The Winslow mail., 1898-01-08

w
nH considere to
"mean something"
But the Dayton girls-or all of them
but one, at least-found out that such
attentions, when they came from Oscar
Edison, instead of meaning some
thing" meant precisely nothing at all.
| Lucy Brown couldn't believe that all
Oscars pretty speeches and fine COM
pliments meant nothing. He had
walked with her more than with any
other girl in Dayton, and she had be-
gun to think a good deal Of him. He
was so devoted and kind, and all that
sort of thing, that she had faith in him.
"Better be careful" said Maria
Spooner, warningly. 'He's the biggest
f1irt in Christendom. He don't mean
half what he says"
81 don't believe all hear about him.
said Lucy, stoutly. "He's not firt
Eyes, he is," said Maria, in tone
that indicated that no arguments
would change her opinion on the sub
ject. ''Isn't ne always paying atten-
ton to every girl that comes along,
Lucy? Isn't he always ready to make
love to a new face? You know he is"
mo; l don't know any such thing, y
asserted Lucy. Hes genteel and po-
dte, and if the girls will insist on tax
ing the attentions which re prompted
| by politeness for attentions of another
nature, he isn't to blame, is hep
"Fiddlesticksw exclaimed Maria, in
disgust. "Talk to me about it all be-
ing prompted by Oscar Edson's polite
ness! Humph" and Miss Spooner gave
her nose an upward turn, thereby ex-
pressing her opinion of Lucy's argu-
ment, if not adding very much to her
beauty.
When Oscar came to London to live
he kissed Lucy after very lover-like
| fashion and made her promise to write
often, which Lucy, putting implicit
faith in him, was quite ready to do.
She couldn't help feeling little dis
appointed to think he hadn't spoken
out" He had known her year, but
never had said word about marriage
in all that time; and if he hadn't had
| the idea of marriage in his head, what
had he been so devoted and SO lover
| like for?
"Perhaps he wants to get started in
business before he settles down."
| thought Lucy, and that thought COM
forted her.
Oscar hadn't been in London a week
before he struck up an acquaintance
with Miss Grant.
Miss Grant was tolerably good look
| ing and had rich father.
Oscar began to be serious in his at
tentions at once. Those attentions
Miss Grant received cordially.
! Business is business" thought Os-
car. "a few thousands won't come
amss to me, and if l can get a good
wife and a snug banking account at
the same time l ought to think myself
! lucky. l say, Oscar Edison, old fellow,
go in and win!'
And Oscar Edison did ego in" accord
lngly, and for a month devoted him
self wholly and unreservedly to Miss
| Grant.
Then fate, or accident, or some other
| means. threw him into a dilemma by
getting him acquainted with Belle Gra-
ham.
Miss Belle Graham was very pretty
young lady. with bold black eyes and a
mischief disposition, and as
Oscar had not flirted for some time. he
| proceeded, after his old fashion, to lay
his heart at Miss Graham's feet,
metaphorcally speaking, and for a
month was her most devoted cavalier.
/ Miss Graham liked a Irritation as
we'll as Oscar did, and was in nowise
backward in playing her part.
Oscar was always looking for and
| expecting sincerity in others, and con-
| cluded at once that Miss Graham had
| found his fascination irresistible, and
was ready to capitulate and surrender
whenever he chose to speak the word.
| By-and-by Miss Graham went out of
1 town to visit. and then he packed up
making and returned, like a prodigal
! son, to Miss Grant.
! He had been so busy! Work had been
unusually driving for the last month.
| He couldn't get away from the office.
! Oscar invented a score Of excuses 20
| account for his absence, and Miss
Grant graciously accepted them all.
and reinstated Oscar in her good
graces, d Richard was himself
again"
In August Miss Grant went out of
town and Oscar had a sorry time of it
for want of some one to pay attention
to. While she was gone he thought
| over the matter seriously.
Here hew young, good-looking, and
| making a nice sum of mC1ey, but in
need of a home. The first step toward
securing a home was to secure a wife.
| Why didn't he get married? Sure
enough, why didn't he?
The more he thought of it the more
firmly he made up his mind to take the
decisive step, and, accordingly he cast
about in his mind as to whom he should
honor by giving the privilege of becom-
ING Mrs Oscar Edison.