Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-19

awake JHlHhluS Will lOHcSOluc soTt
of life a bachelors life was and how
much cOZicr and pleasanter n woman
could make Il mans life. even if she
hadn't more than half the chance.
After long time l slept and dream
ed dreams in which there were sum-
mer girls and other disturbing Gle
ments. and when / awoke in the morn
Ing. in response TO BaScom'S knock, l
was my old self again and laughed at
the very idea of woman Us a life COM
paniOn.
During Sunday | had several very
interesting talks with Mrs. Hilman,
and by night again | was worse than l
was the night before. and began Won
dering why it was that some men were
so much luckier than others, and also
whether there was much chance of Mr..
Hilman departing this life and being
laid to rest with his fathers. | knew
of number of pleasant churchyards
where / thought Mr.. Hilman might be
accommodated with quarters indefinite
ly, and | felt that l could attend his
funeral with much pleasure, though,
as rule, abhorred funerals.
"Well, old man." said Bascom, as we
took the train for town Monday morn
ing. Il hope you enjoyed yourself.
IL never had pleasanter outing in
my life | answered, with such sim
cerity that he actually blushed. land
you have my thanks in all their ampli-
tude.''
I'm glad you liked it, for more rea-
sons than one" and he smiled rather
CURLY.
"Oh. yes, l know" l said, with
laugh. You think that after my eX
perience of the last forty-eight hours
my views on the woman question will
undergo Il radical CHANGE"
He nodded and smiled at my pro-
fundity of observance.
''Fess up. now, Marston.' he said,
haven't your views changed some
what by what you have lived in for
even so short time:'
WELL" l replied. picking my way
carefully. II am willing to say that as
far as your household Is concerned the
prospect is more pleasing than |
thought it could be-
And would YOU say the Hilman
household were any less pleasing than
mine:" This with n nudge and n
chucSle that | thought quite uncalled
for in view of the fact that Mrs. Hill
man was married woman. and | had
no right to express undue admiration
for her or her household. and which
made the blood rush into my face.
"Of course. that must be included"
| said. trying to laugh off my embar-
rassment. And STILL" | continued,
that is only two. and there are mill
ions which one wouldn't care to praise"
What are they TO do:" he retorted.
You are not hunting for the millions,
but the one
apparently / am not hunting one
with great degree of success"
But you should. and now that you
have positive proof that the life is not
as black as it is painted
Its very easy for YOU to talk |
contended warmly. You have called
YOU have exhausted the supply. Now,
if | could get such woman as Mrs.
- But / stopped short. for | was
about to make a discrimination which
was hardly complimentary 10 my host,
and | didn't want 10 do that.
go on he urged, good-naturedly.
Il don't care if you say Mrs. Hilman.
Anybody could see that you had n
leaning that way. Even my wife was
Mt at all envious of her sister
VERY WELL" | submitted, SAY Mrs.
Hilman If could find such a woman
that my mind would not undergo a
change, and that / could not be per-
suaded to throw off few of the tram
mels of bachelorhood."
Bascom let off guffaw that not only
startled me, but it shocked me as well.
for / thought l had said something
should not have said.
What's the matter man." / asked,
much alarmed.
That's it, he continued to laugh.
whats the matter with Mrs. Hill
man."
was much more disturbed than ever
at this queer inquiry.
What do you mean" l asked, tax
ing him by the collar.
"Why, old fellow, if Mrs. Hilman is
your ideal and you think you could be
happy with that kind of woman, why
don't you avail yourself of your Oppor-
tunities and take Mrs. Hilman:'
"Wha -wha-wha- why-why-
! stammered, utterly upset.
'Oh, there isn't any Mr.. Hilman, II
that's what you are trying to say. He
has been in the quiet churchyard for To-.
these many years, and Mrs. Hilman
has been living with us the last twelve
month. and l am positive that she is
heart whole and fancy free, and, what
is more to the point. she is just n little
bit tired of living with u.s. See:'
Possibly | saw, and possibly didn't
| Whether l did or not, 1 spent the next
| Sunday Wirh RaSpOm and incidpntallv