Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-10-13

vious eyes, for 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 theirst
opportunity she RECALLED Jack with the
history Of the Van Tassel family, and
closed her recital of their circum-
stances in these words:
Nice people enough, you know; old
Dutch and all that; but there's skele-
ton in the family. they say, some
| where, a cousin or somebody did some
thing-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
Van Tassel was young and he field 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
- i'll
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
| girl of 80 would be more suitable for
| a man of 40, tired of the little whirl-
pools of society. than a girl Of 20. Miss
of 30 I ever saw"
you surely would not think of heri"
| 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
| live away over west-two hundred and
i 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 hundred years
ago, by our grandchildren honest
farmer-hy 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 a 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 80 years
| ago. Really fine families do not draw
! the line at the things you have men
| toned. l am all the more decided to
| propose to Miss Van Tassel. She may
refuse me. I hope not, for 1 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 veNed, but only said:
Jack, you're incorrigible. I don't
believe you mean a 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, s'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.
can wish no better fortune for Jack
| than such a wife. Marriage is q lott