The Portland daily press., 1899-10-07
THE CARDCASE.
How the Happiness Of Two
Lives Turned
Upon a Trifing Event.


- 49, Y -. 49, - - - - =
She was beautiful girl, with an open
hearted, generous disposition, and was
ever showering gifts of greater or less
value upon her friends. IL any one
CHANGED to call and professed admiration
for one of her knickknacks, she invaria-
bly, said:
IF it pleascs you, do pray accept it."
One really had to be most positive in
declining, else they would never leave
empty handed. | was her eldest broth
er's college comrade and was always
welcome at their house. ] had known
her ever since she was a child and for
merly called her Rosette, but now it was
Miss Rose. as she was 20 and l was %
AT that time they thought of marrying
her, and as she had both beauty and
wealth it was easy enough to lind a
ready aspirant. | was but poor devil,
living from hand to mouth, more often
faring worse than better However.
was endowed with good sense and never
dreamed of considering myself an eligi-
BILE party. But one day, when shaking
her hand upon leaving, it seemed to me
that she gave mine a lingering pressure.
aud it started me conjecturing, | must
confess most foolishly. and then forced
myself to reason and said: DO not be q
fool! She is not for your
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
must acknowledge have led duh exist
ence, with little or no JOY in my life.
But. by way of compensation, have had
few receptions, few regrets and borne
little malice and have endeavored to be
{, happy With what l had. Why should
complain? IL | have never been over
come by excessive joy or rapture. have
never endured agony or anything ex-
tremely disagreeable. Upon the whole
have had an existence comprised of
neither the enc nor the other and have
been at an intermediate point between
7, 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 few details of my character and
, surroundings. so you could duly appre-
ciate what is about to follow.
For all that. / could not long delude
myself to the fact that Miss Rose look
ed upon me with favor and was pleased
with my humble presence. I was both
uneasy and overjoyed; disquieted, for
realized what insuperable barriers sepa-
rated us; delighted, as it 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 way of
moduating my name; when she said
"Mr. Theodore" world of yelled senti-
l. \ I. ~.
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 / was smitten. l famed
ms straw fire in August almost
dared hope for the impossible. Alasl
My hahitual 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
a greenhorn like yourself who is with
out farthinS, homeless and is not even
a duke peer? Do not build upon it. my
boy, and to avoid scandal, perhaps
some distress. at all events a humilia-
tion and being shown the door, go away,
absent yourself from here for all time.
Lay your heart at the feet of some un-
prejudiced 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"
Passionately l reasoned contrary to my
better Judgment, giving a series of use
less arguments. For a vision l saw my
self carrying Miss Rose away on a
stormy night in a four horse travelling
carriage TO London tthe horses knew
how to swim. where we would await, in
our great happiness, her parents recall,
who had been touched by these nantes
tations of an equally undying love. Rea-
son answered me. You have not suffi-
rient 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 reception at these same noble
parents house. My helpessness over
wheimed me as soon as | entered. Con.
fronted by the luxury OF their surround.
ings. by the dazzling lights aud lyered
S(tfNhtS5 L AEil hIEiIItO
and out OF place. Already ! was
ashamed Of my presumptuous preten
sions. | unused: II am about the biggest
fool on earth" About the biggest l said
so as not to discourage any one.
On that memorable evening it was
gala occasion. There were numberles.
guests, so many men wearing decoration,
and the women in long trained, low eu
evening gowns that are aIways so at
tractiye, and the orchestra was screened
behind masses Of flowers.
Instantly scented danger They wer,
not entertaining on this lavish scale fol
naught. In few moments, however
Roses brother, my old eomrade. gave m,
the explanation OF all the brilliant dis
play. and the brief Interpretation was no
AAY the less disastrous.
ltgs