The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-25
GEORGES MISTAKE.
OF What the Van Duzener Pride
Really Consisted.

Really Consisted.
Bar ring an occasional bill or adver
tising circular, George Mortimer's mail
had, as a rule, consisted mainly of Ger
tain darling little notes which sweetly
thanked him for flowers or candy; ol
told him that the writer would be de
lighted to accept his invitation to the
theater; or, else, that she had colo
and couldn't go, so would he "come
around" instead. Fancy, then, his dis.
may, one misty, moisty morning." as
the nursery rhyme goes, upon finding
beside his breakfast plate in the shabby
boarding-house dining-room a letter ad-
dressed, in a feminine hand, to be sure,
but not at all the hand which had
penned the darling notes above men
toned. When Mr.. Mortimer had mas
tered its contents, he was so upset that
he forgot to eat his breakfast, but set
forth downtown to the office where he
enjoyed the proud position and slender
salary of assistant bookkeeper, with a
mind full of conflicting emotions. The
accounts must have done themselves
that day, for Mr.. Mortimer has no recol-
lection of rendering any assistance
whatever. And when night arrived, he
got through his dinner with a speed
that was simply frightful, and started
for the abode of his hearts treasure in
violent hurry.
"If only Bella's grandmother, he
thought as he walked along, could
have held on to her bit of property just
little longer, they might have pre-
sented quite a respectable appearance
in the eyes of Aunt Van Duzener; but
as the old lady has gone broke, and
Bella insists on going to work, I'm
afraid things will look rather rusty to
my proud relation"
In short time, Mr.. Mortimer was
seated in the shabbiest, coziest little
sitting-room in town, pouring into the
ear of the girl of his heart the most
crazy, incoherent account of the con-
tents of the letter that could possibly
be imagined. Finally, he wound up
with:
Its insufferable, now, isn't it,
Bella?"
Bella's pretty face looked anxious.
''If one could read it for ones self,
George"
Certainly" And he produced the
letter with an air which plainly said:
We are one.
After reading it carefully through,
Bella handed it back, saying:
'As understand it, the position is
this: Your aunt, Mrs. Van Duzener,
who has been living abroad for three
years for the benefit of her invalid son,
Ss ol, 30 4
her sons death. She asks you to have
her fine house put in order, servants
hired and so on, and, furthermore, to
relieve her loneliness, she begs you to
make your home with her while she
lives, and you shall receive just por-
ton of her worldly goods when she
dies. Now, should think that quite
endurable."
Zine, Bella, as far as it goes. Only,
you see," said the young man, with an
apologetic air, this aunt of mine is as
proud as Lucifer. Famous for dragging
in the Van Duzener pride, you know,
on all occasions, and"
''ln fact" said Bella, trying to laugh,
''you think humble person like me
would not be quite in touch with the
Van Duzener pride, eh, George?"
''Candidly," said Mr.. Mortimer, 81
don't. So l shall decline my aunt's
offer Immediately"
You won't do any such thing" said
Bella, promptly. when you are so
lucky as to have any relations, don't be
so ungrateful as to turn your back on
them. Your aunt is an old lady, and
perhaps her heart is aching with lone
hness. If your companionship will be
any comfort to her, it is your duty to
give it. AS for us, we couldn't marry
at present anyway. Your salary is too
small to take in grandmother, too,
comfortably, and must stay and work
for her At all events let us each do
what seems right, and surely some day
fortune will smile upon us.
When Mr.. Mortimer said good night
to his sweetheart he was quite con-
vinced that She was little short of an
angel. She had unselfshly insisted
upon his doing his duty by his aunt.
And only to think" said he to him
self, what jolly good heart she's got.
When that shabby old grandmother of
fered-almost insisted, in fact--on go
ing to the Old Peoples home, so that
our marriage might be more possible,
or so that Bella might and more lucra-
tive employment away from home,
what do you think Bella did? She just
hugged that shabby old grandmother
and told he- never to dare 20 say sue h
thing again. Yes, sir, she did!' And
Mr.. Mortimer, in the violence of his
admiration, stamped his cane down so
nard on the sidewalk that he broke it,
Bella. when she announced that she
npst go TO work to maintain her grand.
mother and herself, found that the
'hoice OF an occupation, to say nothing