The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-07-27
A DOUBTING LOVE.

II ~ ID LIN " AO As
"Aunt, what is your true opinion OF
Bessie Fallington?"
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 to get the opinions of your
friends?"
sYGu state it bluntly, aunt, but
suppose that is about the truth"
"Then, Cecil, l can not 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 Aunt Mildred would
have decided him. But he was left
exactly as before, except that he could
draw two opposing inferences. First,
that if his aunt had not favored his
suit she would have advised against it;
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 such doubt is usually high
self-esteem, which conjures an ideal
worthy of affection. Oddly enough
the luminous point in CeciIs ideal was
fidelity. Bessie's social position was
level with his, but would she be true?
Wasn't she coquette.
Tom Plotton was a down-city COM
mission merchant; one of those men
who forge ahead on the voyage of life.
and by the twin propellers, energy and
determination, reach a port of COM
mercial success. Cecil and he had
been college mates, but their late ac-
quaintance had only been casual, con-
fined to chance meetings at social
gatherings. An outspoken man, but
withal a thorough gallant, acquainted
with all the marriageable ladies worth
knowing, he was just the man to rem
der the opinion Cecil craved.
He was found in his glass-inclosed
office, millerishly white from flour he
had been examining before buying.
'Tom," began Cecil, after greetings,
81 came to get your candid opinion of
Bessie Fallington.
Plotton looked fool" at him, but re-
piled:
"Well, it depends on what the opin-
ion is based. AS commission mer-
chant, say, she'd be a prime failure
as a sea captain, ditto; and as"
GAS wife, for instance"
"That depends on the man who gets
her."
"Well, for me, say?"
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 dan
ger of making matrim onial blundel
you're around getting opinions.
"Well-bluntly, yes. The same a
you look into Bradstreet's before sell
ing to a stranger"
"The strangers credit is doubtful
when do"
'Well?"
"You doubt Bessie Fallington?"
"Good gracious, mop
"Then what do you want an opinion
of her for? If you don't doubt he
you're sure of her. That's as plain a
A B. c.. If you love her and are sur
of her worth, an opinion isn't worth
coffee grain, or shouldn't be. If yo
love her, you'll pitch in and NOV
heaven and earth to get her."
"But ask your opinion, neverthe
less"
"Whether it cuts or not?"
eyes"
"Give her up"
"Why?"
First, if you doubt her, she won
suit you" q.
81 don't grant that"
Second, she is pronounced CT
, quette; wants wealth in a husband;
willful; demands continual pettin;
: admires men of distinction, men wh
can cut dash, and especially men
decision, but will quarrel with him
her way is crossed; doesn't know
saucepan from griddle, ETC., ETC., fu
of faults-but pretty as spring morl
I ing"
Graham rose pettishly.
7 "You don't believe my opinion,
see. Very good; it's one sign yc
/. love the girl. OF course you're il
vited to her progressive euchre part
next week. Go and criticise her
you Cdu III VI hOA A>
wen meet and compare notes."
agreed Good morning."
J The next Tuesday evening four
Cecil in Bessie's fashionable home. F
had exactly poised his mind, but Il
Y first sight of her unbalanced it in h
!, favor. She was rarely beautiful, al
L her welcome rang with genuine no
d pitality. 1t seemed impossible to cri
else her; a good, true heart must
the center of such physical lovelines
1t but Doubt whispered: "Wait al
- watch"
Z OF guests, there were seven ladi
g and eight gentlemen. Bessie ha
= therefore, to choose her first partne
y and Cecil watched eagerly to see whi
d this would be. 1t was Alfred Arnol
son Hughes, who had lately won lite
: ary fame. Bessie smiled brilliant
5, upon him as they took seats at the q
table.
}, "She's flirting with that fellow
10 muttered Cecil as the bell rang
play.
y When it rang again for changi
tables he was obliged to remain at
jack table, because, in watching,
had blundered stupidity. Bessie a
the author won the game, and thou
they were not partners in the ne
the merriment between them cont
ued, and he saw her dart perfect