The Worthington advance., 1896-08-27

"What lucky fellow I am," thought
Noah, exultantly, as he drew the little
gloved hand within his arm, with sell
sation Of proprietorship very agreeable
to experience.
DO stop a minute, Mr.. Hopkins"
said Bessie, as they reached the glitter
ing splendors of q jewelers. window,
II just want to look at those pretty
things! Aren't those rubies perfectly
splendid. You're going to buy me a
set of emeralds and diamonds, aren't
you, when we are married? And a real
Geneva watch with a bouquet Of bril-.
liants on the case? And pair of those
lovely link bracelets? I never had much
jewelry, but when I'm married, I mean
to buy everything that Is pretty. And
you'll get me q parure Of big white
pearls, won't you?"
"I-Ill think Of it," stammered Mr..
Hopkins, rather taken aback by the
extent of his bride-elects expectations.
''It will be so nice to have q rich hus-
band," went on Bessie, artlessly.
''Mamma says you'll let me have a car
riage and pair of darling little cream
colored ponies, that can drive myself,
with silver-mounted harness, and
"Y-yes, but you don't consider, my
dear-horses are shockingly expensive" "
interrupted Noah, wiping his brow with
huge yellow silk pocket handkerchief.
"What Of that? You're rich, aren't
you? I shall have a housekeeper, and
two maids, and colored waiter, and
white kid gloves"
"Kid gloves are two dollars q pair,
my DEAR" apologetically put in Mr..
Hopkins.
''That's nothing, as long as one has
rich husband! We shall 60 to Sara
toga, or the White mountains, for at
least two months every year, Of course.
I always did sigh for a gay life and plen-
ty of excitement"
"Sixty dollars week for eight weeks
-four hundred and eighty dollars!"
mentally computed Noah, with slight
SILVER. II shall come to the poorhouse,
as sure as I'm living sinner!"
"And as many dresses as I want" :"
pursued Bessie, clapping her little
hands. "Mrs. Glenn has 80 silks, and I
don't know how many Of nuns yelling
and taffetas. Oh, Noah, how glad am
that you are rich!"
Noah Hopkins stared confusedly
down at the blue eyes that were up
turned to his so unconsciously.
"You'll have q billiard table, Of
course? I dote on billiards-and a
yacht, for I'm so fond of the salt air,
and sea bathing, and"
"I'll have private insane asylum and
put myself in it first!" "ejaculated Noah,
driven to the very borders of distrac-
ton. "A(iss Wayland, must have en-
tirely misunderstood your character,
from beginning to end!"
II shouldn't at all wonder if you had"
said Bessie, demurely.
II certainly never for an instant con-
templated such frightful extravagance
as you seem to coolly take for granted"
eff I marry rich husband certainly
mean to use his money and enjoy it, y
said Bessie, defantly.
''Then, ma'am, allow me to remark
that you will not use mine! II pre-
fer remaining single!"
"And what's to become Of me, with
allmy wedding clothes ordered ?" whim-
rcred Bessie, trying very hard to sum-
mon the semblance of mortified tears
into her mischievous blue eyes.
"Perhaps you might prefer some
younger man." suggested Noah, with
the lively horror Of a breach Of promise
suit rising up before his minds eye Il
understand that my clerk, Mr.. Evans,
is"
Bessie's cheeks glowed like carmine.
"Mr. Evans situation does not justify
him in marrying-he is too poor. I'm
afraid you'll have to take me yourself"
Noah involuntarily recoiled from the
idea of pony carriages, cream-colored
horses and yachts.
eyes, but-but our head clerkship is
vacant, at salary of $4,000 a year. did
intend it for old Bogsley, but Charley
Evans is a very deserving young fellow,
and
Here Miss Bessie interrupted him by
standing on her tiptoe to give him
kiss that almost shook his resolutions
of celibacy. But he remembered the
colored waiter, with the white kid
gloves, and stood firm!
'But what will mamma say?" sudden
ly questioned Bessie.
II will make it all right with her, my
DEAR" said Mr. Noah Hopkins, thinking
of the gorgeous India shawl full OF
palm leaves and pagodas, wherewith he
would propitiate the impending anger
of his mother-in-law that was not to be.
It'll cost deuce of a sum-" thought
Noah, sorrowfully, ''but it won't COM
pare with the daily and hourly drain OF
an extravagant wife. I'm well out OF
this scrape, shawl or no shawl"
So our little Bessiewent triumphantly
home, to work at her wedding garments
with renewed zeal, sewing happy
thought in with every stitch, and
Charley Evans was that very day agree
ably surprised with a $4,000 position,
formally presented to him with little
stiff speech by Noah Hopkins, Esq.
"Poor Evans thought Noah, as
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