The Topeka state journal., 1899-07-04
HOW EUSTIS FORD
CHOSE HIS WIFE,
rFrom the Boston Post-l

Z
''Eustis. old boy, sald Roy 'a9 LSty IOt, ,lig
as he tilted back his chair and put ms
faa+ 1lr1or1 the fender when IS the wed
ding TO be2"
Miss NJ .5s7I Laura. Bateman or Bertie,
I don't know. I'm sure"
Now. don't be mysterious, Eustlsi
vOu know you are a constant VISITOR
and all the village people are taking
about the match Don't pretend EoU
have not selected one Of the sisters
How do you know either OF lhen
You. young, handsome. an1 with a
large fortune. Come, which IS the fav-
Orfte sister,"
wei. frankly. then. Roy, I cannot
tell you I have visited the family Lor
several months. but l cannot uecl1T-
Laura is certainly the hancsOner, Win
her soft blue eyes and queenly manner
but Berthe seems. although the younger ,
TO be the more wOmanly AID usetul OF
the two. NY entrance is the signal Tor
cordial welcome, and. let me caH AZ
what hour I viii. they are always well
dressed and apparently disengaged-
Go there IS disguise As peddler,
for instance
Just the thing: viii"
Laura and Berthe Bateman were the
I only children Of a widower who, al
/ though in moderate circumstances
moved in fashionable society Laura
had already selected Eustis Ford as her
future husband. and Bertie tried TO con-
quer a carefully concealed preference
for the same purpose
1t was the morning after great ball.
and the sisters were IN the breakfast
room together, Laura, her hair gathered
loosely into q comb wearing a SO1led
wrapper and presenting rather an
alarming contrast TO the Brilliant ball
f room belle, was lOunging On the sofa
Bertie. in a neat morning wrapper,
with a large gingham apron, white col
lar and hair smoothly brushed into a
neat knot. was washing the dishes
There is an old man at the door with
some fine Iacess' said the servantt viii
you see hin2"
) NO" said Berthe.
/ Yes" cried Laura; "e'send him up
In few moments the old man came
/ in He was poorly clad. His hair was
white. with beard and mustache of the
/ same hue. Making a. low bow, he placed
{ the basket he carried on the table and
! Il have some hne Iaces here" he said
/ taking some from the basket, that viii
I just suit you. MISS and he held thea
[ before Bertie.
1T was my sister who wished to look
at your IaCes," said Berthe. quietly
Yes; bring them here was Laura )
fmperious command.
The old mans eyes followed BERTHE as
she washed, wiped, and put away the
dishes. swept the room. and busted it,
and then sat down beside Laura, who
was still looking over the basket
See, Bertie, this lace is just what 1
want VIII it not look lovely on my
new silk dress ."
But" whispered Bertie. you can't
afford il just now
Yes. I can Father gave me some
money yesterday"
But that was to pay the last dry
goods bill
Nonsense. That viii stand till am
married. and then can easily save IL
out of my housekeeping money"
I should not wish to marry IN debt" 3"
said Berthe
The old man looked earnestly at the
sisters
You had better take some. miss .
he said % Bertie. If it amt convenient
TO pay for 1t now / viii call again
NO shall not take any. Come.
Laura decide You are keeping one
waiting whose time. probably. is valu-
able then passing a chair she added; !;
/ BE seated. sir you look tired
L am tired, indeed was the reply.
Laura had chosen three pieces. and
4 said she would take them
I But sister you cannot afford it,
| Yes, can Eustis Ford is rich
] The old man bit his lips
/ Think" said Bertfe- in q low tone of
/ you love him how much it VIII grieve
( him if he should discover this deceit 30
/ 'Well,I can call again-fOr the money, 20
/ said the peddler.
Yes; call again. said Laura
So the peddler took up his basket
\ walked home, threw off his disguise.
I and wrote an offer of his hand and
! heart 70 Miss Berthe Batanah which
! was accepted
/ Laura has two sources of profound
{ speculation One is. Why did E7ustis
+ Ford propose to Bertie instead of me2''
/ The other. I wonder Why the old man
never called to be paid for the Iace?"
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