The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-13
THE GIRL FOR A WIFE

Glove her? Why, uncle, I adore heri
To know her is to love herr'
Are you perfectly certain you know
her?'' asked the elder man, with smile.
Every evening for nearly three months
past has been spent with her."
''That may be and still you not know
her. Whenever you have been with her,
she has been expecting you or some other
fellow she intended to charm. So you are
acquainted with the belle and beauty,
Miss Isabel Courtney; but, my boy, have
you ever gone in on her during the day,
when she was not prepared for callerss'
"No, sir, I have mott
"Well, you'll never know her until you
see her only with her home folks. See and
know the daughter and sister and then
tell me you know Isabel Courtney, the
woman, and if still you are as much in
love and determined to marry her will
yield. You have not committed yourself?''
"My promise given you never to marry
without consulting you has restrained
me. But, really, think you are rather
too particular.
Frank, if you will reflect-let your
mind go back only six months-you will
admit have good reason for speaking as
do. Remember Mary Fulton. You
were loud in your praises of her until you
met Miss Courtney. I've little plan to
suggest which, if you will agree to, I
think you will be better acquainted with
your lady's true character, also that of
Mary, after which, if you come again to
me and tell me you still wish to marry
Miss Courtney, will no longer oppose
you
Frank listened until his uncle had un-
folded his plan and then said:
''All right. I've no doubt of the re-
suit
1t was near noon of the next day that q
handcart filled with plants was stopped
ll0fr,
ing the steps, rang the bell and handed in
card on which was written, "For Miss
Courtney
AS the man stood waiting directions
concerning the removal of the plants he
heard pleasant voice call, fIsabel, dear,
do come down. and the irritable answer:
''I'm not ready, and it's use to hurry
mel You expect me to get down to
breakfast when did not retire until after
midnight. 1 think you might have sent
it up to me.''
There was a grieved look in the mothers
eye as she went to the foot of the stairs
and said:
sit is not to come to breakfast. That
is over. Yours is waiting whenever you
wish it. I called you to come to see the
beautiful flowers some one has sent you.'
"OhP' in a modified tone, and a few
moments after Miss Courtney came down.
If she had not been so intently admir-
ing the flowers, she might have noticed
the look of astonishment depicted Oh the
face of the man waiting to do her bidding.
Take them in and place them in the
windows of the dining room for the pres
ent,'' she said. Going in herself, she
dropped into chair, saying:
Mamma, tell some one to bring me my
breakfast
''You will have to wait on yourself
little today, Isabel. The cook is sick, and
Kitty has gone out for me''
Before the mother concluded Isabel
snapped out:
''It's always SO when I'm tired
"WeH, do not worry, dear. Here is your
breakfast. Papa is going to bring a friend
home to dinner, and we must try to have
things just as nice as if our cook prepared
Them
"Indeed, mamma, if you choose to worry
over the dinner, shall not. Men are al
ways giving unnecessary trouble. When
I have home of my own, I will have my
husband understand he cannot
Isabel was suddenly stopped here by
crash, and, looking up, she exclaimed:
''You awkward wretch, you have broken
the very prettiest roseP'
The man stopped not to pick up the
fragments or bring in the plants remain
ing in the entry, but, pulling his slouched
hat farther over his face, rushed from the
house.
The same morning, an hour later, Mary
Fulton sat at the window of pretty, coy
little sitting room. Her -sweet face had
plaintive expression, which deepened as
she sat SO idly-nay, busy with thoughts
which were far from happy.
fThis will never do she said. "Mam-
ma will soon be in, and must not grieve
her. But. oh, 1 wonder what I did to
change his feelings toward me? 1 was SO
sure he loved me that let my poor b art
slip from my own keeping"
How pretty she looked in her neat
morning dress and her bright brown hair
in wavy confusion!
A peal from the doorbell, and very soon
after the servant entered, saying:
''Miss Mary, come to the door and see
the beautiful flowers the man says are for
you
GLOW beautiful Who could have sent
them? I suppose there can be no mistake.
This is my name and number"
The man expressed his knowledge of
the flowers having reached the one for
when they were intended.
just then Mrs. Fulton came in. Mary
followed hor into the sitting room.
''Shall the man place them in the win
dows, he says, Miss Mary?' the servant
asked.
'sThank him and say if he has the time
to spare,'' Mary answered.
Immediately after the man began to
bring in and arrange the plants.
just then crash. Mary turned quickly
to see, lying on the carpet, the fragments
of pot and near by the scattered dirt,
some clinging to the roots of rare rose in
full bloom.
Never mind,'' she said. 81 hope the
rose is not injured much, and if it is L
must not grumble about the accident, for
am still very rich in the possession of so
many beautiful ones.'
''Wel1, Frank, am I to hunt a fitting
bridal present for your chosen one? I've
been anxiously expecting to hear from you