Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-08-11
FAINT HEARTED WO0INC.
BY HOWARD NJ. HOKE.

and with Just touch Of humor, asked
'Why?:
well, You know I've been paying he,
some entiou'-
And before committing yourself you
wish to get the opilion ofyour friends.
You state it bluntly, aunt, but | sup
pose that Is about the truth
Then, Cecil. I cannot give you my
opinion
Cecil withdrew. AS may be inferred
he was an ipdecisive fellow, and, o!
course, was not now satisfied. Praise
of Bessie from Aunt Mildred would
have decided him. But he was left ex.
actly as before, except that he could
draw two opposing inferences. First,
that if his aunt had not favored his suit
she would have advised against it sec.
ond, that her refusal to give al opinion
meant that she opposed it.
Such men us he adopt tests, but he
had not ingenuity to invent one. The
secret Of such doubt is usually nigh
selfesteem, which con jures an Ideal
worthy CT fafscton Oddly enough the
luminous point in Ceci|s ideal was
fidelity. Bessie's social position was
level with his, hut would she be true
Wasn't she a coquette?
Tom Plotton was a down city com
mission merchant; one of those men
who forge ahead on the voyage Of life,
and by the twin propellors, energy and
determination, reach port of CONNER
cial success. Cecil and he had been
college mates, hnt theil late acquaint-
ance had only been casual, confined to
chance meetings at social gatherings.
An outspoken man, but withal thor
ough gallant, acquainted with all the
marriageable ladies worth knowing. he
was Just the man to render the opinion
Cecil craved.
He was found in his glass lnclosed
office, millenshly white from flour he
had been examining before buying.
'Tom began Cecil, after greetings. 4
came to get your candid opinion Of Bes
sic Fallingtou., -,
PottYn looked fool at him, but re-
piled
Well, it depends on what the opinion
is based. As Il commission merchant,
say, she'd be prime failure us IL sea
captain ditto and AS
AS q wife, for Instance
That depends on the man who gets
her..
We'll, for me, say:
Ohio" exclaimed Plotton, running
his finger through some coffee grains in
il tin box, you're IN love with her, are
you?'
Frankly, yes
And before you put yourself in dan.
ger OF making II matrimonial blunder,
you're around getting opinions,
bluntly, yes. The same as
you look into Brad1sreets before selling
to stranger.
The strangers credit is doubtful
when | do
'Well?' =
You doubt Bessie Fallington:
Good gracious, noo
'Then what do you want an opinion
o. her for? If you don't doubt her
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 a
coffee grain. or shouldn't be. If you
love her, you'll pitch in and moye
heaven and earth to get her.
But | ask your opinion, neverthe-
less.
Whether it cuts or not =
Yes
Give her up
why 2
First, if you doubt her, she won't
suit you
4 don't grant that
Second, she's pronounced coquette;
wants wealth in husband is wIllful
demands continual petting: adm:res
men of distinction, men who can cut Il
dash, and especially men of decision,
but will quarrel with HIM if her way is
crossed doesn' know a saucepan from
a griddle, &c., &c.. full of faults-but
pretty AS spring morning.
Graham rose pettishlY.
You don't believe my opinion, see.
Very good ; It's one sign you love this
girl. Of course you're invited to her
progressive euchre party next week.
60 and criticise her-if you can In
sight of her beatty. Then We'll meet
and compare notes