The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-10-20

must be done. Her coveted prize was
slipping from her grasp, so at the first
opportunity she RECALLED Jack with the
history of the Van Tassel family, and
closed her recital of their circum-
stances in these words:
Mice people enough, you know; old
Dutch and all that; but there's skele-
ton in the family. they say, some
where, a cousin or some body did some
thing-I don't know exactly what or
when-disgraceful; and then her
mother was only poor music teacher,
who played at parties, and later, when
she got on a bit, sang in some really
nice concerts. That's how Mr.. Van
Tassel met her. She played at his
mothers parties. You see Mrs. Van
Tassel wanted to help the girl, and
that's what she got for doing it. John
Van Tassel was young and he felt in
love with the handsome music teacher.
She died when Miss Van Tassel was
only few days old, and John Van Tas-
sci, they say, died of grief at her loss;
but that, you know, is all bosh-men
are not made that way. The aunt
adopted her, and, with her limited
means, she educated her and tried to
push her; but, you see, she's failed.
She's caught no flies in her web, and
now she's 80, she isn't likely to, they
say"
Jack listened with an amused smile,
for this little cousin of his was yet
young in the art of diplomacy, and
her malice was very perceptible.
you would not advise me to pro-
pose to her, then?" he queried. "You
know I've been seriously thinking late
ly of settling down-of marrying, in
fact-and l thought that probably a
girl of 30 would be more suitable for
a man of 40, tired of the little whirl-
pools of society, than girl of 20. Miss
Van Tassel is the most attractive girl
of 80 | ever saw
You surely would not think of her!"
cried Belle, with genuine horror.
"Why, they keep only one girl, and
when she entertains at luncheon-a
cheap sort of entertaining, by the way
oilN ll pa lIlO5l VI INC uISutS IItJ-
self, and then appears, all fused up,
afterward as though she hadn't done
a thing, and as if they had 40 servants.
And, do you know? they cant afford
to have even their gowns made. She
makes everything they wear, and they
live away over west-two hundred and
something. My! if they were not Van
Tassels they'd be nowhere in society
-nobodies. AS it is, they are just
tolerated"
Just as we are tolerated because of
our money, earned a hundred years
ago, by our grandfather-an honest
farmer-by his investment in land in
Harlem. The property went up, and
SO did the family. We are nabobs, not
because we are Ruthvens, but because
we have money. Society. as it is tech
nically known, worships money and
dry goods. Give me the girl who, like
Miss Van Tassel, knows how to make
the home; she's good possession for
any man. fig for society! Not one
word you have said but has raised
Miss Van Tassel in my regard, as
it would with anybody, excepting the
conceited snobs and do-nothings, who
were perhaps nobodes 20 or 30 years
ago Really fine families do not draw
the line at the things you have men
toned. | am all the more decided to
propose to Miss Van Tassel. She may
refuse me. l hope not, for l think
money and a family a good combin-
alton, myself. You should approve,
cousin mine, for it's quite the thing
in society to join in wedlock family
and hard cash"
Cousin Belle bit her lip, as was usual
with her when vexed, but only said:
Jack, you're incorrigible. l don't
believe you mean a word you say!"
Sailing, driving, dancing, walking;
these were the daily occupations of
1.-The pair as they were now called
by all the boarders at the hotel, who
looked on with eager interest to see
how the matter would end.
Cousin Belle became desperate, and
held many conversations with her
aunt-Jack's mother-in which Miss
Van Tassel was called that designing
creature" the passe girl" and other
disparaging things. The aunt listened
and at first said little. Later, how
ever, she expressed her convictions
quite freely.
my dear Belle" she said, at is real
ly quite kind of you to take such an
interest in lacks welfare and tn warn
me in this way, but have given the
matter much thought and have come
to the conclusion that Jack cannot do
better than to marry Miss Van Tassel,
who is certainly charming girl. She
is devoted to her aunt, who assures
me she is a great comfort to her. She
has many domestic virtues which will
make for peace and happiness in the
home over which she will preside. I
can wish no better fortune for Jack
than such a wife. Marriage is a lott
terry, but I am quite willing that he
should take the risks in this case. 1t
promises well, at any rate, and l shall
advise Jack to marry her as soon as
she will have him."
But, auntie, she is so poor and so
old"
"Sne certainly is not old in this
comparison. Her age is suitable to
Jacks. AS to her poverty, Jack has