Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-08-15
A GRADUATE WIFE


my wife to be a highly educated wo-
man. If l married at all, desired
woman for the home alone. My mother
and Nine. Desjardins plotted for me
to marry one of the latter's twin
daughters, college graduate.
l went with my mother to call on the
Desjardins. When we arrived Nine.
Desjardins greeted me as little
James," This exclamation rather up
set me.
l expected her to ask me If 1 had
brought my marbles along, but instead
of that she presented me to her daugh-
ters. The twin sisters resembled each
other only in their dress. Mile. Mar
tina was n very beautiful brunette, a
Greek goddess, with pure, straight fea-
lures. Mile. Rose was less imposing,
sweet, pretty blond. l was sure that
in spite of her nineteen years she still
played with dolls. She certainly was
not the learned young woman" my
mother proposed l should court. 1t
must be the other one. There was dane
Ing, and l offered my arm to Mile.
Rose. After waltz we chatted. She
was witty and little sharp, this meek
looking little blond. l started n CONVEX
sation on commonplace subjects, and
In Il short space of time l had judged
my companion to be most charming
little woman, and 1t was with much re-
luctance left her side.
Blue eyes, blue gauze, smiling lips
and cloud of golden hair We're all
mingled in my sleep that night. Why
not the stately, statuesque, dark beau
ty my mother would SO gladly welcome
as daughter?
In another week l must again ac-
company my mother to the weekly re-
ception at Nine. Desjardins', and then
they would come to my mothers Fri
and fell in love deeper and deeper.
Dear little Rose, thought 1. What
wife she will be to make home bright
and happy-for some one. A strange
fear came over me, and l recalled
many instances where Rose had ap-
peared anxious to avoid me, perhaps
out of consideration for her sister or
pointment.
Under the torture of this sudden sus-
picion l flew to my mother. II must
make clean breast of it, mother dear.
l love Rose, and you must help me to
gain her."
ooh, James, Is not this somewhat
sudden? And those convictions you
have cherished'-
"Nonsense, mother! Listen. This is
serious. You will admit that so sweet
and unpretendlng girl is seldom
found now. No more words please,
but do, like the good mother you are,
go and ask Nine. Desjardins for the
hand of her daughter"
my dear child, will teach you how
to be consistent. cannot go back on
my word. l will have nothing to do
with the arrangements of a marriage
for you"
She said all this with such an amused
smile that I could not think her seri-
Gus. / determined, however, to put an
end to this suspense and soon found an
opportunity.
lutIc "cIc IL SOlltclI anu Il Duli NJ
the Desjardins' beautiful country
home. When bending over her moth
er's hand, l saw but one being, and
heaven entered my soul as l caught
the light of her eyes. 1t seemed but an
instant before we were outside wan
dering about the grounds. The words
We're on my lips to speak when some
one called to us: "Come. La AIariani is
going to sing" What care l for the
Mariani? But Rose FASTENED her steps,
and L followed, hoping she would at
least stay outside. AS we neared the
house she led the way to corner Of
the veranda, and there the words and
voice of the wonderful singer reached
our ears and entered our hearts:
My soul is full of dream.
My soul is full of love.
"Those words are mine, Rose. Do
you understand? Don't you see how
love you? You are the woman l have
dreamed of since have known how to
dream. You are the companion have