Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-21

over the matter seriously.
| Here he was, young. good-iooking. md
making nice sum Of mercy. L.. IN
need of a home. The first step toward
securing a home was to secure wife.
Why didn't he get married: Sure
enough, why didn't he?
The more he thought of it the more
firmly he made up his mind to take the
decisive step, and, accordingly he cast
about in his mind as to whom he should
honor by giving the privilege of bccom-
ing Mrs. Oscar Edison.
Oscar knew Of three who would be
glad to have him-Miss Grant, Miss
Graham. and Lucy Brown. All he had
to do to get one of them to be his "for
better for worse" was to give her half
q chance to say yes.
II like Lucy" he so!;loauized; "but
she's plain little country girl, and her
father isn't worth much, and don't
think III throw myself away on her.
There's Miss Graham: she's smart and
handsome. and her fathers worth s
great deal; but she's got too much tenn.
per for me. I'm afraid l don't want
any Of these high-fyers! Miss Grants
the most desirable person after all. Old
Grants bank account is one very salts
factory feature about the transaction.
When she gets back I'll speak to her
about it and have the thing oft my
mind"
Miss Grant came back the next week
and Oscar wendell his way to her home
shortly after her return to inform her
of the decision he had arrived at dur
ing her absence.
| Miss Grant was rather cool.
shes miffed to think haven't
spoken on the important subject be-
FORE" thought Oscar.
A good chance presenting itself, Os-
car proceeded to offer his he lr an.
hand to Miss Grant after the most
genteel manner possible.
He expected her to burst into food
Of thankful tears or perform some other
equally original feat 10 demonstrate
the gladness OF her emotions, but she
did not do anything Of the kind.
You do me great deal Of honor. I
suppose" said she. in tone which
seemed to imply that she hardly con-
sidered that she was speaking truth
fully, 'but don't feel like accepting it..
would refer you to Miss Graham"
Oscar was thunderstruck.
He had never dreamed Of anythin.
like this. 1t fiustered his wits ND ter
ribly for minute or two. Then he
| q iaN1 nd fria vc;,
ters, but Miss Grant was obstinate as
a woman ever was. and would not
listen to word from him.
go to Miss Graham" was all she
said. and Oscar at last withdrew from
the field. discounted.
Its plain as the nose on my face that
she's heard something about nv fiirt-
ing with Miss Graham, and she's mad
about it. Confound Miss Graham
But after sober second thought on the
matter he concluded to accept Miss
Grants advice and 60 to Miss Graham,
Accordingly he set OF to inform Miss
Graham that he had concluded to
marry her.
Miss Graham was all smiles and pref
ty words. and Oscar fe.t that he had
but to say the word and the thing was
settled.
And by and by he proceeded TO in
form her OF the honor he had decid. d
to confer upon her.
Marry you" exclaimed Miss Ora
ham. why, | couldn't think Of such a
thing" and she laughed rs il it vas the
best joke Of the season.
Oscar began to feel scared.
why not:" he demanded.
Because I'm engaged to one man al
ready aud the law objects to our mar
ry:ng two. you know" And thcreupon
Miss Graham laughed again as II It
were immensely funny.
For the life Of him Oscar could not
see the point.
"How long have YOU been engagcdy''
stammered Oscar. feeling cold and hot.
and, to use a handy old phrase which
is very expressive II not strictly elc.
CANT. decidedly streaked."
For as much as-let me see"-coo:
ly--'as much as year. fancy. Yes.
1t was in October that 1t happened.
/ Just about Il year ago"
And you never told mel" groancd
Oscar.
You never asked me-" said Miss
Graham.
| Poor oscar! He gathered up his lac
Grated heart and withdrew FROM his
second battlefield completely routed.
Il won't give it up!' he decided.
There's Lucy Brown. She'll have me
and jump ut the chance. and she's
worth forty Miss Grants and train
load OF Miss Grahams! I'll write TO her
and ask her this very afternoon"
And write to her he did.
! He had not answered Ecr last letter.