The Opelousas courier., 1892-06-04

80 S SPPSSibiOu " tiIO AOQCIus IdpIQ,
hazardous manner of conducting bust.
ness. Harry was his chief book keeper,
a young man of pleasing address, active
and ambitious, but Affected, to some ex.
tent, by the prevailing haste to be rich.
His birth, however, had been humbles
he had, in fact, begun life as a newsboy;
SO his suit for the hand of the staid old
merchants daughter did seem pre-
sumptuous. The one exception men,
toned was looking at the matter from
the standpoint of love, which knows no
presumption. Best of all, Annie herself
did not think it presumptuous, and would
not let james say so. He had long g
told her his love, and she had blush
lngly confessed her JOY and her recipro-
cation. IT. is needless to tell how it be-
gan, for it is the old, old story. In a
word, though, it sprang from a dinaer
her father had given to his clerks, at
which she had presided with a grace and
charm irresistible to the young man.
Now the only thing between him and
happiness was the fathers consent.
"When will you ask him, James9" she
inquired, aa they sat III her parlor con.
sidering the subject.
Her manne and look as she asked
him brought to his face a look of de.
termination which instantly called adj
miration to her own.
~ will ask him now," he said de-
cisively. lis he in2"
.sYes, he is reading in the library. Gc
in to him, an OH James, how anxiously
/ shall watt
It was no easy matter to approach the
matter-of-fact merchant, whose freedom
of speaking his mind was well known
even upon q question of business, but
upon this particular subject he was for.
midabte, sitting by a table peacefully
reading the evening paper; his thoughts
leagues away from such an uncommon.
place affair as love.
He look ed up annoyed as Harvey went
10, dropping the paper and revealing his
strong face and his steady eyes fixed in
quiringly upon him.
The young lover was tempted to
change his errand to one of a business
nature, but a thought of Armies disap.
pointment decided him, and he said.
taking the chair indicated by the old
gentleman:
.Mr. Kirkland, I have come 10 ask you
for Annie.n
The steady eyes grew even steadier,
the strong face stronger, and the precise
lips were drawn in a moment before he
said:
VERY well, VIC will have a plain, free
talk over the matter. Put yourself at
ease, as if we were discussing a business
question. What do you want my daugh.
ter for2n
tFor my wife,
"Um, your wife. Do you need i
wife2'
81 need her, Mr.. Kirland.n
"Leave personalities out, MI. Harvey.
We will discuss it as we would a business
project
ION that basis, then, I think it is 8
good business policy for a man to marry
when he reaches the proper age, and ]
have reached it,
nae ls, you think you have reached
i. These proper ages for marrying vary,
they nota That is, every man when
marries thinks he has reached the
proper age
THAT may be So
$50, then, as a matter Of pure bust
pess policy, you think it is q wise move
marry"
80 far as love can Be reduced to
principles, | answer yes"
us Annie dissatisfied herea''
ION, no!a
Can you give her a better nomes"
No, ! cannot expect that
why take her away, then21
aWell, sir, love has business PRINCIPLES
Of 1ts own; and d of them ID for Young
people to leave the old home and start
III themselves, to be conteated with
heir lot, and to hope and work together
Ior the future.
"What are your prospectsae
Harvey paused d few thoughtful mo.
nents, then quickly responded:
aYou probably know that better than
do, Mr.. Kirland.n
The old gentleman could not quite
revent bis face showing the expression