Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-06-16
THE LUCKY MAN.

gold spectacles at her nephew Cecil and,
with Just touch Of humor, asked:
."WhyY'
."well, you know I've been paying her
some attention.
A.And before committing yourself you
wish TO get the opinions of your friends"
AfYou state it bluntly, aunt, but sup
pose that is about the truth"
Then, Cecil, l 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 Aunt Mildred would have
decided him. But he was left exactly
as before, except that he could draw the
opposite differences. First, that if his
aunt had not favored his suit she would
have advised against it; second, thathe
refusal togive 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 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 abe be true? Wasn't she
coquette?
Tom Plotton was down city commits
sion merchant--one of those men who
forge ahead on the voyage of life, and by
the twin propellers, energy and deter
mination, reach o port of commercial
success. Cecil and he had been college
mates, but their late acquaintance had
only been casual, confined to chance
meetings at social gatherings. An out
spoken man, but withal thorough gal
lant, acquainted with all the marriage
able ladies worth knowing, he was just
the man to render the opinion Cecil
craYed.
He was found in his glass inclosed
office, ynillerishly white from flour he
had been examining before buying.
"Tom," began Cecil, after greetings,
81 came to get your candid opinion of
Bessie Fallington."
Plottop looked 'fool" at him but re-
piled:
"Well, it depends on what the opinion
is based. AS commission merchant,
say, she'd be prime failure; as sea
captain, ditto; and as"-
GAS a 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're in love with her, are your
Frankly, yes"
"And before you put yourself in dan
ger of making a matrimonial blunder
you're around getting opinions"
"Well-bllntly, yes. The same as you
look into Bradstreet's before selling to a
stranger"
"The strangers credit is doubtful
when l do"
"Wellp
"You doubt Bessie Fallington?"
"Good gracious, no!''
"Then what do you want an opinion
of her for? If you don't doubt hel
you're sure of her. That's as plain as
ABC. If you love her and are sure
of her worth an opinion isn't worth 6
coffee grain or shouldn't be. If youlovt
her you'll pitch in and move heaven ant
earth to get her."
"But ask your opinion, nevertheless.
"Whether it cuts or notP'
"Yes."
"Give her up"
"Why%
"First, If you doubt her, she won
suit you."
; II don't grant that"
} "Second, she's pronounced coquette
, wants wealth in husband; is willful
) demands continual petting; admire
a men of distinction, men who can cut
, dash and especially men of decision, bu
r will quarrel with him if her way
1 crossed; doesn't know saucepan fror
| a griddle, etc., full of faults-but prett
as spring morning."
|. Graham rose pettishly.
!, "You don't believe my opinion, set
4 Very good; it's one sign you love tn
/ girl. Of course, you're invited to he
n progressive eucher party next week. 6
q and criticise her-if you can in sight {
4 her beauty. Then we'll meet and con
It pare notes."
!. "Agreed. Good morning."
a The next Tuesday evening foun
!. Cecil in Bessie's fashionable home. Il
n had exactly poised his mind, but tn
,r first sight of her unbalanced it in HI
n favor. She was rarely beautiful, an
4 her welcome rang with genuine no
" pitality. 1t seemed impossible to crit
d else her; good, true heart must
4 the center of such physical love-
,, ness, but doubt whispered, "Wait al
,e watch"
"a Of guests, there were seven ladies al
es eight gentlemen. Bessie had, therefor
j. to choose her first partner, and Cec
in watched eagerly to see which this wou
be. 1t was Alfred Donaldson Hughe
who had lately won literary fame, Bess
smiled brilliantly upon him as they to-
1r seats at the ace table.
a. "She's flirting with that fellow" mt
re- tered Cecil, as the bell rang for play.
n When it rang again for changil
he tables he was obliged to remain at t
So jack table, because in watching he h
rd blundered stupidity. Bessie and the a
We thor won the game, and though tn
k were not partners in the next the mer
lv ment between them continued, and
no saw her dart perfect coquette's SIN
re at him as at the next he went down
N. the king.
nd Tom Plotton was her next partn
,is but her sparkle was gone. She scarce
lis spoke.
he "Humph," muttered Cecil, "quite
descent from literature to flour. Plott
es- and will surely agree, for he is