Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-26
CHAPTER I.

fed with the spot they had selected, there
fore who should question its seclusion? But
water is the conductor of sound, and when
two lovers "go a-courtin'" on the river and
choose for their bower an island round
which other lovers of boating are apt to
wander, they really should be careful what
they say.
Dolly, you know love you, haven't I
told you SO thousands of times?"
"Yes; but why?"
What a confession for a man, who didn't
know what love was. to hear! Fancy Dolly's
sweetheart telling her thousand times
that he loved her, and the only answer she
could make him was: "Yes; but why?"
Poor Dolly couldn't understand why he
loved her. Sweet young things, to be SO
happy; they were in love, and there was an
end to everything. What was the outside
world to them A dreamland, and they
were the only two mortals living in that
land. They must have been. for they didn't
notice the solitary figure that punted nearly
into their canoe.
Tom, or whatever the poor deluded fel-
lows name was, looked crestfallen. He
was thinking Of Dolly's answer. What
ever does Dolly mean? / keep telling her
I love her, and she asks me why, and I
don't know, so 1 can't tell her," I'm sure
this is what he was coming over in his
mind, for he must have told her scores of
times she was pretty, and plump, and -
Well, didn't know any more about her
qualities, could only judge by out
ward appearances, seeing her for moment,
and a pretty face always attracts, and
Dolly's was attractive; consequently she
must be pretty, and not vain; otherwise
she wouldn't have asked why her sweet
heart loved her, but would have con-
cluded that it was because she was pretty,
for Tom must have often told her so, and she
didn't either believe him, or, like little
coquette, which, perhaps, she was, Dolly
wanted to be told so over and over again.
"Leave the turtle doves in peace; punt in,
Jack, to the Belle Weir Hotel, and refresh
the inner man."
A briefess barrister-an uncommon being
family pride had made him one, personal
pride would have made him someone who
could make money. But what will tn e
world say?" had to be considered, and no
trade could be thought Of. Consequently
''the him" in question, more commonly
called Jack Dainstey, was educated for the
bar, and now. in his 25th year. was about as
poor as a fellow possibly could be, and by
the advice OF oil his friends and relations
was, as a last resource, about to take unto
himself wife who could keep him. But
love wasn't thought Of. What state of
affairsl
And until hearing Toms confession and
Dolly's answer, the idea of marrying with
out love had not entered my head. I'd
been out in the world, met girl after girl,
admired pretty face, firted outrageously
and remained heart-whole, yet was en-
gagged to be married to one of the prettiest
girls in town. But our courtship was not
romantic. I'd never told Madge L loved
her; I'd asked her to be nv wife in the
same matter-of-fact way as I'd ask any man
to brush my coat she'd said the necessary
"Yes," and we were engaged. Paragraphs
appeared in all the society papers to that
effect, and the world knew all about it. |
Many fellows called me a lucky dog"
others spoke of the truth when they said 1 |
was marrying that pretty Miss Mills for her |
money.
Conscience, you are my adviser. Is there |
such thing as love? Tell me, before it is |
too late
Conscience answers "Yes, but you don't |
know what it is.
Conscience, you are right, Here's the |
Bell Weir at last, and I'll toast your health |
in quart of shandy-gaff, for I'm awfully |
dry.
"Alice, is it too late? I'm to be married |
tomorrow, and instead of being the happiest |
girl in creation am undoubtedly the most
miserable. Alice, Jack doesn't love meY'
So spoke Madge Mills to her bosom friend
the day before her marriage.
"Madge, how absurd you are! Not love
you. indeed! Why, men don't make show
of their affections, that only happens in
fairy tales or novels. Do you expect Jack
to be always bending over you and whisper
ing soft nothings IN your ear? Because,
dear, if you do, quickly undeceive your
Young trusting sell, and be content with the
unyarnished side of Jacks nature. He
can't be all polish, as some men are, but
then their polish often hides blemishes,
whereas Jack is in the rough diamond state.
It's for you to do all the polishing, and re-
member my words, Madge-the advice of
YOUR matter-of-fact Iriend-it rests with you
entirely whether Jack turns out perfect
gem. one that the whole world will covet, or
spoit in the process of transformation, and
consea uently no good. There, dear, is
task tor you to master. Mould your hus-
band into shape, but be careful how you
do it"
"But Jack is such an uncommon lover,
Alice never caring to 60 anywhere with
me. 'Oh, I hate dances, 1 can't stand
crowds etc., etc. What must people have
must they think? Why,
that he is marrying me simply for money;
and YeC, AllCe, NOW lOf6 ulIu! dpDSdI 4
to YOU once more. Shall /, at the eleventh
hour, break off the engagement and set him
free or shall 1 endeavor to win him to me,
to make him love me, il camp
"Wise young person! Make him worship
at your shrine. Jack is strange fellow.
He doesn't care for girls who gad about, as
he calls it, and every man is after; Jack
isn't that sort OF man who would be jeal-
Gus ii other men made love to his wife.
Those men are fools, or the women are, to
give them cause. He would be disguised,
and rightly so. Set your cap,
vulgarly speaking, at Jack, but don't let
him see you are doingit. Use your woman's
tact and destinations. Let him see you are
not like all women His love, respect and
admiration is what you covet-and only his.
There, my sermon is ended, and you shall
utter the Amen"
"Amen, Alice. and thank you. To-
morrow morning Jack and will be bound |
by chains that death only can sever. If I
win his love, it will be as wife, not as a
maid"
"Madgel Madge! Where are you? Here
have 1 been hunting all over the house and
grounds to try and find you. That fellow
Standings here, and wants me to 60 to town
with him. He's found US out. and says
we're making our honeymoon too long, and
we ought to be back amongst our old friends
and our old haunts. But somehow, I'd
rather stop here and be quiet. Wouldn't
you?"