Griggs courier., 1898-10-06

on in full view Of many pairs OF e.
vious .eyeA TOR Jack was not only the
"catch." but the only really eligible
match at the place.
Cousin Belle decided that something
must be done. Her coveted prize was
slipping from her grasp. SO at the FIRST
opportunity she regaled Jack with the
history of the Van Tassel family. and
closed her recital Of their circnm-
stances in these words:
''Nice people enough. you know: old
Dutch and oil that: but there's skele-
ton in the family. they say, some
where, q cousin or somebody did some
vthing-1 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 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
SAA AoSSSA was yOuuS oAu NC leu Ill
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 I 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 a girl of 20. Miss
Van Tassel is the most attractive girl
of 30 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
she prepares most of the dishes her.
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 can't afford
to have even their gowns made. She
makes everything they wear. and they
something. My! If they were not Van
Tassels they'd be nowhere ia society
-robodies. AS it is. the! are just
tolerated."
"Just us we are tolerated because of
our money, earned hundred years
ago, by our grandfather-au honest
farmer--by his investment in land in
Harlem. The property went up, and
SO did the family. We are nabubs, 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. A 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 nobodies 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. I hope. not, for l think
money and family 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. don't
believe you mean word you say!"
Sailing, driving, dancing, walking:
these were the daily occupations Of
"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, "it is real
ly quite kind of you to take such an
interest in Jacks welfare, and to 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 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 wife. Marriage is lot.
terry, but I am quite willing that he
- . "a