Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-12-19

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How absurd you are" answered
Mrs. Hargraves impatiently. What
on earth could the lad say? 1t would
be horribly ill-bred of him if he were
to boast of his wealth TO US, am
very happy to say that he seems de-
cidedly epris on Maud, II will really
be very good match for her, although
with her beauty l am sure she could
marry a title. But, after all, a title
is not much use unless one has plenty
of money with it."
And do you think that Maud cares
for him." asked the unsophiSticated
man, nervously.
MIR. Hargraves," was the response,
given in a severe tone, you surely do
not think that our daughter is so ILL
bred as to bestow her affections upon
any one before they were asked for,
but have no doubt that if Ted should
propose, she would accept him"
MI. Hargraves collapsed and the dis
cussion was ended.
Bessie watched the grow. of this
love affair with the liveliest interest.
To her simple warm heart il was .
perfect ideal, in her eyes Maud was
the most fortunate Of girls, for could
any female heart, she reasoned. resist
the charm OF the sturdy manliness and
unaffected kiudlinoss of the young
colonial She never thought OF his
wealth, nor Of the great position he
could give his wife, for the little
woman did not belong to the school
who measure their affection by the
length of the recipients banking ac-
count. She was always sweet and al
ways sympathetic, and would listen
for any length Of time to Ted's rhapso-
dies over his lady love. If she were
bored, she never showed 1t, and if the
little lonely heart ached sorely some
times, there was no trace of it on the
cheerful comely face. Indeed, her
time was too fully occupied for her to
indulge in unwholesome sentiment.
The house was full of visitors, the
children were home for their holidays,
one or two of the young lady visitors
had brought no maids with them, so
that Maud's maid had to do duty-all
this caused our heroine to be unusu-
ally busy, even for her. From early
morning till late at night she was on
the 60 With the exception of her
daily constitutional she seemed to have
no breathing time and for once she
was inwardly pleased at her many and
manifold duties, for she found out, rs
thousands of others have done, that
the best panacea for heart troubles is
hard work.
One afternoon Bessie was busy sew
ing, when Maud paid her one of her
rare visits.
"Oh, dear, how tired am" she
yawned YEARLY, as she threw herself
on a seat. You will have that little
white dinner dress ready for me to-
night won't you, dear?"
certainly; but | assure you, Maud,
| shall not be sorry when Felice is
able to wait upon you a little"
I'm sure you will not" said Maud,
with her selfish goodnature 1T has
really been very hard upon you. You
have worked like perfect little Briton
lately. Never mind, when | marry
Ted, you shall have week or two
quiet at my house
ooh, may congratulate your" cried
Bessie, her face pink with excitement.
Are you really engaged to him. Oh,
| am so, so glad, you are a lucky girl,
for | think that Ted is a perfectly
splendid fellow. He is so true and
handsome AMI"
Not so fast" interrupted Maud, Il
am not engaged yet, but ! know that
he will ask me directly | give him an
opportunity, for without vanity it IS
easy to see he is head over ears in love
with me-"
And of course you love him? -
queried Bessie, onXiously.
We'll, he's all right" answered
Maud carelessly, but | don't pretend
to feel any violent affection for him
He's very wealthy and fairly gentle,
manly, and with his money and my
beauty, we can just take the position
that | long for in society, for he is 50
infatuated that | am sure he could
deny me nothing"
I'm short" responded Bessie, indig-
nantly, you would take all and give
nothing. His affection, the love of his
manly heart counts for nothing in your
eyes, next to the miserable money that
he has"
my child. don't get excited. ! as
sure you that when Ted proposes |
shall answer him Yes l shall make
him a very good wife and he will be
inoru.natcly proud and fond OF me
and he is too unsophisticated TO dream
that his wealth had anything to do
with my acceptance of him"
Then if he were poor, you would
not marry him." asked Bessie.
My dear child, do you think ] am
fit for poor mans wife? oh, no, Ted
is all very well in his way and his
way is the giIded way, but without the
filthy lucre ] am afraid he would be