The St. Johns herald., 1897-11-20

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 hOH consi cred to
 "mean something"
 But the Dayton girls-or all of them but one, at least-found out that SUCH attentions, when they came from Oscal Edson, instead of meaning some thing" meant precisely nothing at all.
 Lucy Brown couldn't believe that all Oscars pretty speeches and inc com- pliments meant nothing. He had walked with her more than with any other girl in Dayton, and she had De gun to think a good deal of him. lie was so devoted and kind, and all that sort of thing, that she had faith in him.
 Better be careful" said Maria Spooner, warningly. "He's the biggest fiirt in Christendom. He don't mean half what he says"
 "I don't believe all hear about him, said Lucy, stoutly. He's not flrF
 "Yes, he is," said Maria, in tone that indicated that no arguments would change her opinion on the sub- ject. 'Isn't ne always paying atten- ton to every girl that comes along Lucy? Isn't he always ready to make love to a new face? You know he is.''
 "No; I don't know any such thing, asserted Lucy. Hes genteel and po- lite, and if the girls will insist on talk ing the attentions which re prompted by politeness for attentions of another nature, he isn't to blame, is her.
 "Fiddlesticksw exclaimed Maria, in disgust. Talk to me about 1t all be- ing prompted by Oscar Edson's polite ness! Humphr' and Miss Spooner gave her nose an upward turn, thereby eX- pressing her opinion of Lucy's argu- ment, if not adding very much to her beauty.
 When Oscar came to London tO live hc l,'s--1 ' ,--- oet"~ q vc~v lover-Hko ] fashion and made her promise to write often. which Lucy, putting implicit | GaItn Ill man, was quite ready to uo.
 She couldn't help feeling a little dis appointed to think he hadn't spoken out" He had known her a year, but never had said a word about marriage in all that time; and if he hadn't had | had he been so devoted and so lover. like for?
 "Perhaps he wants to get started in business before he settles down" " thought Lucy, and that thought con- forted her.
 Oscar hadn't been in London a week before he struck up an acquaintance with Miss Grant.
 Miss Grant was tolerably good look ing and had a rich father.
 Oscar began to be serious in his at tentions at once. Those attentions Miss Grant received cordially.
 Business is business" thought Os- car. "A few thousands won't come amiss to me, and if I can get a good wife and snug banking account at the same time, I ought to think myself lucky. I say, Oscar Edson, old fellow, go in and winp
 And Oscar Edson did ''go in" accord lngly, and for a month devoted him. self wholly and unreservedly to Miss Grant.
 Then fate, or accident, or some other means, threw him into a dilemma by getting him acquainted with Belle Ora, ham.
 Miss Belle Graham was very pretty young lady, with bold black eyes and a mischief making disposition, and as Oscar had not f1irted for some time, he proceeded, after his old fashion, to lay his heart at Miss Graham's feet metaphorically speaking, and for a month was her most devoted cavalier Mss Graham liked a firtation as welt as oscar did, and was in nOH.s backward in playing her part
 Oscar was always looking for ard cluded at once that Miss Graham had found his fascination irresistible, and was ready to capitulate and surrender whenever he chose to speak the word
 By-and-by Miss Graham went out of town to visit, and then he packed uL his devotion and neceSsares of love making and returned, like a prodiga son, to Miss Grant.
 He had been so busy! Work had beer unusually driving for the last month He couldn't get away from the office Oscar invented a score of excuses tC account for his absence, and Miss Grant graciously accepted them all and reinstated Oscar in her good graces, a d Richard was himself again"
 In August Miss Grant went out ot town and Oscar had a sorry time of il for want of some one to pay attention to. While she was gone he though over the matter seriously.
 Here was. young, good-looking, ant making a nice sum of mCcey, but il 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 th' decisive step, and, accordingly he cas- about in his mind as to whom he should honor by giving the privilege of becom Ing Mrs. Oscar Edson.
 Oscar knew of three who WouIo O'