The record-union., 1899-07-09
MISS M'LARNEYS
ELOPEMEAT?

~'S~>~
| become wife when ssuitors were fewer
and the matter of deciding On a hus-
band was not so difficult, for although
Miss McLarney had reached the bach
elor girl period and looked her age,
she had increased in popularity with
men each succeeding year, and now had
a half dozen self declared lovers whom
she kept in the expectant stage by an
art best known to her sex.
| Miss McLarney's young women
| friends marveled at her fnesse and her
daring as they styled her treatment
of the half dozen lovesick SWANS who
hoped on from day to day with moth
| ing definite from the fair Kate. In
rare burst of confidence she spoke once
of her affairs de coeur to an old school
mate. you reproach me- Fannie, for
| fickleness and call me fiirt. Perhaps
I deserve this, but after all you do not
understand me. These six men you.
know to be fond of ME are all Lice, in
teresting and eligible in the social
world. But not one of them possesses
all the qualities I desire and must have
in husband. Not to he personal, one
has a fine mind, but small. weak
body. Another is successful in busi-
man. A third is a lawyer, but has no
faculty for making friends and gaining
clients, and wishes wife 20 help him
in a social way. The minister, OF
course, is irreproachablc in morals, but
his views are too narrow for an Amer1-
can bachelor girl to accept or even
tolerate. AS for the journalist, whom
like best of all, he is 100 poor to keep
l,s, III q
hope of promotion The sixth man
has been engaged to two other girls
and I have vowed to be first in the
heart of the man marry. If one could
only select the desirable qualities in
each of these six men and combine
them in a single paragon of perfection
but why talk such nonsense
And so while Katherine McLarney
was eating the sweets ana wearing the
flowers sent her by her six faithful,
hopeful lovers, she was looking Afield,
and thinking strange thoughts. Juna
with it's roses and weddings and Slor.
| ious weather came on apace. and there
was often a keen ache in KatherineS
heart when the notes of the 'I.ohen.
grim march sounded sweet and clear;
and she saw friend after friend come
brides. She was a normal young
woman, fond of loving and of being
loved. She had no desire for "ca,
! reer," and was willing to settle down
as a home-maker for the man she
could love well enough to marry. Sh&
had strong ideas on domestic science,
was we'll informed in hygiene, and the
care of the health, and her pet hobby
was child culture. She was on the
board of kindergarten association and
taught one or two classes at social
settlement house. She dressed well ami
fashionably, and kept the golden mean
between too mannish attire and too
frivolous fripperies. She took love and
complacency for her motto, and her
abiding hope in the future made her
an unconscious member of the Don't
Worry club. And SO. honestly striv-
ing to make the best of herself, Kath-
crime waited for her hero, the man of
all men she would choose for a hus-
band.
The July sun shone hot on the blue
waters of Lake Erie as one of the
floating palaces" plowed northward to
the straits. A young mother and child
came from below and Joined Katherine
McLarney, who occupied a cosy corner
in a secluded part of the upper deck.s
Mrs. Howard laughed when she caught
sight of the book Katherine had been
reading. In Tune With the Infinitei'i
My dear grille, why not also be in tune
with the flnite?'
Katherine smiled back in quick ap-
probation of this good natured thrust
and kissed the golden haired baby that
had crept to her arms. How she loved
children and how she longed to-but no,
she must be patient. That was part
of her daily philosophy, patience, pa
tience and yet again patience She
wondered some times how far removed
patience was from resignation and
whether after a while she would de.
eide that spinsterhood were for her the
better lot.
'Kathie, how did you get away from
those six lovers of yours at Cleveland?"
teasingly began Mrs. Howard.
Two tanned men browsing in their
chairs just out of sight around the cor
ner, opened their eyes suddenly,
amused interest in their faces
There was a moments silence, and
then Katherine said: "I ran away.
And I am not going back until it is
well, cooler''
Both women laughed and last of all
the baby gave a little gurgle of delight
that provoked the mirth of ALL
How happy you must be, Mary, with
this darling little daughter Jean, and
your dear husband Alex" said Kath-
arine, patting her friends hand.
Yes. Kathie, I am happy and satis-
fled. What more could a woman de-
sire than loving husband, child
of her own, and all the sweet joys and
comforts of home? Tell me, Kathie,
dear, why do you not marry?''
Il have not found my ideal,' she an
swered dreamily'.
Describe him TO me, and perhaps out
of all our list of friends and acquaint-
ances this wonderful being may be
found. Be frank, Katharine, for I love
you"
CO. but simultaneously sat down again,
smiling at each other. And this is
what they heard:
My ideal must be a large man. at
least six feet tall, brawny and strong,
and capable of carrying me when I
feel like being 'babied' He must have
blue eyes, a good complexion and
strong features; no retrousse nose or
receding chin for me. He must be very
neat and always correctly dressed. A
dude or sloven I despise. He must be
we'll informed as to men and affairs
4 10