The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-14

| OLu mrb. dranom bmlcu oVol n0r BOis
spectacles at her nephew Cecil and will
just touch of humor, asked;
"whyf"
"Well, you know I've been paying hel
some attention -
"And before committing yourself you
wish to get the opinion OF your friends
"You state IL bluntly, aunt, but sup
pose that Ia about the truth"
| Then, Cecil, ] cannot give you my
| opinion"
Cecil withdrew. As may be inferred
| he was an indecisive fellow, and, oi
course, was not now satisfied. Praise oi
Bessie from Aunt Mildred would have de-
cided him. But he was left exactly a. be-
| fore, except that he could draw two op-
| posing inferences. First, that II his aunt
had not favored his suit she would have
advised against it; second, that her re-
fusal to give an opinion meant that she
opposed IL.
Such men a. he adopt tests, but he had
not ingenuity to invent one. The secret
OF such doubt is usually high self esteem,
which oonjures an ideal worthy of afiec-
tion. Oddly enough the luminous point
In Cecil's ideal was fidelity. Bessie's So
cial position was level with his, but would
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 determine
tion, reach 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 outspoken man,
but withal thorough gallant, acquainted
with all the manageable ladies worth
knowing, he was just the man to render
the opinion Cecil cravod.
He was found in his glass inclosed
Office, millerishly white from -four he had
been examining before buying.
"Tom," began Cecil, after greetings,
al came to get your candid opinion of
Bessie Fallington."
Plotton looked "fool" at him, but re-
piled:
"Well, IL depends on what the opinion
is based. AS a commission merchant, say,
she'd be prime failure; as q sea captain,
ditto; and as -
GAS wife, for instance"
"That depends on the man who gets
her,"
"well, for me, say'"
"Ohol" exclaimed Piotton, running his
finger through some coffee grains In tin
box, "you're in love with her, are your"
Cranky, yes"
"And before you put yourself in dam
ger OF making q matrimonial blunder,
you're around getting opinions"
Well-bluntly, yes. The Same a. you
look into Bradstreet's before selling to o
stranger"
"The strangers credit IL doubtful when
do.
"wellf~
"You doubt Bessie Fallingtonf"
"Good gracious, mol"
"Then what do you want an opinion of
her fort II you don't doubt her, you're
sure of her. That's as plain as A. b. G.
II you love her and are sure of her worth,
an opinion isn't worth coffee grain, or
shouldn't be. II you love her, you'u
pitch in and move heaven and earth to get
her."
"But I ask your opinion, neverthe-
less"
"whether 1t cuts or notr'
"Yes."
"Give her up"
"Whyf"
you"
II don't grant that"
"Second, she's pronounced coquette:
wants wealth in a husband; is wilful:
demands continual petting; admires men
Of distinction, men who can cut dash,
and especially men of decision, but will
quarrel with him II her way is crossed:
doesn't know a saucepan from griddle,
&C., g., full of faults-but pretty as a
spring morning"
Graham rose pettishly.
"You don't believe my opinion, I see.
Very good; it's one sign you love the
girl. OF course you're invited to her pro-
gressive euchre party next week. Go and
criticise her-if you can In sight of her
beauty: Then we'll meet and compare
notes."
agreed. Good morning."
The next Tuesday evening found Cecil
In Bessie's fashionable home. He had
exactly poised his mind, but the first
sight of her unbalanced it in her favor. She
was rarely beautiful, and her welcome
rang with genuine hospitality. 1t seemed
impossible to criticse her; a good, true
heart must be the centre of such physical
loveliness, but Doubt whispered: swat
and watch"
OF guests, there were seven ladies and
e1gnt 4enJLemen. Bessie had, therefore,
to choose her first partner, and Cecil
watched eagerly to see which this would
be. 1t was Alfred Arnoldson 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" NUT
tered Cecil, as the bell rang for play.
When IL rang again for changing tables
he was obliged foreman at the Jack table.
because, In watching, he had blunderef
stupidity. Bessie and the author won tn,
game, and though they were not partners
In the next the merriment between them
and he saw her dart a perfect
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 scarcely spoke.
"Humph," muttered Cecil, "auite a
descent from literature to -four. Plotton
and will surely agree, for he is, un-
getting the cold shoulder
Yet, despite himself, doubts would
break into tho adverse decision. "Pcr- |
haps she Is true, after all; her spirits may
hov nf eutarta;nr..uk .~.... -