Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-04-06
A MODEL MAN

Hamilton knew how a man should
conduct himself This was a great
factor in his favor. When the con
servative people Of Laxton suddenly
found such man as this in their
midst they received him with open
arms.
In time Il became no uncommon oc-
currence to speak of Hamilton as the
'model man." He grew accustomed to
this distinction, and did everything in
his power to hold the title the people
Of the village bestowed upon him.
He became a veritable encyclopedia
In affairs of love. He was consulted
by every one on every phase of the
malady. No young man of the town
thought II anything to lay bare his
heart to Hamilton.
Hamilton sat writing one evening
when Appleby, the serious man.
was announced Il say, Han, | want
TO see You about something" were his
words on entering the room.
"Well, well, old fellow" began Ham
ilton, jokingly, Il hope you haven't
gat into II, too, l thought you were
tireproOf."
81 thought so, too, Ham, but a fellow
never can tell. Why. do you know,
I'm actually losing my appetite"
You must have advanced quite far
said Hamilton. How long has this
been going onT'
Don't ask me-" replied Appleby.
"All I want is your advice DO you
think / had better go on, or let the
matter dropT
whats to cause you to let the mat
ter drop" asked Hamilton, seating
himself more erect i'm his chair.
"A third party" was Appleby's
brief reply.
And what does she think of himf"
"She says she does not care for him;
says she never did"
Don't you believe her, App asked
Hamilton, earnestly.
when | am with her" began Ap-
pleby, his voice faltering, believe
every word she says. 1t never occurs
to me that she could utter anything
but the golden truth. But when | am
away from her | think of what has
transpired, and | see plainer-I think
deeper"
"Let the girl alone" interrupted
Hamilton.
At this sudden outburst Appleby
started. He met Hamiltons penetrat.
ing gaze and read i'm II the fact that
Hamilton meant what he said. Apple
by was silent. Hamilton's advice was
not what he expected; he did not like
It,
But, Ham," said he at length. do
you know what you are asking? 1t is
| impossible. The girl is Hortense Ran
dali"
Hamilton moved to the window and
stood gazing into the lighted thorough
fare below, his heart beating strangely
at what he had heard.
"By iove," began Reginald Craven,
"do you know, ] could hardly wait 10
tell you. I'm in love. As sure us
you're alive, it's got hold of me. Hor-
tense RandalPs the girl. An admiral lie
creature, Hamilton. Her father has
all he wants, too. She's the only child,
you know, and by jove, she's a great
one. She says she likes Appleby, he's
so serious. She has never told me why
he likes me, but she does just the
same. She wouldn't tolerate me If she
didn't would she, HamiltOnY
well" began the latter in his meas
ured way, "Hortense Randall is not
like other girls. / would not put too
much faith in her"
"Bless your soul, 1 don't have faith
in any girls. Take 1t altogether, it's
an age of degeneration; don't you
think sOT'
Leave the girl alone"
II was the second time Hamilton had
uttered the words, and they were now
uttered with more emphasis than on
the previous occasion.
mot for the world" declared Craven.
"I'd he miserable without her. ! lear
/ Appleby no ill-will, but I'm not go
ing to leave the field to him alone
Much obliged" and with hasty strid 5
he walked away:
When the coming of the wedding
arrived, in the midst of all that was
beautiful and costly, HOrtense Randall
was a picture as she stood before the
mirror for final look. From the top
I of her head, where nestled the frag
rant orange blossoms, to the feet,
dainty incased in daintiest slippers, all
/ seemed to be shimmering haze.
Two hours later Hortense and her
husband were seated in a car. gay
chattering was going on in the car,
ripples of laughter intermingling.
"Well, old fellow, this is a surprise.
Where are you bound for? What
have you been doing with yourself
] lately"
When Hortense raised her eyes she
beheld a stranger at her husbands
/ side. The goOd-natured face was
wreathed with smiles and the hand he
| extended met that of HOrtenses hus-
/ band in hearty grasp.
"Ive been getting married. Mr..
] MOrplan0 this iS my wife"
Morelands eyes met those of Hor-
| tense for an instant, and then in his
pleasing way he said, accept my good
wishes, Mrs. Hamilton. l congratulate
you, Ham,"
The cry of "all aboard" came in
through the open window, there was IA
changing of bells and the train moved
out of the depOt.-Home Magazine.