Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-10-02
TO reao; tnat of Marcus Gray puzzles my

10 read; tnat OF Marcus Gray puzzles my
closest scrutiny
'I certainly can not sympathize with you
In your singular notions, Rose," her friend
replied. "Certain. it is that never dis
covered either Of the peculiarities in these
young men that you seem to make Of so
much Importance. AS for Mr. Gray, he is
man oS whom any woman might eel proud,
for he combines intelligence with courteous
manner, and a fine person-while this Ham
bleton is, to me, insufferably stupid. And
no one, / am sure, can call his address and
manners any thing like polished. Indeed,
should pronounce him downright booriSh
and awkward. Who would want man for
q husband of whom she would be ashamedl
Not !, certainly"
81 will readily grant you, Annette" }" Rose
said, as her friend ceased speaking, shat
Mr.. HambletOn's exterior attractions are
not to be compared with those of Mr.. Gray.
But, as ! said before, in a matter like this,
where it is the quality Of the mind, and not
tho external appearance of the man alone,
that is to give happiness, it behooves Q
maiden tolook beneath the surface, as 1 am
trying 70 do now"
"But could not love q man like Mr.
Hambleton, unless, indeed, there were no
possibility Of getting any one else. In that
case would make choice Of evils between
single blessedness and such husband. But,
to have two such offers as you have, Rose,
and hesitate to make choice, strikes me as
singular indeed"
''I don't hesitate. Annette" was the quiet
reply.
"Have you then, indeed, decided, Rosean
81 have-and this conversation has caused
me to decide; for, as it has progressed, my
mind has been enabled to see truly the real
difference in the characters of my suitors."
"You have then decided in favor OF Mr..
Grayi"
"Indeed 1 have not, Annette. Though l
admire his fine talents, and his polished ex-
terror, yet have never been able TO per-
ceive in him those qualities on which my
heart can rest in confidence. He may pos
sess these in even higher degree than
Mr.. Hambleton, but am afraid to run so
great a risk. In the latter, know there
are moral qualities that can love, and that
/ can repose upon"
"But he is so dull, Rose"
81 really do not think so, Annette. There
is not so much flash about him, if may use
the word, as about Mr. Gray. But as to his
being dull, must beg to differ with you.
To me, his conversation is always interest
ing"
SIT never is so to me. And besides all
ferent as the poles. Why, Rose, If you be-
come his wife you will sink INTO obscurity
at once. He never can make any impress
sion on society. Il is not in him.
''Rather make no impression on society
at all than false or disgraceful one, say
l." was the firm reply of Rose.
"YOu can not certainly, mean to say,''
returned her friend, "that the impression
made upon society by Mr.. Gray Is either a
false or dlsgraceful one"
81 should be sorry to make that assertion,
for do not believe such to be the case,'
Rose replied. what mean is, that can
read Mr.. HambletOn's true character, and
know it to be based upon fixed and high
moral principles. These can never make
the woman who. truly loves him unhappy
They give place to no moral contingencies
by which hopes are SO often wrecked and
hearts broken. Now, in regard to Mr.
Gray, there is nothing in his character, SC
far as can read it, upon which to predicate
safe calculations of this kind. He is intelli
gent and highly interesting as a compan.
lon. His personal appearance and his ad
dress are attractive. But all below the ex.
terror is hidden. The moral qualities of the
man never show themselves feel that tc
give my heart to such one would be risk
ing too much. OF course l must decline his
offer.''
''Indeed, indeed, Rose, think you are
very foolishI'
'"Time will show, Annette"
Eyes. time will show" was the prophetic
response.
And time did show that Rose made righ
choice when she accepted the offer of James
Hambleton, and gave him a warm, true
heart Wisely and well did she choose, fol
in her choice she was governed by ra
tional conviction that James Hambleton':
character was based upon high moral prin
ciples. In resting her hopes upon these
she had nothing to fear.-T. s. Arthur, il
Yankee Blade.