St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-30
WHICH DID SHE MARRY?

Thomas Nelson Page III Harpers' Monthly.
Once upon a time there was lady
who was young, beautiful, accomplished
and very rich. She was also very
clever.
But her most striking Characteristic
was that she was every atom woman.
She had three lovers who had been col
lege cronies. She always spoke of them
as her friends"
There was fourth gentleman whom
she knew, but by no means intimately,
who was friend of the other three.
One of the three friends was tall,
handsome, athletic, had languishing
eyes, long mustache and fine figure;
one was clever, almost brilliant. and
what some women call 'intellectual;"
the third was rich, good-looking and
"SucceSsful."
All these were considered good catches
by mammas who had marriageable
daughters, and were popular.
The fourth gentleman was a Silent
man, who kept his own counsel, went
his own gait, and was thought to be in
dependent in his fortune as he was
known to be in his views.
After a season, in which the young
lady had been greatly and generally adj
mired, each of the three friends, having
observed the growing attachment OF the
other two, discovered that he was in
love with her; each leased the others
about her to sound them; each denied
the charge, hated the others warmly for
the time, and each decided to get ahead
of his friends.
All three made the fourth gentleman
his confident.
The society beau was the first to de-
clare himself. He had had the best OPP
portunities; had danced with the lady
all winter: had the finest figure; had
been the best dressed man in the set;
had driven a good team and had talked
easily of BroWning's poems and OF Kip
line's stories.
The occasion which presented itself to
him was suspicious. it was spring
afternoon in the grounds of beautiful
country place, where all entertainment
was beng given by mutual friend.
The spot was secluded; the air was
balmy; the flowers were dazzling; the
birds sang.
He was arrayed faultlessly, and he
and the lady were alone. He naturally
began to talk love to her, and was about
to reach the point where his voice
should grow deep and his look intense.
They were at the end OF a long flower
bed blue with pansies, which just
matched her eyes. He stopped and
plucked one. AS he rose, she said:
"a race to the other end-you that
side. this" and dashed Off:
She ran like q deer. He mad record,
and could easily have beaten her, but as
they approached the other end he saw
that her path divided there. One fork
ran off from him, the other turned into
his.
1t flashed on him in a second; he
would let her run into his arms. He
Wanted to let her choose. She chose,
and when they returned to the house he
had her answer. He resolved to say
nothing OF 1t.
Just afterward the second gentleman
found his opportunity. 1t was after the
intellectual entertainment. He had
easily outshone all others. He took her
them; beautiful pictures were on the
walls; the light Tell, tempered to the
softest glow. He recognized his Oppor-
tunity. ..
lie felt his Intellect strong within
him. lie approached her skillfully; he
limited at the delights of the union of
two minds perfectly attuned; he illus.
trated aptly by reference to the har-
mony lust heard and to numerous in
stances in literature.
He talked of the charm of culture;
spoke confidently of his preferment;
suggested. without appearing to do so,
his fortunate advantages over others.
and referred with some contempt to
commonplace men like the fourth gen.
tleman.
Her eve kindled; her form trembled;
he felt his influence over her. He re-
peated a poem he had written her. 1t
was good enough to have been published
in a magazine. Her face gOWed.
He glanced up, caught her eyes and
held his hand ready to receive her. She
lifted her hand, looked into his eyes,
and he had his answer. They strOlled
back, and he determined to keep it all a
secret.
Passing. they happened upon the
| third gentleman, who spoke to her;
| and No. 2 a moment later left her with
| him.
He led the way into little apartment
| Just by. 1t seemed to have escaped the
notice of the guests. 1t was sumptu-
ously fitted up for tete-a-tete. Wealth
and taste had combined to make it per-
| feet. She exclaimed with pleasure at
its beauty.
After handing her chair as luxurious
as art could make it the gentleman be-
| gan. He told of his home, of his enter
prise, of his success, of his wealth. 1t
had doubled year after year. 1t was
hers. He laid before her his plans.
They were large enough to be bewilder-
ing.
She would be the richest woman in
her acquaintance. She could be an
angel with 1t. With mantling cheek
and glowing face she bent toward him.
ut is yours" he said, ''all yours.
You will be worth"
He paused, then stated the sum. She
leaned toward him with an earnest
| gesture, her voice trembling. He had
his answer. AS they passed out through
the corridor they met the fourth gentle
| man.
He did not speak. He stood aside to
let them pass. He glanced at her lover,
but if ne had looked at her she did not
see him. He was evidently leaving.
Are you going?" she said, casually,
as she passed.
Eyes"
us it late?"
81 do not know"
She paused, and her lover politely
passed on.
why are you going, them"
because / wish to CO."
'Will you take me to my chaperon?
"With pleasure"
"With pIeaSure?"
"With great pleasure"
aTrTit