Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-06-08
A Mans Choice.

"Janet's fortune! How much i,
it, mother ?" said Ronald Mitchell
as he carefully measured the anchovy
for his salmon.
Nothing less than the who'll,
Cross. Me- Loot estate and SlO.OO(
good money in the Bank of Scot
land"
"Too little. I could not sell my
self so cheap"
"But there is the lassie for We
she is not bad looking, and she is /.
careful housewife and a good Christ
ian."
DOUBTLESS, mother, she is better
than she's bonnie but I know {
girl worth ever so much more thar
Janet Mcdonald"
"That will be BaiIie Johnson's
daughter ~
"You do me too much honor
do not aspire to a woman six foot
high, especially when her temper is
of equal proportions"
"Well, Isabelle has bad temper
but Janet is different; she has,
"No heart"
"She has plenty OF money"
Sand no intellect"
"But she has interest enough to
send you to Parliament"
do Y afht~ y-dfhner, amt YOU are nI
ing away my appetite"
And Ronald drew the moor. cock
toward him and helped himself lib
orally.
There was a few minutes silence
which did not deceive Ronald ht
| knew it was the lull before the
storm. His mothers attitude of in
difference and listlessness was all as
sumed ; he was perfectly familiar
with it, and knew what spirit il
hid.
She was only hesitating now tt
open the subject which lay neares
her heart. While she was hesitat
ing, a servant brought in card ant
gave it to her.
at is Wylie, Ronald" she said
"you had better 60 and see him."
"Why so, mother? l know moth
ing about the property. You ant
he have always managed it. Besides
I have an engagement at half.pas
seven"
"But something must be done
Every year the rents are decreasing
Ny income will soon be at starva
ton point"
Ronald looked up and smile
creduously.
sob, yes. 1 keep up an appear
ance of course, and / shall always b
able to do that, for am not one {
the foolish women who spend 8
they go. / have laid a little by t
help the future but what is to b.
come of your"
"Heigh.ho! 1 have a good ange
I suppose"
"a good wife would be more
the purpose, and if you would onl
marry Janet Mcdonald, she woul
bring you fine estate ! besides, 81
is a prudent lassie and would hel
you to keep the gear we'll together
"How do I know that Janet woul
have me z"
81 have already spoken to her."
at was throwing words ava,
mother. If there is anything else
can please you in, l shall be willir
and obedient, but | cannot cast N
life away-not for gold, at least"
"Yet you are going to do it for
pretty face"
"You are mistaken. have n
price, l suppose, but neither lar
: nor beauty are able to buy me-"
1.-THE conceit of men is wonderfr
1t passes comprehension of wome
Where are you going this evening
"To Mrs. Sorley's."
: ITO see Eva. Well, Ronald, I
member, if you decline to acce
Janet Mcdonald as your wife, 1 al
, decline to receive Eva Sorley as n
' daughter. 1 suppose the right
0 rejection is left to me as we'll
o YOU"
T sNot equally, mother. You ca
Z not make Janet my wife; but I,
). marrying Eva, can make her 70
: daughter"
, 81 deny it, for in such case j
t would be no longer my son. Go
g evening, sir.'
"Mrs. Mitchell Victrix as usus
said Ronald, laughing softly to hi
self. "Here is a turn in affairs,