The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-24
JUST LIKE HER.


his mind, he decided to take wife, his
thoughts at once turned to matrimonial
paper as the best means for attaining his
object Not that he was unacquainted with
any being on whom he would have been
willing to confer the title of Mrs Theodore
Shy, But such was his innate bashfulness
that he dreaded his determination being
ascertained by his friends and himself
consequently ridiouled. Chaffcd he would
certainly have been, but as Theodore was
In every respect an eligible parti there was
no reason to expect ridicule.
Theodore Shy at the time of contemplat.
ing this most serious step was SO years OF
age Passably good looking, good tenn
pered, good natured (good natured, silly
fellow he was sometimes styled by his Dor
rowers), he possessed good house, good
income, and all he required was good
wife to make his home happy.
While matters were OF this stage Theo'
dore was brought to full stop, and for
this reason. He could not conooct suit
able advertisement.
"Of course" he said, ~ don't want an
old wife, but can't advertise that want
pretty young girl-and l shall certainly
want her to be good looking. And what
else? Let me sec. Modest, musical, anna
BILE, domestic, loving, understanding
it! can't do 1t. II it was ever discovered
to be my advertisement I should never
hear the end Of 1t. "
He was In dilemma for two days, when
he determined to seek the advice of a lady
friend-a young widow who had often
commiserated him on his solitary lot. II
Is surprising that being so bashful he
should have actually sought the advice OF
lady, and that lady, too, one who would
possibly have no objection herself to be.
coming Mrs Theodore Shy. But, strange
to say, that had never occurred to him.
Mrs. Ready was an old friend whom no
had known before her marriage, and was
the only person he felt he could take into
his confidence, being assured Of her sym.
pathy and disoreetness. She had married
when only 10 young lieutenant In the
army, who, three months afterward, was
inconsiderate enough to leave his wife a
widow. She was at this time 25 years OF
age and exceedingly pretty. Theodore Of
ten thought that she bore strong likeness
to the widow woman in whose eye Uncle
Toby endeavored to find the imaginary
something He had not, however, consid
cred the possibility of her likeness in char.
actor to the aforesaid widow, and, acting
on his first impulse, ho lost no time in pay
ing the relict of the late Lieutenant Ready
visit.
He saw the young widow In her morn
ing room, and she met him with extended
hand and smile of welcome.
After talking of the weather of yester
4. Al. - fo. t,In n,,I
tomorrow, Theodore sought an opening to
the subject of his call.
II wish to seek your advice on a matter
of great import to myself"
Eyes"
"There Is no one else of whom l should
care to ask this advice, and feeling assured
of your sympathy and help determined to
be guided by your counsel, if you would
be so good as to give it. "
The widow, much surprised and i'm
pressed by his extreme seriousness, re-
pressed her inclination to laugh and said
she would be pleased to help him in any
way in her power.
"Thank you; you are very good, y and
taking the widows hand Theodore rather
profuscly expressed his gratitude.
"Well, the fact is, he said, relinquish.
ing her hand, which she made no attempt
to withdraw, II am contemplating mar
riage, and knowing you-knowing you to
be-
Eyes" said the widow demurely.
"Knowing you to be more experienced
in such matters and being so kind-so
good--so"--
Here the pretty widow blushed and
looked even lovelier than ever,
Yes, /" she said in low tone, moving a
little nearer to him. "And"-
And so DISTINGUISHED
Here she gave him an unutterablc look
of reproach.
II thought I could not do better than
ask your advice as to the lady wish to
marry"
Mrs Ready looked puzzled. Was he not
goirg to propose after all2 who is the
LADY,"
well, oh, the fact is don't know"
Don't lknowP'
mo" he went on hurriedly. "You see,
expect there would be a great deal Of
chuff at such an old bachelor as myself
, getting married. and l am anxious to avoid
it."
Theodore had by some process of reason
ing come to believe no was too old to dream
of marriage. The widow thought other
wise and ventured to say so.
well, at any rate he said, my friends
think SO and would rdicule tho idea, so
Two been thinking of using the columns
Of IA matrimonial paper for the purpose.
Tho widow looked nghast.
"What do you want mo to do, then?'
"The fact is" he confessed, II can't
make out such an advertisement as I
would like. and want you to help me to
word one, If you will be so kind. "
Mrs Ready was amazed and not little
disappointed. She had tried her best to
create an impression on this man, and the
only impression she had left was that she
would make counselor. And now he
came to ask her advice as to whom he had
better marry, She thought she knew, but
unfortunately 1t would not do to say.
Writing materials being on tho table,
the widow sat down and took a sheet Of
paper on which to commit notes,
First of all, said the lady, what sort
Of wife do you WANT"
This was q stnggeror. Theodore exam
ined the pattern of the carpet, the ceiling,
the mantelpiece and half dozen things,
and then turned his eyes to tho widow,
on whom he gazed intently. 1t seemed
that he now for the first time fully recog-
nized her charms.
Really" he said, II cannot describe
tbs sort Of lady | should like You see, IL