The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-09-20

peculiarities in these young men that
you seem TO make OF so much impor-
tance. As for Mr., Gray, he is man
of whom a1y woman might feel proud,
tor be combines intelligence with cour-
teous manner, and a fine person-while
this IIambleton is, TO me, .insufferably
stupid. And no one, am sure, eau
call his address and manners any
thing like polished. Indeed, | should
pronounce him downright boorish and
awkward. Who would want man
for a husband of whom she would be
asbamedl Not |, certainly
81 will readily grant You, Annette
Rose said, as her friend ceased speak
ing, "that Mr.. Ha bletoD's exterior at
fractions are not to be compared with
those of Mr. Gray. But as | said be.
fore, in a matter like this, where it is
the quality Of the mind, and not the
external appearance of the man alone,
that is to give happiness, it behooves a
maiden 10 look beneath the surface, as
| am trying to do now"
"But | could not love a man like
Mr.. Hambletor, unless, indeed, there
we're no possibility of getting any one
else. 10 that case | would make a
choice of evils between single blessed
ness and such a husband. But, to
have two such offers as you have,
Rose, and hesitate TO make a choice,
strikes me as singular indeed
Il don't hesitate, Annette was the
quiet reply.
Have you then, indeed, decided,
Rose}"
II have-anl this conversation has
caused me to decide; for as it has prog
ressed, my mind has been enabled to zee
truly the real difference in the
characters of my sultors."
"You have then decided in favor of
Mr.. Gray7'
Indeed | have no., Annette.
Though I lmire his fine talents, and
his polished exterior, yet l have never
been able to perceive in him those quail
tiles on which my heart can rest in
confidence. He will possess thes" in
even higher degree than Mr.. Ham
bleton, bat [ am afraid to run so great
a risk In the latter, know there are
moral qualities that | can love, and
that | can repose upon"
"Bnt he is so dull, Rose"
81 really do not think 50, Annette
There is not so much flash about him,
if | may use the word, about Mr.. Gray.
But as to his being dull, | must beg to
differ with you. To me, his co lver-
sation is always interesting"
at never is so to me. And besides all
that, his tastes and mine are as widely
different as the poles. Why, Rose, if
you become his wife you will sink into
obsc1rity at once. He can never make
any impression on society. 1t is net in
him."
"Rather make no impression on Soc
iety at all than to false or disgraceful
one, sayl," was the firm reply Of Rose,
"You can not, certainly, mean to say,
returned her friend, "that the impress
sioa made upon society by Mr.. Gray is
either false or disgraceful one"
Il should be sorry to make that as
sertion, for do not believe such to be
the case" Rose replied. "What |
mean j., that | can read Mr.. Hamble-
tons true character, and know it to be
based upon fixed and high moral prin-
ciples. These can never make the
woman who truly loves him unhappy.
They give place to no moral contin-
gencies, by which hopes are 20 often
wrecked and hearts broken. Now, in
regard to Mr.. Gray, there is nothing in
his character, SO far as | can read it,
upon which to predicate safe calcula-
tions of this kind. He is intelligent
and highly interesting as companion.
His personal appearance and his ad-
dress are attractive But all below the
exterior is hidden. The moral quail tie.
of the man never show them selves.
| | feel that to give my heart to such
a one would be risking too much. Of
course | must decline his offer"
"Indeed, indeed, Rose, think you
are very foOlish!'
"Time will show, Annette"
ayes, time will show was the pro-
| phetic response.
Aud time did show that Rose made
right choice when she accepted the
Offer of James Hambleton, and gave
him a warm, true heart Wisely and
well did she choose, for in her choice
she was governed by a rational con
viction that Jam Hambleton's char
acter was based upon high moral prin,
ciples. In resting her hopes upon
these she had nothing to fear.-T. S.
Arthur, in Yankee Blade.