Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-09-16

"My dear Rachel, will do anything
In my power to help you, but 1 have
suggested every one 1 know who is at
all likely to suit you"
Young men whose prospects are in
the dim future or who have no pros
pectE at all. l am obliged to you. And
some of them were very pleasant, but
1 have told rou before, that kind of
man simply won't do"
Il don't think you are asking too
much" said Mrs. Challinor, looking at
her friend rehectively. You are good
looking, you dress well, have plenty of
go. To tell the truth, 1 have never
been able to understand why you have
not married long ago."
II don't know, either" said Rachel,
rather savagely. Il felt very low
down this morning and almost made
up my mind to write to Stead"
ITO Stead" echoed Mrs. Challinor,
rather helplessly.
Yes; he seems able to do anything
and to help every one. l thought of
sending him my photograph, stating
my case and asking him to try to find
some one for me. DO you think it was
q very wild idea" trying to read her
friends averted face.
"Well, 1 think it was, rather. 1t
would be wiser not to do that kind of
thing. When you are married, you
know" she went on, careful to con-
slider Rachei's feelings, you might
meet Stead, or some one else might
see your photograph, and very unpleas-
ant results might follow. Your hus-
band would be in a rage"
"Oh, l shant mind that When he
is my husband lie may be in as many
RACES rs lie likes. You know, Agatha,
| 1t is quite natural for girl to want to
marry. l don't want Il husband just
for the name or to show him off 10 my
friends, but 1 want to begin TO enjoy
myself to Lave a better dressmaker
and to go al out and have good time
| generally
Il see," rejoincd Mrs. Challnor,
"and now l come to think Of it. do
know of some one else Our neigh
Dor, Mr.. Benn, is coming home to-mor-
row. Frank told me last night; he
had letter from him on business.
He is middle-aged, bachelor and rich.
Do you think you would care to try
1or him?"
"Benn" repeated Rachel; "1 don't
care much for the name Rachel Benn"
/ I can't say it sounds attractive. And
middle-aged; but rich and bachelor,
so that 1 could train him in my own
ways from the beginning. The pros
and cons seem about equally balanced.
1 would not mind just seeing him, If
you would be so kind as to arrange it.
You see, marriage is of such import
ance to a girl"
Certainly" said Mrs. Challinor; "hc
shall dine with US at the earliest op-
portunity."
There were no other guests on the
evening Mr. Benn dined with them.
Mrs. Challlnor intended Rachel to
shine alone, and shine she did. Her
dress was most becoming, she was
looking her best, and the little feeling
of nervousness she had gave her more
than her usual brightness of speech
and manner. She talked much to Mr..
Benn, but, though he listened and an
swered politely, he made no special
effort to talk to her, nor, as Mr.. Chal
linor told his wife afterward, did he
show any impatience to join her in
the drawing room after dinner. Dur
ing the evening she sang and played,
but he seemed rather bored than any
thing else and said, q little callously,
that he did not care for any music cx-
cept Home, Sweet Home" and God
Save the Queen" and OF those lie was
not sure which was which until he
saw il the people stood up or remained
seated. Rachel, who, having under
stood from Mrs. Challinor that he had
some knowledge Of music, had spent
all the morning practicing Across the
Far Blue Hills, Marie" "They Played
in Beautiful Garden" and Other
songs of like nature, felt little ruff
fled in temper that her work had been
thrown away. Songs Without
Words" and melodies of Schubert met
with no better success. He thanked
her civilly at the end of each and at
once relapsed into business or political
talk with Mr.. Challinor evidently
thinking the ladies might be left to
themselves. At the end Of the even
ing she felt disappointed and out of
spirits. She had shone her brightest
and her rays had not warmed him in
the least; he had stayed no later than
usual and on shaking hands with her
he had said no more than the convcn-
tional and meaningless things about
having been pleased to meet her.
They saw one another often after
that; Mrs. Challinor had no difficulty
in bringing them together. Rachel was
paying her a long visit and Mr.. Benn
had always been fond of coming to her
house. No other guest was ever there
to dispute the ground; Rachel had
things all her own way and yet very
little progress seemed to be made. One
after another she had displayed her
various accomplishments, but had re-
ceiveG nothing more appreclati"e than
o,l. on, . L. 4,