The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-04-13
Love
Stood All Tests.

IL Is strange, but l. really do not quite
know my own heart in this matter"
Thus unused Edith Lyle, as she sat in
one Of the cozy little rooms of an ele-
CANT mansion, which the death of her
father had, a year previous, made her
owner. On the table before her lay
three very interesting epistles, each n
in itself being a proposal of marriage;
and the subject of her meditation was
what answer to send to those by whom
they were written.
Her great fear was to become the
wife of any person who sought her for
her wealth, and to avoid this she was
anxious to adopt any plan.
The three proposals above referred
to had come to her within a few days
OF each other, no doubt because each
had waited until her father had been
a year dead: and she finally concluded
to reply to eech-namely, a desire to
await her decision three months, as
there was a certain matter just then
undecided which might considerably
influence it.
Regarding her three suitors a few
words may be said. Mr. Harvey Stan
hope was what might be termed a gen,
Cleman Of leisure, having no p%retension
to any profession whatever, and al
ways On the alert for enjoyment. One
thing was evident, he vas rich; any
one could learn that from his extrava
CANT habits. His father had been
wealthy, and had left him sufficient
property to live as his taste dictated.
Mr.. Hugh Oswald was the son of a
retired merchant; retired, some said,
because he had become rich enough to
provide for his family all they required :;
others said because Hugh was too in
dolent to continue the business, and
other wise lacked the proper qualifica-
tions to do so. Be that as it might,
the father was retired, and the son
leading a life of ease.
The third applicant for the hand of
Edith Yves a young doctor-'Doctor
James Notion" the sign of his Office
door read, and though more humble
than the others, inaemuch as he was
earning his bread by his profession, he
had the claim of priority, for Edith
and they had known each other from
childhood, and strong friendship had
always marked their intercourse with
esch other.
As TO appearances, all three we're cor.
sidered handsome young men, and as
Edith had heard nothing to the con-
trary, she assumed that the character
of each was what that of a gentleman
should be.
For sale. Apply to Cummings &
Co"
Such was the notice that appeared
on the door of the Lyle mansion about
a month after Edith had answered her
three proposals, arc rather surprised
Mr.. Oswald, who had come to call on
her.
"What can this meanY" He said.
Its very strange" and he ran up the
steps and pulled the bell vigorously.
No answer, however, came to his
summons, and he finally learned from
the lady next door that Miss Lyle had
ceased to reside there, and had moved
she knew not where.
Disappointed, ard somewhat annoyed
that she should move and not let him
know of it, he returned home and there
found a note awaiting him, addressed
by the fair hand of Edith.
Hastily opening it he read as fol
lows:
Mr.. Hugh Oswald:
Dear Sir: AS you see from the above
address, I am no longer to be found at
my former residence, and l hasten to
let you know the reason Of my removal.
In my reply to your esteemed proposal
1 said a certain matter, then undecided,
might considerably IL fuence my final
answer. The matter referred to was
a case then pending at law, and in
volved the question whether certain
securities could be collected eff my es
tate. The decision is given against me,
and by it I am rendered pennilees.
Fully understanding the difference IN
my position now and a short time ago,
1 am constrained, in Justice to myself
and you also, to regard your recent
proposal az not made at ali, and forth
with free you from all obligations con
nected Herewith. l am at present liv-
ing with friends at the above place,
with DO particular idea as to what my
future may be. Believe me,
Very sincerely yours,