The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-10-19

How 1t Was Settled for Richard
and Marina.

"What is your honest opinion about
love-
about love? Why--but you are not
thinking Of proposing, are your
'Not yet"
Then they both burst into .aughter
for the young man, AS he made that
reference To proposing, shifted his po-
sition away from his companion with
an air 81 alarm; the result being that
me little table on which he was seated
,opplcd over and he une xpectedly
found a seat on the grass instead.
Miss Mulgrove," said he. when
their mirth had subsidized, and he was
beginning TO gather up the materials
ont Of which he had been constructing
\ TOY Yacht for her small brother,
"you observe that chance has supplied
an appropriate answer: the very men
ton of love upsets me-"
But it has brought you to your
knees as well
Il beg your pardon; 1t is duty that
has brought me TO my knees, not love.
Ihavc promised Tommy that his boat
shall he finished this morning. and
now can't find the rudder-bother
the thing
There it is" exclaimed Tommy's
sister, darting from her seat, and pick
in.r the missing article from out "a long
tuft II grass.
When order was restored once more,
and they had resumed their tasks-he
working at the little vessel with all n
sailors cunning, She making for it the
sails that he had planned-there was
silence between them for some min
utc~
At last Walton spoke in meditative
fashion. showing that his mind had
been bordering her unexpected ques-
ton:
II am inclined to think that love.
nowadays, is too often unreal; IL has
lost its simplicity and Spontaneous
ness. because so much is made of il in
fiction.
That is exactly what have felt
myself" said Marina Mulgrovc, quick
IT, And think we women are
chiefly 10 blame. We all know. in our
hearts. that modern civilization
doesn't admit Of much romance in real
life. and yet we are not bit satisfied
unless men make love TO us in high
IL sentimental way. II is delightful
If papa and mamma object; we get an
opportunity to pose like the heroine OF
three Volumes and it is delightful. too.
if the dear man who offers his heart
and wants ours seems in n fearful
state of agony while we are thinking
whether the exchange Is worth max
ing: and the worst of all is. there is no
honorable retreat for either of the en-
gagged ones. even il they find. on bet
ter acquaintance. that they don't like
each other well enough To get mar
rled No: the novelist has decided
that true love is eternal. and there
fore the poor wrctches submit to
their Fate The girl especially is afraid
% return her engagement ring. be-
cause She has read SO much about the
frightiul effect Of jilting a man. He
was the pink Of perfection yesterday:
tomorrow. il she says she has changed
her mind. and does not care to get
married he begins life anew as a
scoundrel. or is hopeless drunkard in
six months time"
When instead Of anything of the
sort happening, the poor fellow would
jump for JOY To get his discharge"
said Walton. But that novelist has
decided for him that the girl must
necessarily break her heart, or end her
days as miserable spinster; SO he
also is afraid to speak his mind"
And SO they get married and lead .
cat and-dog life" said Marina, PEN
sively.
" But how is this state of things to
be altered. Miss Mulgrovc? You have
thought so much about the problems OF
modern society. Is there any way OF
making marriage safer transaction
for both parties? You see. we can't
abolish love. but the calamity of mar
riage might be--might be-"
"Avoided?" inquired Marina. calmly.
No; we must recognize the incvita-
Die. fear; but something might be
lone, surely. to moderate it's evils"
Well what should you say TO a
seven or ten years lease instead OF
The present lifelong contract?"
Let me see. how would that work?''
said the young sailor musingly. IL
marry you-don't be alarmed; the case
Is purely hypothetical and at the end
or seven years you have had enough Of
me But although you may then be
giad Of Your liberty, your chances in
The matrimonial market cannot be,
seven years hence. as good as they are
now That Is difficulty, isn't it?"
Yes. sir; and allow me to say that
your chances will not be any better
'han mine, IL can help it,"
Miss Mulgrovc. you are feminine,
and not philosophic." interrupted Wal
ton. with severity.
Pardon me; am merely practical.
Al the end Of those seven years you
VIII certainty try to marry again; and
me next lady Of your choice will nat.
urally come to me for references"
that will be awkward. A
genuine widower is snapped up by the
sex without inquiries -- out Of sheer
sympathy-but this widower, by ar.
rangement must needs be armed with
nrst-class testimonials from his prcvi
Gus partner"
VI course" said she with mischiev'
Gus smile.