The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-16

the road without speaking had become
unendurable. We left the place, and M
the Western town, that grew like musf
room on the spot that was little more
than wilderness when we settled theref
made my fortune in business which
was the outgrowth of my surroundings.
With the best luck it takes some time to
make fortune, and by the time | was
really rich I had come to forty years, and
passed IL. f5.
MY parents were both dead, and I had
not married. I had tried to fall in love,
but could not; and, if you will not think
me puppy, will tell you that, being
a pecuniary "catch," was rather per
secuted. Anxious parents with fine
families of grown daughters flung them
at my head, and the girls themselves
were not behindhand. If could have
believed that my personal qualities made
me appear in the light of prize, I should.
have felt fattered, and might have suci
cumbed; but I knew my money was the
bait which all those pretty fish were
anxious to nibble, and I resolved to leave
the place for awhile. The wealth that
seemed so great from local point OF
view was not an unusual amount OF
money in New York, where millionaires
have grown common, and I found the
great metropolis pleasant, and made
friends there. Among them soon num-
bered an old bachelor of literary tastes,
who told me that he had taken a fancy
to me: Ha proved it by being very coni
fdential. "You are twenty years
younger than l." he said; but still you
are of an age when men are usually
married. Perhaps you can comprehend
how you might go on for twenty years
more, and never find woman who
seemed exactly what you wanted 7" s@
Perfectly" said I.
ssNow I've had women set their caps
for me-" said he. Handsome women,
too. Perhaps you don't believe it9'' y:f
'Indeed, I do," said I, out of my OWN
experience. ..j Z
"Ah, you've been there; you've been
there" said Mr. Groton. stWell, I
couldn't respond. My fault; not theirs
But lately I've met woman who actually
does move me, butI have my doubts. I'm
afraid I sha'n't be happy. She's a blue
stocking" i
"Ah!" said ], not knowing what else
to remark. Ii
"I'm afraid of blue stockings, . said
Mr.. Groton. "They are usually bad
housekeepers, I am told, and they don't
look up to one. wish to be looked up
to. But have great faith in you. She's
to be at Mrs. Parker's on Wednesday
evening. I'll ask to bring you. And
you could do what can't-put leading
questions; discover what her domestic
qualities are-she suspects me; IL
daren't-and give me your opinion
There is a widow, very handsome Mrs.
CromGch-that may be more suitable.
But there's a charm about my blue
stocking. She doesn't write very mascu.
line books; they are about birds and
squirrels, and bees and flowers chill ildren's
books. But still you'll oblige friend. V
If you. approve, I'll see her home and
offer myself on the way; if not, I'll ask
to be the widows escort and propose to
her. can't waste time at my age, and
I want to settle down. question
her, pray" - ~
I promised, and, on Wednesday eveI
ming entered Mrs. Parker's parlors.
ssThere she sits at the table," whis7
pered the oatchelor. "Pretty, shoulders,
eh2"
I nodded, for Mrs. Parker advanced,
and there was no time for words. Twas
introduced.
"I want him to know your literary
friend. As stranger, he ought to know
our shining lights" said Mr.. Groton,
with great cunning.
"Delighted!" said Mrs. Parker. "Mr.F
Ashton, this way, please, Miss Doane,
MIR. Ashton desires an introduction.
OF course you have read all Miss Debo-5
rah Doane's works. What my children
would do without them I cannot say,
They are an education by themselves
"Debbie turned authoress!" thought.
It could not be. Yet Miss Deborah
Doanel Was it coincidence2
It was not; for the lady turned as her
hostess spoke to Debbie-Debbie still
more elegant if not quite so pretty.
She knew me at glance and as held
her hand all my old love awoke afresh
in my heart. And there stood MIR. Gro
ton listening, and Mrs. Parker and the
children and what could I say to her2 /
did not remark, 81 have had that pleas.
ure," nor did she. We sat and talked to
each other before an audience until
supper time. Then old Groton whispered
to me, "Take her down." And I did,.
And still my audience was large and at
tentive.
I had discovered that she, like myself,
was alone in the world. I saw that she
was ready to meet me half way. Yet the
hour for parting approached, and If old,
Groton took her home, proposed to her,t
and was accepted, all was over ana
vet while strangers listened to my words.
what could I utter to show her my IN
tentions2 This is what did say:
GAS you write about such things MISS
Doane, did you ever take notice OF the
fact that the year after forest fire blue
berries are very plenty on the shauna-
gunk Mountains?"
uOh, YES" she replied. 81 60 to the
Shaunagunk every summer, and l made
that discovery long ago."
uAnd you have not only made discovz
r I'D