
to Mrs. Gordon Hastings. Shes quite
in my line"
Would you, realIy?" exclaimed
Frank, suddenly changing his express
sion and manner. 'Pll present you
right away-at Mrs. DashOut's party, to-
night. if you say So"
"Of course | say so. Thank you
thousand times! And-stay moment
have an idea. These rich widows are
very suspicious of being sought for their
wealth only. 1t makes them reserved
and rather hard of approach at times,
and word or two could easily diSarm
the fair Gordon Hastings, supposing
her to be inclined that way. Now, my
dear fellow, would you mind mention
ing to the charming creature that you
have heard from my most intimate
friend (Which is myself that | am worth
a great deal? 1t would be quite serv-
ice: and to eXOnerate you | now assure
you that, in my own estimation, am
very rich-in graces of person, manner,
etc.
That very night Mrs. Gordon Hast
ing. greeting Frank Moore at Mrs.
Dashout's, complimented him OH the
style and appearance of his friend Pey-
ton.
She had already learned his name, it
appeared, and she added with an atfec-
tatiOn of carelessnesS:
3 as he not one of the rich Peytons?"
9 Il know nothing of his family con-
nectiOns," replied Frank. ''but have
heard from his own lips that he is worth
a great deal"
'Ah. just as thoughtu' replied Mrs.
Gordon Hastings, smiling. Then he is
indeed one of the rich Peytons.
"Bethat as it may" said Frank. she
greatly desires an introduction to you,
and awaits your permission with much
anxiety.
: "oh, by all means. with much pleas
urer' cried Mrs. Gordon Hastings, de-
nghtlully'
Perhaps the best thing in the world to
clip sighted girl is a strong feeling of
self-respect. Next to that is tue
hearted and frank, spirited admirer,
with which to replace the alse one.
Alice had both of these, and when the
engagement of Howard Payton and
Mrs. Gordon Hastings was announced,
a very few weeks after their first ac-
quaintancc, she was able to look quite
calmly when the subject was discussed,
as it was everywhere, and in reply to
the invariable remark, ''Why, he used
to he an old flame of yours, Alice" she
was ready 10 laugh and say:
''lf he was, he certainly could not
have been very constant one."
sNeither Howard nor l approve of
very long engagements" Mrs. Gordon
Hastings said to her intimate acquaint-
ances, when she confided to them the
fact of her approaching marriage. "His
property is all in his own right, with no
Troublesome fOrmalitipS To pO through.