Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-06-27
The Daily Short Story.
At the Breakfast Table.

II
what you need" said my aunt, "is a
wife,"
'1've noticed that women usually be-
gin with generallties when they intend
TO end with the specific"
'Well, then, perhaps 1 do. She's re.
lated to the Gordons, and she's from
the west"
What part of the west?" I ques-
toned.
Aunt Julia spread out her hands.
ooh. Illinois or Iowa or Idaho. It's all
the same. isn't It? And what was the
place you came from. Indiana?"
81 wonder that you ever put up with
i, me-" 1 suggested.
"Your mother was Massachusetts
woman"
and this-ah-this young lady for
whom 1 am destined-how did she
overcome your prejudices?
"Well. she's a Yankee, too, on her
fathers side"
"Ahw
q know you'll like her, for she's
|
to wear her clothes. Altogether
Altogether she must be a marvel
since she pleases my fastidious aunt"
"Besides"-and then Aunt Julia broke
off and began thoughtfully TO butter
bit of roll
Besides 1 echoed.
"WeIl, she has money, or will have,
though OF course that's a minor consid-
Grafton. One should look first for fami-
ly and brains"
Still money enables one to use those
to advantage"
Aunt Julia agreed.
And without money. brains and fam
lily are only an aggravation. You be-
come miserable because you know
enough TO want the things you can't
get. and it doesn't do you any good to
know that you're somebody if you have
to go around looking like nobody"
Don't be Intricate. I'm going TO in
troduce you to her. She's been stopping
at her cousins all spring. I've seen a
good deal of her. and I've decided I'd
like her for a niece. 1 want you to
think of it seriousIy-for my sake"
For your sake I'd be almost willing
to-"
You're not bad looking, you've n lit
tie money. and If you only work you
may make n name for yourself"
1 bowed. please go on. My great
trouble is that I've always had too poor
an opinion of myself. but if you talk
like that shall believe I'm n man OF
ability"
You have far too good an opinion as
it is. You're too particular. You think
that no woman is good enough for you.
1 don't believe you ever really cared
enough for woman TO even think OF
asking her TO marry you"
1 finished my coffee. ''Have it your
own way" I answered, fetching some
thing of n sigh.
''We'u meet her today"
"Where?" 1 exclaimed, leaning for
ward.
I'm going to take you to Harriet
Mohun's coming out party this after
noon. She'll be there"
ooh. but see here" protested 't'This
is going it n bit fast. l no sooner get
my foot on my native soil than you
introduce me to a young woman. with
instructions to fall In love With her.
You haven't even told me her name"
Didn't II" said my aunt sweetly.
Its Mallard."
'AIallard." said l. and 1 began very
to fold my napkin. Not
Betty MaIlard?"
''I should have hazarded Elizabeth"
I damned my napkin through the |
ring. "Has she talking eyes and skin |
colored like rose petals? Does her hair |
fluff a good deal. and is her smile like |
sunshine in April? Are her hands like |
soft silk If you touch them and yet
strong and fine to look at? Is her
nose straight. but a thought tip tilted? |
And does everybody in the world do |
precisely as she wants them to because |
she can twist anybody around her fin |
ger and they're glad to be twisted?"
"Bless the boyw exclaimed Aunt Ju-
liza 81 suppose she might answer your |
though 1t is a trifie too full |