News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-07-30
"First he thought this,
Then he thought that,
Next he thought
He didn't know what"

Bessie was the only child of a rich
widow, who lived in excellent style,
and who was perfect mistress of her in
come She was q sweet, dainty little
blond, always irreproachably stylish
in dress, always ready to dimple into
smiles, and never at a loss for just
the most agreeable thing to say.
Nora was a close friend of Bessie's,
but in all respects a contrast. She
was no tenderly-nurtured heiress, but
a poor, brave girl, who had by the
force of intellect, study and hard
work gained an enviable position in
the literary world. Her income from
her writings was very handsome; she
visited in the most aristocratic cir
cles; she was charming in person and
the fashionable world. But then Ju-
lius felt that in every sense she would
not only be the ''better half" but
probably hefour-fourths ofthe house
and that his personality wonld sink
simply into "Mrs. Mays husband. ;"
So Bessie won the decision, and he
determind, if his new suit came home
the next day, to offer Miss Bell the
handsome person which it adorned.
For, to tell the truth, he was a hand
some fellow; and if this work-a-day
world had only been a great drawing
room, with theatrical alcoves and
musical conservatories, why, then Ju-
lius would have been no undesirable
companion through it.
The new suit came home and fitted
perfectly; the tOnsorial department
was equally effective in it's results;
every precaution had been taken, he
felt an earnest of success in the very
prosperity of these perliminaries. He
rang at Mrs. Bells door; before the
footman could open it, gentleman
came quickly out, threw himself into
Mrs. Bells carriage, and a voice OF
authority, ordered the coachman to
drive to the wharf.
The incident scarcely attracted his
attention until, upon entering the
parlor, he saw pretty Bessie watch
ing the disappearing vehicle with
fearful eyes. She glided into her usu.
al beaming, pretty manner; and very
soon Mrs Bell came in, and asked
him to remain to dinner.
After dinner Mrs Bells clergyman
called about some of the church's
charities, and as the young people
were singing, they went into the Ii
brary to discuss them. Now was th'
golden moment, and Julius was moi
afraid to seize it. What do men say
on such occasions?
Do they ever say what they intend
ed? DO they remember what the!
say? / don't believe Julius did; TO
before he had done-right in the mid
die of most eloquent sentence-Bes
sic laid her hand on his with a fright
ened little movement, saying:
"Mr. May, please, sir do stop. Sure
ly you know that | have been engag
ed ever since | was eighteen to Pro
fessor Mark Tyler. Everybody know
tive had a betrothal-party-he i
just gone to Europe for six month
that is what l was crying about
why, all our set know about it, h
has been away for nearly two year
in the Rocky mountains and Califol
MIA. Mamma said we were to wal
until | was twenty-one, but | low
him just the same-and | am quit
sure | never did anything to max
you think could care for you in thi
way, Mr.. May" and Bessie locke
: just bit indignant.
81 have had the honor, Miss Bel
of being your escort all winter"
: "Oh, dearl Did you think | wa
going to marry you for that? In a
our pleasant little dinners and drive
and dances, is there matrimonif
speculation? That would indeed
dreadful"
!. She loved the professor too truly
she had been simply pleasant an