Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-30
TRIALS.

81 certainly will try the experiment"
euoth / 10 myself.
And then l covertly looked in the
glass, SO as better TO calculate my
chances matrimonial.
IL wasn't very satisfactory survey.
/ am not Il handsome man. But there's
one advantage possess that is worth all
the beauty in acknowledgements This
tledown. ESQ.,. president OF the Thistle
down Petroleum company. with the
handsomest yacht in the bay and money
enough to freight it with golden cargo!
uth-beauty-what do they weigh in
the balance against Torquatus Thistle
down?
And l patted my pockets with
chuckle that sounded like the chink Of
doubloons!
I'm do it," exclaimed aloud.
Bruce Hardenbrook glanced sleepily
MP from his armchair in the bay win
dow and took his cigar out Of his mouth.
Bruce belongs to our club-more's tie
pity-a supercilious puppy that looks
down on a fellow from the height of his
six feet two, as if nobody under that size
had any business to exist.
What's that you're going to do,
Thistledown" asked Bruce.
ITO be married" added slowly and
distinctly. Ito Miss Fanny Gordon"
Bruce started. had known very we'll
that that would disturb his serene self
possession. All the world was quite
aware that he was dangling after pretty
Fanny Gordon-as if cientless young
lawyer had any right to aspire to the
hand of the loveliest girl in New York!
"Are you engaged to her, Mr.. Thistle
DOWN. he asked.
"No-not exactly engaged-that is, not
as yet, but mean to be. shall consult
Mr.. Gordon this very afternoon-an old
friend of mine, Job Gordon. He'll refuse
me nothing"
Bruce Hardenbrook made no reply.
He resumed his newspaper and tried to
look indifferent, with remarkably bad
success.
So put on my hat and strolled down
to honest Job Gordon's counting room.
''Thistledown, how dye dor he cor
daily said "What can do for you to-
day." -
IA great deal, Mr.. Gordon, Irespond-
ed. Il am contemplating matrimony. l
am thinking of the hymeneal bonds, sir.
and-and-I would like tho weight of
your influence with your daughter
Fanny l adore Fanny, sir-I worship
her-and don't mind telling you that it
is within her option at this moment to
become Mrs. Torquatus Thistledown"
Mr.. Gordon wTung my hand heartily.
"Torcuatus." he CALCULATED breath
lessly, you're a trump. My daughter,
Mrs. Petroleum Company-no, don't
mean that ezactly-but-but only hope
you aren't too later
TOO late" gasped, making clutch
at my yellow silk pocket handkerchief
and wiping the drops away from the
bald spot on the crown of my head.
There was young fellow here this
very morning." went on Mr.. Gordon.
rump]ing his hair with one hand in a
distracted manner, 'npon the self same
business, and"-
Not Bruce Hardenbrook?
eyes, Bruce Hardenbrook-the very
person-and l told him toll gave him
my sanction-and I've just sent up a
note to Fanny desiring her to have no
hesitation in promptly accepting the gen.
tleman who would propose to her this
| afternoon"
/ gave feeble gasp and rubbed my
nose.
But" added the old gentleman. with
I i,,or al didn't vponfinv,
any names. thank goodness, and l don't
see, upon my word, why the note
shouldn't answer for you just as well as
for Bruce Hardenbrook, if you only get
there little ahead of him"
Jumped up and made grasp at my
hat.
Couldn't-couldn't you go with mey'
'Impossible-I have two most i'm
Iortant appointments, but you won't
need me-the note pavcs the way. Good
evening. Torqustus, wish you all pos
sihle success"
As | hailed the nearest omnibus and
leaped in. the iron tongue of old Trinity
tolled @ in deep bass monosyllables.
Perhaps-perhaps might yet be in time
perhaps Bruce Harienbrook might he
Just such fool as to DO idling away the
precious moments in that big easy chair
at the clubrooms. 1t was barely posi-
bic, and my heart gave bound at the
idea
Fanny was at home. for as ] rang the
bell saw the hutter of her blue muslin
dress from the French windows that
opened upon the balcony-and the nexi
moment she admitted me herself-a tall
beautiful girl. with bright brown hsii
brushed away from a low white fore
head. and eyes like shady wells of light.
Dear me. Mr. Thistlodown, is il
really youy she exclaimed coquettishly
adjusting a rose in her hair "Excuss
my opening the door. the servants ar
gone TO Michael Somebody's wake and
I'm all alone"
Not entirely alone. for a monitor
hat hung on the hall stand - dark
SPECIFICS witness, Ny heart stood still
At the same moment ] caught glimps'
cf nv face In The oval mirror above i
couldn't have been redder OF more shin
ing il it had been oiled mahogany How
ever, ! gave i nervous dab OF I've
with my poke Handkerchief and bolGlJ
entered the parloT
just as ] expected. Bruce Harde7.
brook was there. but then. judging L.
F his appearance, he had only isst arrived
Now was my time. But how WIS fel
low 70 make love with Bruce Harden
brooks cold. critical eyes fan on him
and the amused curve of his lip varyinl
At every word I spokes
IL was thinking Of asking You
Fanny