The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-01-25
BECAUSE
OF IDGATS
4 e$E3
He Won Her In Poverty and Married
Her In Riches.

MAY l walk home with your" he
as,ed.
1t was past 8 o'clock on wet winter
night, and they had just come out of
church, where the vicar had been dis
coursing eloquently on the social equal
ity of man.
The girl looked up at the sky, opened
her umbrella, and said, Yes"
"You think he was rightY The man
nodded his head in the direction Of the
building they had just left.
"Not at ALL" said she, with little
toss of her head. 81 think he was all
wrong in general"
"But in particulars
"You and l have nothing to do with
particulars" she remarked, kicking
away q stone which lay in her path.
1--WE are particulars" briefly.
"No, we are not" retorted the girl.
1--WE are most decidedly generals. My
father is General Carwithen. my grand
father was General Carwithen; your
father is-a general dealer" This latter
was said under her breath.
The man did not contradict her; he
merely asked her if it made any differ
ence to themselves.
II think we are, and always shall be.
as far apart as those two stars" she
said sadly.
The rain had ceased, and two watery
stars twinkled feebly in the gloomy
sky.
II am nearly home now" she said,
after little silence. "You had better
not come any farther. Good night"
The man apparently did not see the
hand she held out. He said good night
laconically, but he turned and watched
her until she was out Of sight.
Once home, she flung herself on the
bed in an agony of despair. The man
found his friend awaiting him on his
doorstep.
"Hello! You look bit down in the
mouth, Needham. l knew this bust
ness wouldn't work satisfactorily" he
said.
''It's working splendidly," answered
the other.
'Then what Is itY' asked his friend.
IL
and shrugged his shoulders. ''The tale
Is as old as the hills, Arthur" he said.
II am in love-"
"Phewv calculated his friend.
"Oh, it's all right" said Nesdham.
'She is perfect lady" Arthur
glanced round his friends study. Vio-
Inns and bows galore Uttered the room;
music was the dominating passion Of
the mans life.
"She doesn't known he asked.
"Not shew answered Needham. "She
thinks my father is a general dealer in
only heaven knows what! But I'll
make her own she loves me before she
does know. No one here has ever
guessed my story. l am poor violin
teacher, pure and simple"
''Not so simple, either" Grosvenor
laughed.
The two men had brought out their
their hearts content.
"Look here, l met an old woman
know in the street today" went on
Grosvenor. II told her l was staying
with you, and she asked me to dine
there; she turned up her lofty nose
with scorn at the bare idea of you join
ing her select party at table. No one
Is good enough for Mrs. Ranter; she
has her precious girls future to
think of, and you are not an eligible"
"Ranterw echoed Needham. "Why,
that's the name of my best pupils
mother. "Are you goingY
'Is thy servant a dogY returned
Grosvenor.
MRS. Ranter is one of the most ar
rant humbugs on the face of this earth.
Nothing short of a title Is worth any
thing to her." said Needham.
ooh, know her." returned the other
81 think she would sell her soul for
position"
"If she had one." added Needham,
and they both laughed.
"How did that general dealer idea
get about?" asked Grosvenor. He had
stopped smoking to refill his pipe.
"Oh, 1 don't known answered the
other. II expect Mrs. Ranter is at the
bottom of It, and haven't contradict
ed 1t because it served my purpose
well"
"You were always a rum chap. you
know" said his friend. 81 can't think
how it is people don't see through
you"
Needham paused in the act of putting
some coal on the fire. 81 have always
had my Ideals" he said. Zone of them
was to be loved and married for myself
alone. My father being out in Canada
made it easy for me to sink my identi-
ty. Ard I've had an ideal existence,
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