The Wilmington daily Republican., 1899-08-31
THE CARDCASE.
How the Happiness Of Two
Lives Turned
Upon q Trifing Event.

!: How the Happiness Of Two
Lives Turned 1
Upon Trifling Event.
.'...V'....'V'...'V'....' ...'V'...'V.'V'....v'
She was beautiful girl, with an open
hearted, generous disposition, and was
ever showering gifts Of greater or less
value upon her friends. II any one
CHANGED to call and professed admiration
for one Of her knickknacks, she invaria-
bly, said:
"If 1t pleases you, do pray accept it."
One really had to be most positive In
declining, else they would never leave
empty handed. l was her eldest BROTH
er's college comradn and was always
welcome at their house. l had known
her ever since she was child and for
merly called her Rosette, but now 1t was
Miss Rose. as she was 20 and was 25.
At that time they thought Of marrying
her. and as she had both beauty and
wealth it was easy enough to find a
ready aspirant. was but poor devil,
living from hand to mouth. more often
faring worse than better. However. l
was endowed with good sense and never
dreamed of considering myself an eligi-
Bile party. But one day, when shaking
her hand upon leaving, 1t seemed to me
that she gave mine lingering pressure,
and it started me conjecturing, l must
confess most foolishly, and then forced
myself to reason and said do not be
fool! She Is not for you!"
From that moment my good sense re-
turned to me. have never been ambi-
tious, nor did ever think that good for
tune would come to me for the asking.
Owing to these traits of character l
must acknowledge l have led dull exist
ence, with little or no joy in my life.
But, by way Of compensation, have had
few deceptions, few regrets and borne
little malice and have endeavorcd to be
happy with what l had. Why should I
complain? If | have never been over
come by excessive joy or rapture, l have
never endured agony or anything ex-
tremely disagreeable. Upon the whole
have had an existence comprised Of
neither the one nor the other and have
been at an intermediate point between
the two poles of all human sensations.
Pray do not think that this story is to be
but discourse Of my own personality.
Far from that! But was forced to give
you a few details of my character and
surroundings, SO you could duly appre-
ciate what is about to follow.
For all that, l could not long delude
myself to the fact that Miss Rose look
ed upon me with favor and was pleased
with my humble presence. l was both
uneasy and overjoyed; disquieted, for l
realized what insuperable barriers sepa-
rated us; delighted, as 1t Is always fat
tering to be honored, as it was ex-
pressed in olden times, by the most beau
tiful girl in society. She had a way Of
modulating my name; when she said
"Mr. Theodore" world of yelled senti-
ments could be derived. Inadvertently,
one day, she simply addressed me as
Theodore. Instantly she saw her error,
stopped abruptly, blushed and was ador-
ably confused. However, on that occa-
sion we did not make any further prog
ress.
On my side I was smitten. I famed
as straw fire in August. l almost
dared hope for the impossible Alas!
My habitual common sense had MUIR
INJURED in vain In my reluctant ear: my
boy, admitting that Miss Rose is fond
of you, do you clearly understand that
her parents are not only intelligent and
sensible, but are worldly wise as well,
and that they would never reconcile
themselves to this miracle and, above
all, to give her, with such dover. to
q grecnhorn like yourself, who is with
out farthing. homeless and is not even
duke peer? Do not build upon it. my
boy, and to avoid scandal, perhaps
some distress. at all events q humilia-
ton and being shown the door, go away,
absent yourself from here for all time.
Lay your heart at the feet of some un-
prcjudiced beggar as poor as yourself,
who will accept you as she would ready
money. | have now pointed out the wise
course for you to follow"
Passionatey reasoned contrary to my
better judgment, giving n series of USE
less arguments. For a vision l saw my
self carrying Miss Rose away on a
stormy night In four horse travelling
carriage to London the horses knew
how to swim, where We would await, in
our great happiness, her parents recall,
who had been touched by these manifcs-
tations of an equally undyins love. Rca.
son answered me. "You have not suiii.
cient money to pay for the carriage"
1t was true enough, for that same even
ing | went on foot, with my trousers
turned up, and, carefully choosing my
steps. to Il reception at these same noble
parents house. My helpessness over.
whelmcd me as soon as entered. Con-
fronted by the luxury Of their surround
ings. by the dazzling lights and liycried
servants, felt Insignificant, wretched
and out Of place. Already | was
ashamed Of my presumptuous pretcn-
sions. mused: ~ am about the biggest
fool on earth" About the biggest, said,
so as not to discourage any one.
On that memorable evening it was
gala occasion. There were numbcrless
guests, so many men wearing decorations
and the women in long trained, low cut
evening gowns, that are always so at
tractive, and the orchestra was screened
behind masses Of flowers.
Instantly | scented danger. They were
not entertaining on this lavish scale for
nnught. In few moments, however,
Roses brother, my old coniradc, gave me
the explanation Of all the brilliant dis
play, and the pliet Interpretation was not
any the less disastrous.
"Good evening" he said, with firm
pressure of the hand.
'How are you? Well? Thank you, I
am also. BY the bye, do you see that tall,
awkward looking fellow, who has lost all
his hair? Yes. Well, he is going to mar
ry my sister"
II the heavens had fallen upon my
head as our Gallc forefathers had
uniquely dreaded, could not have been
more stunned nor depressed.
The greatest gricfs are speechless. 1t
Is one Of those indisputable truths, one
knows not what to say, therefore l made
no comment. Ny friend continues:
Rose yesterday demanded three days
for reflection, but in the end 1t will be all
the same. WIZ would she not acquicscc? :?
He has $500, 900 income. He Is known
count, to be sure, no longer young but
no one seems young In these times. Now
acknowledge that he is a tempting NOR.
ealpp