Arizona republican., 1893-01-13
THE LUCKY MAN.

Old Mrs, Graham smiled over her gold spectacles at her nephew Cecil, and, with just touch of humor, asked: "Whyy"
 "Well, you know I've been paying her some attention"--
 "And before committing yourself you wish to get the opinions of your friends. You state it bluntly, aunt, but sup pose that is about the truth"
 "Then, Cecil, ] cannot give you my opinion"
 Cecil withdrew As may be inferred he was an indecisive fellow, and of course was not now satisfied. Praise of Bessie from Aunt Mildred would have decided him. But he was left exactly as before, except that he could draw the opposite inferences. First, that if his aunt had not favored his suit she would have advised against it; second, that her refusal to give an opinion meant that she opposed it.
 Such men as he adopt tests, but he had not ingenuity to invent one. The secret of such doubt is usually self es- teem, which conjures an ideal worthy of affection. Oddly enough the lumi- nous point in Cecil's ideal was fidelity. Bessie's social position was level with his, but would she be true? Wasn't she coquette?
 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 deter imitation, reach a 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 out spoken man, but withal thorough gal lant, acquainted with all the marriage able ladies worth knowing, he was just the man to render the opinion Cecil craved.
 He was found in his glass inclosed office, millerishly white from flour he had been examining before buying. "Tom," began Cecil, after greetings, "I came to get your candid opinion of Bessie Fallington."
 Plotton looked "fool" at him but re- piled:
 Well, it depends on what the opinion is based AS commission merchant, say, she'd be a prime failure; as sea captain, ditto; and as"--
 "As a wife, for instance"
 "i'Sat depends on the man who gets her"
 well, for me, sayY
 "Oho!" exclaimed Plotton, running his finger through some coffee grains in tin box, you're in love with her, are youT' Frankly, yes"
 And before you put yourself in dan ger of making matrimonial blunder you're around getting opinions"
 "Well-bluntly, yes. The same as you look into Bradstreet's before selling to stranger"
 "The strangers credi. is doubtful when do,"
 "Welly"
 You doubt Bessie Fallingtony' "'Good gracious, no!'
 "Then what do you want an opinion of 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. Ifyou love her you'll pitch in and move heaven and earth to get her"
 ''But ask your opinion, nevertheless, ' "Whether it cuts or not"
 "Yes."
 "Give her up,"
 "Why?"
 First, if you doubt her, she wont suit you"
 "I don't grant that"
 Second, she's pronounced coquette wants wealth in husband; is willful demands continual betting; admire' men of distinction, men who can cut { dash and especially men of decision, bu will quarrel with him if her way i crossed; doesn't know a saucepan iron griddle, etc., full of faults-but brett. as a spring morning"
 Graham rose pettishly.
 "You don't believe my opinion, see Very good; it's one sign you love tn girl. Of course, you're invited to he progressive eucher party next week. G. and criticise her-if you can in sight O her beauty. Then we'll meet and com pare notes."
 Agreed Good morning"
 The next Tuesday evening foun Cecil in Bessie's fashionable home. H had exactly poised his mind, but tn first sight of her unbalanced it in he favor. She was rarely beautiful, an her welcome rang with genuine hos pitality. It seemed impossible to crit else her; good, true heart must | the center of such physical lovel ness, but doubt whispered, Wait an watch"
 Of guests, there were seven ladies an eight gentlemen. Bessie had, therefor' to choose her first partner, and Gee watched eagerly to see which this woul be. It was Alfred Donaldson Hughe who had lately won literary fame. Bess smiled brilliantly upon him as they toe seats at the ace table.
 "She's flirting with that fellow" mu Dua.I a, ,l,a Io11 ronr, fnY ,,1au