The Globe-republican., 1893-01-06

ana all COW onl0nc06. linen, again, II
you would have liked to come here to
spend your honeymoon, would have
vacated the place for a month, and let
you have it all to yourselves.
For the accommodations I should
have offered you should have charged
You no more than what your living
would cost me. Certainly not over 81
week each. For the rent of my studio,
I should have asked you one landscape
painting every year"
/ was most cheerfully impressed by
the prospect thus laid before me.
My dear sir, exclaimed, you are
generous, indeed. Will you make me
the same offer If bring some other lady
here as my wife?"
NO, sir" cried the Ma; or. striking his
knee with his broad hand: mo. sir, 1
will not. know all about Miss Weldon,
and have formed great fancy for her.
will run no risk with outside or un-
known women"
So saying he rose abruptly to his feet,
walked to window, raised the shade
and looked out into the night re-
NAMED gazing into the cheerful fire.
The enthusiasm of this man had had a
powerful effect upon me. 1 was actu-
ally thinking what a delightful thing it
would be to marry Miss Weldon.
1t was not the first time that this
thought had come into my mind, but it
had always been promptly dispelled. As
l told my host, was not a marrying
man-at least l considered that my
financial circumstances gave me no
right to be one. But now the state of
affairs seemed to be entirely changed.
So far as pecuniary circumstances were
concerned, there was no reason why 1
should not be married tomorrow, and
the perception Of this fact set me in q
glow. The Major now returned to the
fire.
"Hello!' he cried; your face looks as
II you were getting converted"
1t may be that I am" said; you
are powerful preacher"
He stepped quickly toward me and
clapped his hands upon my shoulder.
Now, he said, you are on the right
road. Don't hesitate, don't look ~ the
right or the left, don't stop to consider,
don't reason, but 60 straight ahead and
ask that young woman to be your wife.
The fact that you are beginning to feel
converted shows that you want her, and
indeed should have a very small Opin-
ion Of you if you didn't want her. Ask
her tomorrow morning: ask her In this
house before you go into the crowd Of
Delivers, where you will have no
chance at all. I'll see to it that you
have every chance here"
Major, said !, rising. Il have the
greatest mind in the world to do it.
You have put before me opportunities
which did not suppose to exist. You
have stirred up feelings in me that
thought were long ago conquered and
Quieted: you have
Now, my dear boy" interrupted the
Major, don't say another word. Go to
your room while you are in this mind,
go to bed and 60 to sleep. Don't con-
slider this or that or any other thing.
Keep your mind on the one fact that you
are going to propose to Miss Weldon in
the morning. Above all, don't think
about me. Don't imagine that perhaps
/ am not going to suit your fancies. I
will give you my word that il l don't
suit, or can't make myself suit, I'll clear
out. I'll take the risk of all that.
Very good" said l. I'll 20 to my
room, for it is past country bedtime. and
I'll keep my mind on the subject you
have brought up before me. But what
Of that regents punch you were going to
brew?'
Not . drop. sir. not q drop" ex-
claimed the Major. when men want
cheering up. and have nothing to do
afterward, glass Of punch on winter
night Is q very good thing. but In .
case like this We want clear heads.
Anybody can determine to marry al
most anybody II he drinks enough
punch. When ] set out to drive . pair
OF horses IN . storm or on . cold, chilly
night never touch . drop Of spirits. no
matter how much may feel that 1eed
warming up. At such times I want to
be shsrpened. not comforted. But when
/ get safely home mix myself glass
Of something hot. Making up your
mind at this time is much more impor-
tant than driving any sort Of horses in
any kind Of weather. The punch can
wait until tomorrow, and II things turn
out all right I'll brew something out Of
the common, I assure you
In my bedroom that night gave no
timegto elaboration. Before I bade the