The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-05-15
WHICH ONE?

-On the contrary, my dear boy, have
been thinking of it for some time"
Fred Bent gave low whistle.
well, must say you have kept it
mighty private"
"The best policy. If l had told you
In the first place you might have per-
saaded me out of the notion. Now it is
inpossible.'
"But you said you should never
1nrry."
"An blow. my dear fellow. When
man is young, a mere boy, he does well
to rail at marriage and declare that he
VIII never wed. When a man arrives
at my years and gray hairs he will think
better of it."
''But Laurie, honest old fellow, were
yu0 never in love?'
'@Me-neverr And Laurence Weston
lxnghed scornfully at the idea as he
Sighted fresh cigar.
"Then you are not going to marry for
hover inquired Bent.
mo"
"What for, thenr'
'-Oh, a variety of things, suppose. y
Money, for one thing, ! fancy" he
vent on, ''and then l am growing older:
my chances to marry well-to my liking
now, and | always intended to marry
finally"
'-Oh, did your
''Yes, though l would never own it;
hot am in earnest now, and / mean to
znArry before this year is out"
"Have you selected the lady?"
There are two of them"
-Oh, you are going over to the Nor
aaons''
mo, but you know reserve force
comes handy. IF one won't'-you know
tho rest. Now, my dear Fred, all this
nonsense about falling in love Is bosh-
pure humbug. | never could love one
woman any better than another, unless
knew her better and discovered in her
nature more lovable qualities l think
it is much better to select a woman
whom you think in every way likely to
suit you, and then set about learning to
6ke her. When a man is head over ears
in love his judgment is warped and his
syesight proverbially poor
Fred Bent laughed good naturedly.
81 don't know, Laurie. am always
m love, SO of course my advice is worth
less to you
Exactly said his friend. Now these
two young ladies"
'Would you object to telling me their
nAmesF interrupted Bent.
i''Not in the least. They are both called
blanche"
"What, the two BlanchesY'
Yes, Miss Sturtevant and Miss Well
mgton-both very suitable in every way,
and, as far as know. heart whole and
fancy free"
"Well, you ought to win," said Bent.
t.
have plenty of assurance. But must be
going" and he arose.
At the door he turned and called back:
''Shall l see you at the Leonards' to
morrow nightT
''Yes. shall be there"
The next night found him, fautlessly
Attired, at Mrs Leonard's reception
A simmer of peach bloom satin in
the moving mass of humanity attracted
him, and taking pair of sparkling
brown eyes as guiding stars he made his
way to the side of Blanche Sturtevant.
As she made room for him beside her
she said:
Il thought you didn't like receptions. +"
II do not as general thing" he re-
piled, "but this had peculiar attraction
for me-
The meaning he threw into the glance
he bestowed on her sent the delicate rose
bloom to her cheeks, and she looked ten
times as lovely to his fastidious eyes
But suddenly, while he gazed at her
pretty flushed face, queer sensation
seized him. He felt actually tinid about
asking this beautiful girl to be his wife,
even though he had been for years a man
of the world. Somehow he felt as though
she could read his very thoughts with
those bright eyes.
ttDo look very badlyY'
Her musical voice recalled him to his
senses.
81 beg your pardon. Was staring at
you? Your dress is beautiful-and you"
THANK you" she said hurriedly.
II fancied from the intentness of your
gaze you had not quite decided whether
would do or not" and she laughed.
Il was in a brown study" he returned.
The crowd surged around them, and
two or three men looked anxiously at
the seat occupied by Weston.
Some music was playing in another
room, and when the strain had ended
he spoke again.
miss Sturtevant," he said, Il wanted
TO ask you question tonight, but the
crowd Is so great that there is not much
opportunity for confidential talks. IF
write to you tomorrow will you favor
me with a replyY'
"Certainly!' and the brown eyes
aniled sweetly, and perhaps uncon-
sciously at him, as he rose to relinquish
his seat to another admirer.
..There-that was neatly done," was
his mental cominent; mo fusz, no love
making to undergo, nothing disagree
able, and if the fates are kind shall
have one of the finest looking and one of