Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-16
THE LUCKY MAN.

Bessie Fallington?"
Old Mrs Graham smiled over her
gold spectacles at her nephew Cecil, and.
with Just touch Of humor, asked:
"Whyy'
"Well, you know I've been paying her
some attention.
"And before committing yourself you
wish TO get the opinions Of your friends. "
"You state II bluntly, aunt, but sup
pose that is about the truth"
Then, Cecil. cannot give you my
opinion"
Cecil Withdrew. AS may be inferred
no was an indecisive fellow, and Of
conrse 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 the
opposite differences. First, that IL his
amt had not favored his suit she would
have advised against il; second, that her
refusal 10 give an opinion meant that she
opposed it.
Such men ms he adopt tests, but he
had not ingenuity 10 invent one. The
secret Of such doubt is usually self es-
teen, which conjures an ideal worthy
of affection. Oddly enough the lumi-
nous point in Cecil's ideal was fidelity.
Bessie's social position was level with
his, but would she he truel Wasn't she
coquette;
Tom Plotton was down city commits
sion mcrchant--one Of those men who
forge ahead On the voyage n life, and by
the twin propellers, energy and deter.
mination, reach a port of commercial
success. Cecil and he had been college
mates, but their late acquaintance had
only been casnal, confined TO chance
meetings nj social gatherings. An out
spoken man, but withal a thorough gal
liant, acquainted with all the marriage
able ladies worth knowing, he was jus.
the man to render the opinion Cecil
craved.
He was found I'm his glass inclosed
Office. millerishly white from -four 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 taa opinion
is based. As commission merchant.
say, she'd he prime failure; as q sea
captain, ditto; and as
"As wife. for instance"
THAT depends on the man who gets
her."
"Well, for me, say?"
"Oho" exclaimed Plotton, running his
finger through some coffee grains in tin
box, "you'rc in love with her, are. your
FRANKLY, yes"
"And before you put yourself in dan
ger of making matrimonial blundel
you're around getting opinions"
"Well-bluntly, yes. The same as you
look into Bradstreets before selling to q
stranger"
"The strangers credit is doubtful
when do
"WellY"
"You doubt Bessie Fallingtony"
Good gracious. not"
Then what do you want an opinion
Of her fort II you don't doubt hel
you're sure Of her. That's as plain a,
A BIC. n you love her and are sur,
Of her worth an opinion isn't worth .
coffee grain or shouldn't be. If you Low,
her you'll pitch in and move heaven ant
earth TO get her"
But ask your opinion, nevertheless.
whether it cuts or noty'
Yes"
"Give her up"
Why
First, IL you doubt her, she won
suit you"
IL don't grant that"
Second, she's a pronounced coquette
wants wealth in a husband; is willful
demands continual petting; admire
men OF distinction, men who can cut
dash and especially men of decision, bu
will quarrel with him IL her way 4
crossed; doesn't know saucepan iron
a griddle, etc, full of faults-but prett,
as a spring morning"
Graham rose pcttishly.
"You don't believe my opinion, I sec
Very good; it's one sign you love tn
girl. OF course, you're invited TO he
progressive cuchcr party next week. O.
and criticise her-if you can In sight o
her beauty. Then we'll meet and com
pare notes"
agreed. Good morning."
The next Tuesday evening foun,
Cecil in Bessie's fashionable home. III
had exactly poised his mind, but tn,
first sight Of her unbalanced il in he
favor. She" was rarely beautiful, am
her welcome rang with genuine hos
pitality. II seemed impossible TO criti
else her; good, true heart must h,
the center Of such physical lowell
ness, but doubt whispered, "wait an,
watch"
OF guests, there were seven ladies an,
eight gentlemen. Bessie had, therefore
to choose her first partner, and Ceci
watched eagerly 10 see which this woul,