The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-07-15
4 DOUBTING LOVE.
Cecn Graham and His Half-Heart-
ed WoCing.

BESSIE Fallingtou?'
Old Mrs. Graham smiled over her gold
spectacles at her nephew Cecil, and, with
just touch of humor, asked:
''Why?"
well. you know I've been paying her
some attention -
And before committing yourself
You wish 10 get the opinions of your
friends"
You state it bluntly, aunt, but sup
pose that il about the truth.
Then, Cecil, 1 cannot give you my
opinion
Cecil withdrew. As may be inferred
he was an indecisive fellow, and of
course was not now satisfied. Praise Of
Bessie from Amt Mildred would have
decided him. But he was left exactly
as before, except that he could draw
two opposing infcrcnccs. First. that il
his aunt had not favored his suit she
would have advised against II: second,
/ that her refusal To give an opinion meant
! that she opposed it.
Such men as he adopt tests, but he
! had not ingenuity to invent one. The
! secret of suck doubt Is usually high
! Sclf-estecm. which conjurcs an ideal
worthy OF affection. Oddly enough.the
! luminous point in Cecil's ideal was fidel-
| ity. Res.ie's social position was level
with his, but would she be true? Wasn't
! she cOquctte?
| Tom Plotton was q dOvrIl-citv commits
| sion merchant; one ofFthose men who
forge ahead on the voyage OF life, and
! by the twin Propellcrs energy and de-
| termination reach port OF commercial
! success. Cecil and lac had been college
! mates, but their late acquaintance had
| n oh
meeting At social gatherings. An out
! spoken mas but wi'hal a thorough
! gallant, acquainted with all marria-ca-
! bic ladies' worth knowing. he was Just
! the man To render the opinion Cecil
! craved.
He was found in hiss glass-inelosed
| office. millerishly white from -four, he
had been examining besore buying.
| Tom began Cecil. after greetings.
! Il came 10 get your candid opinion Of
! BESSIE Fall;ngton.
Plottun looked fool DIT him, but re-
| piled:
We'll, 1t doScnd on what the opinion
/ i based As Il commission merchant
( say, she'd DC 4 prime failur, Is a sea
! captain ditto; and as
AS wife, for instance
That depends ou>the Inm who gets
( her
We'll. for me, say?7
Ohio exclaimed Piotton, running
his finger through some coffee grains
in tin box, you're in love with her,
are you?"
Frankly yes"
And before You put yourself in dam
ger OF making matrimonial blunder,
you're around getting opinions"
'WcII-bluntiy.- YES. The same as
! You look into Brad>trect's before selling
e a stranger"
"The STRANGERS credit is doubtful
when ! do.
.'Wcll?"
You doubt Bessie FallingtOn?'
Good gracious, no.
Then what do you want an opinion
a her for? If you don't doubt her,
vorr' sure OF her. That's as plain as
\. Il, c. If YOU love her and are sure
of her worth, an opinion isn't worth
coffee grain, o- shouldn't be If You
love her, you'll pitch in and move
heaven and earth TO get her"
But l ask your opinion. neverthe-
| less"
Whether it cuts or not?"
Yes
Give her up
s.Why?"
First, if You doubt her, she won't
! suit you.~
| Il don't grant that"
| Second. she s a pronounced coquette;
wants wealth in husband; il villful:
! demands continual petting; admires
men of distinction, mon who can cut a
| dash. and especially men of decision,
hut viii quarrel with him If her way is
| crossed; doesn't know a saucepan from
/ F,,1 - Int
pretty as Il spring morning"
| Graham rose pettishly.
''You don't believe my opinion, see.
| Very good: its one sign you love the
| girl. of course you're invited to her
| progressive euchre party next week.
! Go and c-iticise hcr-if you can in sight
! of her beauty. Then well meet and
| compare notes"
Agreed. Good morning"
| The next Tuesday evening found
| Cecil in Bessie's fashionable home lie
had exactly poised his mind, but the
! first sight of her unbalanced 1t in her
| favor. She was rarely beautiful, and
her welcome rang with genuine hospi-
| tality. 1t seemed impossible to criti-
else her; good, true heart must be the
| center of such physical lovelincss, but
| Doubt whispered: Wait and watch
!
| eight gentlemen. Bessie had, therefore,
! to choose her first partner, and Cecil
watched eagerly to see which this
would be. 1t was Alfred Arsoldson
| Hughes, who had lately won literary
| fame. Bessie smiled brilliantly upon
( him as they took seats-at the ace table.
''She's flirting with that fellow
muttered Cecil, as the bell rang for
! play.
When il rang again for changing ia
] bles, ne was obliged to remain at the
| jack table, besausc, in watching, he
had bIundered stupidly. Bessie and
| the author won the game, and. though
they were not PARTNERS in the next. the
mcrrimcnt between them continued
and he saw her dart a perfect coquette's
| smile at him as at the next he went
down To- the kings:
Tom Plotton was her next partner,
but her sparkle was gone. She scarce
ly spoke to him
''Humph," muttered Cecil. quite a
descent from literature to -four. Plot
ton and | will surely agree, for he is
undoubtedly getting the cold shoul-
der
Yet, despite himself, doubts would
break into his adverse decision. Per
| iidpS S4lG - IIuCs sLlls hCT
| may be her way of entertainments /
may be making a fearful mistake
Finally good luck advanced him and
he became her partner for 4 game She
was all life again; exactly rs She had
| been To the author. He believed ne de-
tected her wish 10 draw him on 10 low
! ing her, and, though flattered, the old
! doubt grew stronger. The duties of
! hostess did not necessitate such action;
! she had tried to draw the author on;
-.