The National tribune., 1894-01-04

| "It's wonder you don't marry" said Gil
dersleeve to Howard. "A young man who ha
| so many girl acguaintances ought 10 have nt
difficulty in finding one to accept him"
Finding one to accept me J" replied How
| ard, with some feeling. Why, my dear sir
! there isn't girl in my set that wouldn't jump
/ at the chance to marry me-"
| "NOnsense!"
"It's true as gospel" asserted Howard, who
was prone to think most highly of himself
! Now, Just at this present time five OF the
incest girls know in love with me, and
! I'd be perfectly willing to marry one of them
| if i could decide which would make the best
| wife"
Who are they?S
! "Well, / don't mind telling -?u, but, o.
| course, it will go no further?"
Certainly not"
"Well, then, there is Mildred Chaffey
Blanche Whitley. Lottie Robertson, Nellie Tay-
lor. and Helen Woodbine. What do you say tc
| that list?"
"Yon think you can take your pick Of
them?"
Il do. know it."
-"Then what have to say is 'Rats!'"
"Well. sir, / can and l am going to prove
it. too"
"H0w?"
81 am going to tell each of them. without
any beating around the bush that | adm re
them all, and have adopted plan to decido
which of them l viii honor with proposal OF
marriage"
whats your test?"
"Ill invite them all to send me Ch rstmas
present, and the one who sends present show
ing the most taste and displaying the greatest
good sense shall he the future Mrs. Howard"
lyon are going to tell them this. are you?"
lam"
you're crazy"
"Nothing Of the kind. lou shall be at my
rooms on Christmas day and see the presents
opened. Will you Gomez"
Yes, I'll come; but there won't be any
presents
Howard was as good as his word He sent to
each OF the girls named a note, stating his de-
sire to marry, and inviting her to enter the
contest under the conditions proposed. There
was good deal of surprise in five households
when the competitive matrmonialEexam
tion instituted by Mr.. Howard became known,
and the girls, who were all friends. held a con-
suitatiOn on this unprecedented procedure of q
young man in n.o1ern society. with the result
that agreement was reached 10 take kindly
to his proposal. Little notes of acceptance
found their way 10 Mr. Howard, and that self
important young man awaited Christmas day
with good deal OF impatieuce.
It came at last, however, and with it Mr.
Gildersleeve
'Auy presents yet from the grls?" asked
the latter.
"No; hut don't be alarmed. They'll come"
Howard had scarcely done Speaking when
the doorhell rang and the maid brought neat
brown paper parcel into the room.
"Pll open IT," said Gildersleeve.
mo; we'll wait till the rest come," Howard
answered
They hadn't long to wait. In half an hour
the other four had arrived
Now. you unbeliever." said Howard. proud
ly, the presents you SAID would not come are
here. 1t is as l told you. ] marry any or
the girls named. In fact, they are competing
for the honor of my hand. You may open the
frs, package"
Gldersleeve said hing, but cut the string.
After unroiling several sheets of tissue paper
be found the present, and 1t accompanied
by this note, which he read aloud:
MY DEAR Mr.. HOWARD: In reply to your
invitation beg 10 send you, with the compli-
ments of the season, cap and some bells
think them very suitable present for you /
must beg TO withdraw from the matrimonial
contest, which you so kindly proposed how
ever, as ! to be married ln a month to
Charlie Sutherland. Yours. very truly,
NELLIE TAyLoR."
"Well! Such impertinence! !" gasped How
ard. See what the next says"
1t vas long. thin package, which. when
opened, revealed fish horn. This note ac.
companied IL:
"MR. HOWARD
DEAR SIR: send you, in accordance with
your request for a suitable present, q nice ond
tin horn for you to blow. as | am convinced
that you must have nearly woruout your own,
you have blown it SO much. Yonrs, sincerely,
" HELEN WooDBINE."
"P ST. am not candidate for matrimonial
honors."
Neither young man made any comment on
this note, but Gilderseeve. with a grim pro-
ceeded 10 open the next package
1T has Miss Cbatiey's card" said Glider
sleeve. "and this mitten. It's a left. hand
mitten, too"
Howard WAS gpeecblcss, and GiIderslceve
took up another bundle. 1t was large, and
looked like framed picture but when the
cover was removed it proved TO be neatly en-
crossed diDlouia, setting forth that Mr. Howard
was entitled to the distinguished degree of
ASS.
With the compliments of Lottie Robertson"
read Gildersleeve, from a card in one OF the
corners.
There's only one more" said the cheerful
friend, as he took off another string What
earth can it be? 1t looks something like q
penwiper. Here's q note" And he read:
my DEAR Mr.. Howard: ! conId not think
Of anything to send more suitable than the ac-
companying soft pad. 1t is intended to tio on
your head. the pad resting on yonr bump Of
seif-estccm. am afraid that portion of your
cran'um has been overworked and tho applica.
ton which | suggest will have restfuI and
soothing effect. While i am convinced that
the merits of this gift will easily carry "a The
prize, must. nevertheless, withdraw froHi the
race, as have promised TO marryia reaiarpan.
] wish you could know him. His name is
Frank Gildersleeve. Yours. faithfully,
BLANCHE Whitley"
"You? ?" gasped Howard
"Yes," replied that young man., ~humbIy.
:" You mustn't be cross. though, Howard.
only took one OF the Ave. Now, which ono of
the rest will you have ?"- Vogue
No Fear of Drought.