The Southern herald., 1899-03-17

ment. You are . years old, good look.
ing, your record socially and financial.
" will bear the closest inspection, there
are cords Of splendid young women
who would just jump at the chance Of
getting such ehap 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; "recolleet l am max.
ing my argument from a busines.
standpoint. As a matter of business
foresight you owe it TO yourself. Yor
are coming close TO the age when you
will not be able TO take your pick an6
you certainly do not want to go alon,
into old age"
"But l couldn't go into matter ot
such a nature on cold-blooded bust
ness basis"
Listen. You would give full value tc
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, | 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 10 love my
wife" said Duncan, smiling, "but
where's the woman2 Who would have
me2"
There are cords OF EN-. ! haven
got anybody picked out and do not pro
pose TO do the choosing. You see l an
sincere when l 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 hei
with you. You'll enjoy the journeyine
more thoroughly, and think Of tn,
pleasure you might give her.
Possibly" said Duncan, as he, smil
ing suggestively, looking steadily an6
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
basis, seek the hand Of your daughter?'
30, that's absurd. Julias nothing
but child"
"Iow old is shC?"
"She won't be 20 until her next birth
day."
"And how old were you when your
wedding took placer"
Nineteen! James, thisis simply ride
ulous, because it doesn't weaken my
position a particle. II a young mar
who was in every way worthy should
ask me for the hand of my daugh.
ter"
"On a purely business basis?"
"Yes, on a purely business basis; il
he was worthy, | should give my con
sent; because any man who deserved
such girl couldn't help loving her.
80 you insist on Juggling in the mat
ter of love as an accessory
Il insist upon your becoming reason.
able; upon realizing that bring up
this matter because of my interest in
you, and because l know that, If you
will only think over the situation, you
will agree with me. You owe it to your
age and you owe it-eyery reputable
man owes it TO some charming and
worthy woman-to some woman, tc
make her happy"
"All right" said DUNCAN, good-na.
turedly, 81 promise you l will con.
slider this matter carefully"
That's right, that's manly en-
Enthusiastically responded Aunt Lucy,
"nnd IL 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 off, but begin at once; for"
What she might have said in explana-
tion is immaterial, because just then her
daughter, with Betty in her arms, en-
tered the room as though ignorant oil
the presence of the visitor Then,
quickly apologizlng, she turned as
though TO withdraw, at which Duncan
said: Don't go, Miss Munroe, l beg
Of you
Thank you, Mr.. Duncan" said the
girl, with very apparent mock modesty
II have no wish to leave, but | thought
that mamma had business matters up
for discussion"
"And so 1 did" interrupted the moth
or, as she looked suggestiyely at the
young man, "and some day we'll tell
her, won't we, ames?-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 a 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 a fashion calculated to be-
token courage.
Aunt Lucy was speechless, and as
she attempted TO take a step toward
Duncan she staggered weakly and only
caught the back of her chair in time to
prevent falling.
Then 1t was that the daughter held
out her hand and Duncan, taking it in
his own, together they came to the