The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-18
A GIRLS WAY.
lulu Judson in AIunssy's.l


little grim smile, as she looked steadily
from one to the other of the two photo
graphs that lay in her lap. She was
not the only woman in the world to
whom had come the necessity of decid-
ing between two good men, both in a
measure eligible, and both undoubtedly
attractive; but she had found herself
shrinking more and more from the
making of a final decision, with
cowardice that surprised her and was
certainly entirely foreign to her nature
Now. however, as she lay. back in
great easy chair in the pleasant sitting
room, she drew her red lips very closely
together in a way that, one who knew
this maiden of determined spirit pc
tokened a farewell to indecision, and a.
brave facing, and if possible speedy
solving, of the problem before her
mo one knows any better than L,
she told herself with severity, that L
, cannot go on in this way any longer
If there were only some objection to
one or the otheri But there isn't-bless
their hearts, And how good they are
to me-too good. Oh dear" and she
sighed Then, sitting up very straight
This will never do. Now"-taking up
one of the pictures-"here is Henry G.
billiard, aged SO; by Inheritance, very
wealthy; by profession, al artist; char
acter, excellent; temper, amiable; per-
sonally-good looking, very popular,
and a great catch" She meditated
The truth of the matter is, the girl
who refused Mr.. billiard would be
very foolish girl indeed.
She took up the other photograph.
Now, here is Richard w. Wheeler,
Familiarity known as Dick Wheeler; by
l.xr rnf
lawyer: character, good; temper-well,
temper a little quick; while as for
looks and she held the picture at
arms length and gaZed at ii critically
u do think"-smiling in spite of her
self-"that Dick has one of the very
incest faces in the world"
She leaned back with her hands be-
hind her head and stared UP at the
ceiling with unseeipg eyes.
L must decide" she thought
Il suppose 1 am just an aver
age woman, but it does seem
strange that 1 do not know which OF
these two ] like the better, or II
really love either of them. l do believe
I think as much of one as the other.
In that case, it is just question OF
expediency. fitness. in fact Why, that
is simple enough. Now, which is the
better match of the two? Mr.. Dlllard,
undoubtedly. Which could provide for
me better? Which would be the more
acceptable to my relatives and friendsE
Mr. billiard. of course. There 1t is in
a NUTSHELL" and she sprang TO her
feet with animation and laid the pic
lures on the table There, the matter
is decided, and how glad 1 ann
Sc went 10 the window and leaned
out. Poor Dick" she said softly;
how grieved he will be, but he Will
get over it, of course. l am so glad |
have acted sensibly in the matter. 1
always said l would when it came to
a question of marriage. Now / come
to think of it, I don't see how any
sensible girl could make any other de-
cision."
The portieres parted and an older
lady entered the room, attired for the
street.
4 am going down town, Ellen" she
said pleasantly. rs there anything L
can do for you?"
Nothing, thank you, maTEina."
The pictures lay in full view side by
side on the table
@Ellen." said her mother gently,
those are two good men who love
you. I have hesitated to speak TO you
about the matter. before, trusting that
YOU would realize the necessity OF
making some decision one way or the
other
L do realize it
II am sure you do. Personally l
have no objections to either of them.
They are both estimable men. and /
would have you act according - TIA
dictates of your own heart; but / trust
YOU will use good sense in your de-
cision. In fact, 1 am sure you Will
You are used to having everything you
want, dear, and Mr.. billiard is wealthy
and would be very kind
Still, papa was poor man when
YOU married him. said Ellen, acting
upon-who shall say what impulse?
THAT is true; but l would have you
avoid the trials of my early life. Not
that I have any serious objection to
Dick He IS a nice boy, but a tribe TOO
near your owr age; and then l am
afraid I should always worry about
that-uncle, was it not-of his VINO
died an-an-inebriate."
s'Whv, mamma" exclaimed Ellen,
THAT was not his uncle-he was a sec
ond cousin. or something of that kind.
Besides, what on earth has that to do
with Dick ."
Nothing. dear. Of course he is not
responsible, but those things run in
families. you know. But no matter l
am sure l can trust to your decision,
only you owe it TO both to decide one
way or the other. Goodbye, dear, "
and with a kiss she was gone.
II was with a sober face that Ellen
crossed the room to her workbasket
and took up a piece of embroidery.
Before she had seated herself, how
ever. light footsteps were heard and
the portieres were parted to disclose
one of the most up-to-date maidens-
voluminous skirt, immaculate shirt
waist. demurely parted hair, jaunty
hat. and all.
Good morning, Ellie" exclaimed
this Dewildering apparition- L met
your mother on the steps and she told
me TO come right on in. Embroidery?
oh, put it up I want to have a talk
a nice, good, old, uninterrupted talk, Z"
and Ellen found herself seated on the
sofa, ner hand tightly clasped in that
Of her friend.
Il am glad you have come" she
said, with a smile. Il was feeling a
littIe-wen, a little lonesome, guess -
mo wonderi Cooped up in a house
fine day like this. Isn't that a pic
ture of Mr.. Dillard?" PREACHING over
and taking up the photograph from
the tablet Il thought so. What a
handsome fellow he is! I tell you,
Ellen. you are q lucky girl"
Indeed In what way?" and Ellen
Strengthened Up little.
I'm what way? Now don't you know
it is perfectly absurd for you TO put
on that innocent air with me? 1t is
scarcely to be believed that he has
been paying you such devoted atten-
tons for nothing; and that being the
case, my dear, you needn't tell me you
are going to refuse him.
And why not, pray?" asked Ellen,
frif