River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-03-26

WHY II was WAT some were so mucn
lucxier 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 a num-
Der of pleasant churchyards where
thought Mr.. Hilman might be accom-
modated with quarters indefinitely. and
felt that / could attend his funeral
with much pleasure, though, as a rule,
l abhorred funerals.
"Well, old man." said Bascom, as we
took the train for town Monday morn
ing. II 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 req.
sons than one" and he smiled rather
CURLY.
''Oh, yes. know" said. with a
laugh. "You think that after my eal-
Perience of the last IS hours my views
on the woman question will undergo
radical changer"
He nodded and smiled at my pro-
fundity of observance.
"Fess up. now. Marston," he said,
haven't YOUR views changed somewhat
by what YOU have lived in for even so
short n time?"
Well" | replied. picking my way
carefully. Il am willing to say that as
far as your household is concerned, the
prospect is more pleasing than
thought il could be-
And would you say the Hilman
household were any less pleasing t,I8n
mine?" This was a nudge and n chuckie
that l thought quite unc1lled for in
view of the fact that Mrs. Hilman was
married woman. and had no right
to express undue admiration for her or
her household. and with made The
blood rush into my face.
''Of course, that must be included" |
said. trying to- laugh off my embarrass-
ment. "And STILL | continued, ''tha:
is only two, and there are millions which
one wouldn't care TO praise"
What are they to you?" he retorted.
You are not hunting for the millions,
but the cne."
apparently 1 am not hunting one
with great deal of Success"
''But you should, and row that you
have positive proof that the life is not
as black as il is painted
Its very easy for you 20 talk" con.
tended warmly You have called a
lucky turn and so has Hilman. But you
have exhausted the supply. Now, if
could get such woman as Mrs. -
But stopped short, for fear was about
TO make a discrimination which was
hardly complimentary to my host, and
didn't want to do that.
go on" he urged. good naturally.
II don't care il You say Mrs. Hilman
Anybody could see that you had a lean.
ing that way. Even my wife wasn't AT
all enyious of her sister"
Every WELL" | submitted. SAY Mrs
Hilman. If could find such a woman
as Mrs. Hiiman. am not at all sure that
my mind would not undergo a change,
and that ! could not be persuaded to
throw off p rew of the trammels of bach.
elorhoOd :
Bascomh let off gufFaw : not
only startled me, but il shoci a me as
well, for thought had sSId something
l should not have said.
whats the matter, mao?" asked
much alarmed.
That's IT. he continued to laugh.
What's :he matter with Jrs. lIilman?'
was much more disturbed than sveI
at this queer inquiry.
What do you mcan?" I asked, taking
him oy the collar.
why. old fellow, IL Mrs. Hilman is
you- ideal and you think you coulI he
happy with that kind of n woman, why
don't you avail yourself of your oppoI.
tunitIes and take Mrs. Hilman?"
"Wha-wha-wh -why-why-"
stammered. utterly upset.
''Oh, there isn't any Mr.. Hilman, if
that's what you are trying 10 say. tie
has been in the quiet chIrchyard Tor
10, these many years, AMI Mrs. Hilmau
has been living with US the last twelve
month, and am positive she is heart.
whole AMI fancy free. and. what is m ore
to the poin'. she is just little bit tired
of living with us. See?"
Possibly saw. and possibly didn't.
Whether did or not, spent the next
Sunday with Bascom and incidentally
with Mrs. Bascom and Mrs. Hilman
The mex. Sunday spent principally
with Mrs. IIilman.
And the next.
And there are others.--Philadelphi
Inquirer