The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-02-09

ing, your record socially ana nnanc1al-
ly will bear the closest inspection. there
are cords Of splendid young women
who would just jump at the chance of
getting such chap as you are, and"
), "Oh. Aunt Lucy. stop, please" cried
Duncan; this is a matter belonging
solely to myself"
"Nothing of the kind" responded the
good lady as she placed her hand on
her visitors knee; "recollect am maxi
ing my argument from a business
standpoint. As a matter of business
foresight you owe 1t to yourself. You
nre coming close to the age when you
will not be able to take your pick and
you certainly do not want to 60 alone
into old age"
"But couldn't 60 into matter of
such nature on a cold-blooded busi-
ness basis"
listen. You would give full value to
whomsoever should consent to be your
wife-leaving love entirely cut of the
question. You could give her the best
social standing, you could share your
prosperity with her and when you be-
come famous-as you will-she might
share your fame. Of course. l expect
you to pick out the woman you could
truly love, but in pleading the case
prefer to rely solely on material
things"
"I'm glad you'll permit me to love my
wife," said Duncan, smiling, "but
where's the woman? Who would have
me?" G.
"There are cords of 'em. l haven't
got any ybody picked out and do not pro-
pose to do the choosing. You see am
sincere when tell you that am look
ing at the matter purely as piece of
business foresight"
"Oh. I'm not ready to marry. have
not seen half of the world as yet"
"Choose a good wife and take her
with you. You'll enjoy the journeying
more thoroughly, and think of the
pleasure you might give her."
"Possibly," said Duncan. as he, smiI-
ing suggsstively, looking steadily and
squarely into the eyes Of his business
adviser. "Do you think you are en-
tirely right in your position?"
"Unquestionably," was the answer.
>''Supposing some young chap should
come along and, on = purely business
sis, seek the hand ofyour daughter?"
20, that's absurd. Julia's nothing
but child"
"How old 10 she2"
"She won't be 20 until her next birth.
day"
sand how old were you when your
wedding took placer"
"Nineteen! James. thisis simply ridic-
ulous, because it doesn't weaken my
position q particle. II young man
who was in every way worthy should
ask me for the hand of my daugh-
ter"
ION q purely business basisr'
"Yes, on a purely business basis; II
he was worthy, I should give my con-
sent; because any man who deserved
such girl couldn't help loving her."
$50 you insist on Juggling in the mat
ter of love a. an accessory"
II insist upon your becoming reason
able; upon realixlng that bring up
this matter because Of my interest in
you, and because I know that, II you
will only think over the situation, you
will agree with me. You owe 1t to your
age and you owe it-every reputable
man owes 1t to some charming and
worthy woman-to some woman. to
make her happy"
"All right, said DUNCAN. good-ns-
! turedly, II promise you will con-
slider this matter carefully" 80,
"That's right that's manly" en-
thusastioally responded Aunt Lucy.
"and II at any time can be of service
in the matter come to me as you would
to your mother"
Duncan arose as though to take his
departure. at which Aunt Lucy also
arose with: "Now don't put this think
ing OF, but begin at once; for"
What she might have said in explana.
tion il imma terial, because Just then her
daughter. with Betty in her arms. en-
tered the room - though ignorant Of
the presence of the visitor. Then.
quickly apologizing. she turhed ~
though to withdraw. at which DuAcan n
said: "Don't 60, Miss Munroe. l beg
Of you"
Thank you, Mr.. Duncan" said the
girl, With very apparent mock modesty.
81 have NO wish to leave. but thought
that mamma had business matters up
for discussion"
"And 30 did" interrupted the moth
er. as she looked suggestiyely at the
young man, "and some dayswe1l tell
her, won't we, James ?->what the bust
ness was"
Permit me, Miss Munroe," said Dun
can, as he stepped to her side-at which
Aunt Lucy appeared to have been
stricken BY q shock of electricity-"to
most respectfully and with the utmost
Of devotion. to ask you to become my
wife,"
Certainly, proceed, said the maiden,
as she very carefully placed the cat
upon the floor and stood erect with her
face set in fashion calculated to be.