The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-06-07

Lord EordWell, OF Lunrsc, The
duke--I can't help it if his mother
doesn't like it, the boy must marry
some day. The bishop of Dorchester.
Gluckstein-I'll risk him. Colonel
Dingwall is nice looking fellow with
comfortable income, and he was
most epris with me at Goodwood.
Lord Arthur St. John I will certainly
write to-; I've not seen him for a year,
but | know he is at Brighton, and he
always said if ever I felt inclined to
change my mind he would only be too
pleased. Sir RodericlS Mcpherson and
BERTHE Shorthouse. Eight of them!
Fancy woman writing to eight men
to express her perfect willingness to
marry any one of them! The only
circumstance that prevents me expir-
ing with horror at my own temerity is
the fact that all of them have pro-
posed to me, and in their different
ways expressed a perfect readiness to
fall in with my views if ever I could
persuade myself to reconsider nv
decision. Well, my creditors have
done the persuading, and my decision
is that must marry rich man, and
that very Speedily
Yet all the time a curious hesitancv
mingled with her air of determinat ton.
Twice she laid her pen upon the paper
as though to add a ninth name to
those already written. The third
time her fingers traced the letter R,
but she scratched it through hastily.
81 think / must be mad. The idea
OF my offering to marry Reginald
Beresford. Reggie with whom 1 quar-
relied. Reggie with whom I played in
my baby days. Reggie to whom I
was engaged when 1 was still in short
froclIs before he was first sent to
India. I was married to Mr.. Venning
when he came back, and then-then
poor Reggie began to racket and
spend his money and ruin his health.
Yet he never reproached me with
spelling the best years of his life.
Heaven forgive me! I laughed at him
he was SO poor-for, though nv
heart ached for him, my head was too
light to remember anything but that
J. was young and pretty. 1t serves me
right that after all 1 am obliged to
marry some man hate, anyway. Now
for it!''
When the task was complete she
rang the bell, and sending for her
maid, told her to prepare for weeks
stay in the country.
"Who has called?"' Mrs. Venning
asked, as she entered her fiat on her
return from the country. A sheaf of
cards and a packet of letters were
handed her. The first she tossed
aside, the second demanded perusal.
''Now, wonder how many men I
shall find myself engaged to by the
time I've read all these"
She broke the seal of the first.
''Sir Roderick! SO glad to hear I'm
well-fears Scotland would scarcely
suit me-kind regards-how Scotch!
The bishop rejoices to see I am taking
more serious view of life. Has
| changed his mind about marrying and
thinks the clergy should be celibate.
Glucl1stein has looked up my husbands
will and considers that my readiness
to become his wife is actuated solely
by desire to possess his millions
Gracious! what else could the little
vulgarian think? Colonel Dingwan is
engaged to young girl-all blue eyes
and golden hair-going to be married
next week. How foolish he must have
felt when he read my letter. Well,
four OF them are out of the running."
A slight flush rose to Mrs. Venning's
cheeks as she opened the fifth letter,
which she quickly tore across and
across.
what a shameful letter to write. I
always did hate that horrid old duch-
ess! Umph! Lord Arthur St. Johns
valet writes for him. Says his master
has got softening of the brain. Berthe
Shorthouse informs me that he's ston 2
broke and has got to marry an Ameri-
can heiress; but will 1 dine with him
at the cafe Royal one night? There
are i've mistakes in spelling. Now for
Lord uFordwell-he always was a dear
old thing. What He would be de-
lighted, but his daughters won't hear
of his marrying again"
1OSC W uCE lccU.
''And to think that I should be re-
fused by eight men. By men who
vowed they loved me for myself,
would defy the fates to win me, would
wait for years for me. Oh! this hui
initiation is awful. l shall never face
myself in the glass again. I shall"
C"Lulu!'' said a voice behind her.
''Reggie! You?'
eyes; why not??"
''Where have you been, poor boy,
and what have you been doing?"
II have been at the cape, and 1
have been making my fortune. And
you?"
ooh, L"
II hear you are free?"
''Yes!''
''Going to marry again.
"Perhaps! Is that what you came
back from the cape to say?"
Eyes! Any chance for me, Lulu?"
'What will Won do if T saw nOon