The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-05-07
WHICH ONE:
The Predicament Of a Bachelor
Determined to Marry.

You don't mean it..
But do. though
Isn't it a rather sudden conclusion
ION the contrary, my dear boy, have
been thinking of it for some time"
Fred Bent gave low whistle.
We'll, must say you have kept it
mighty private
The best policy. Ii had told you in
the first place you might have per-
suaded me out of the notion. Now it is
impossible
But You said you should never
marry
.'All blow. my dear fellow. When a
man is young, a mere boy, he does well
to rail at marriage, and declare he will
never we'd. When he arrives at my
years and gray hairs he will think bet
ter of it.
But Laurie. honest old fellow. were
you never in love-?
''Me-never..' And Laurence Weston
laughed scornfully at the idea as he
lighted fresh cigar.
Then you are not going to marry for
love?" inquired Bent.
No
What for. them"
''Oh. variety of things, suppose, y
was Westons answer, AS he settled him
self more firmly in his crimson easy
chair and looked contempiatively at the
ceiling, while the blue wreaths of
smoke from his choice cigar made an
ethereal halo about his handsome head
Money. for one thing. fancy" he
went on, land then am growing older.
my chances to marry well-to my lik-
ing-will not always be as fair as they
arc now, and always intended to mar
ry finally
'Oh. did your
Yes. though | would never own it,
but am in earnest now, and mean to
marry before this year is out
Have you selected the lady?''
There are two of them
oh. you are going over to the Nor
mons"
No. but you know u reserve force
comes handy. If one won't you
know the rest. Now. my dear Fred,
all this nonsense about falling in love
is bosh-pure humbug. l never could
love one woman any better than
another, unless knew her better. and
discovered in her nature more lovable
qualities. | think it is much better TO
select woman whom you think in
every way likely to suit you. and then
set about learning to like her. When
a man is head over ears in love his
judgment is warped and his eyesight
proverbially poor.
Fred Bent laughed good naturally.
Il don't know, Laurie-I am Away
in love, SO, Of course, my advice is
worthless to you
Exactly" said his friend. Now
these two young ladies'
Would you object to telling me their
names?" interrupted Bent.
Not in the least They are both
called Blanche
What. the two Elanches?'
Yes, Miss Sturtevant and Miss We'll
lington--both very suitable in every
way, and, as far as ! know, heart
whole and fancy free
''Well. you ought to VIM" said Bent.
''You are good looking and, by Jovc,
you have plenty of assurance. But |
must be going" and he arose.
At the door he turned and called
back:
''Shall see you at the Leonards to-
morrow night?'
Yes, l shall be there"
"All right: good night. and. wh;stlng
softly to himself. he passed out of the
Merrick house. where Laurence Weston
had his bachelor quarters.
After he had gone his friend finished
his cigar and then, with si.ile on his
lips. retired for the night.
d Laurence Weston was Il handsome
man, and he knew it and made use of
the knowledge whenever he could.
He was a great favorite with the
weaker seS-handsome men always are
and had he desired to. he might have
counted his conqucsts by the score.
He was not wealthy. His income
barely sufiiced for his own luxurious
living, and when he married he could
by no means afford to despise that dross
for which men have, before now, sold
their souls.
Surely it was no harm for him to part
with that insignificant organ in his anat-
omy, which he called u heart. in return
.or fair amount Of loneliness and gold.