The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-03

e. @| won't take it"
Betty shrugged her shoulders. "a
man." she announced, slowly, "has
asked me to marry him-a nice man."
"If had asked you to marry me
should not be. pleased that you ad-
vised with another man
cit would certainly be in question
able taste"
"Your taste is impeccable," said I.
"But if I need advice:' mused Betty.
''The first thing to find out" said I,
judicially, ''is whether he can keep
you in hats
81 had thought"
: "Whaty'
"That the first thing was whether he
loved me-"
"You have been reading books said
I. 'Books will tell you that. But the
wise woman knows that the really I'M
portant thing is the hats"
"Well, suppose he could?" said Betty.
would he chuckle when you asked
him to enjoy Mr.. Howell's phrase
about the innocently adventurins, un-
consciously periculant American mai
den,' or would he looked dazed?"
Betty bubbled. "Mr. Howells Is
dear" she said; "but does ones hus-
band have to like him? I had
thought"
"What?'
'.That if loved the man I mar
ried-"
8, Books again." said I.
stevenson says" put in Betty, that
II your wife likes Tupper it IS ne mat
ter"
"He said nothing about the husband.
which proves that he knew it would
matter"
swell, it looks-that is. l think we
should agree on Howells," laughed
Betty.
I stroked my chin. Il trust said
I, ''that he is careful about his boots"
\ Betty looked at mine. II have no.
ticed that yours are always polished"
she said.
In the essentials he seems quite an
eligible person." I concluded.
"You are not interested in his looks?"
"a. minor matter" said I, waving
my hand.
"Or his manners"
'They can't be altogether bad if you
tolerate him"
"His morals?'
'In this" said I. marriage is
guess. One shuts ones eyes and trusts
III Providence"
you're a cynic," said Betty. "He's
nice.''l .....
& "Then marry him."
3 you've never asked if he loves me.
You think that doesn't matter"
I leaned my head on my hand.
''Perhaps after all it does matter: per-
haps it matters more than anything
else. If I only knew the man."
"I have known him a long time"
"Then you are the best witness. %
you think he loves you:
81 have heard him say so.'
''Do you think so?'' said I severely.
SIT would be unkird not to believe
him.
s "Let US assume that he does
'But it doesn't matter whether I
love him?"
perhaps. after all. it does matter"
said I; perhaps he cares lot, and
wants you to care; perhaps he would
think he had failed in everything If
he couldn't make you care; per-
haps-"
"Dear me-" said Betty. "It's four
o'clock. Won't you get me the tea
hall-I know you want tea" 80. ..s.
: I got the little silver ball, and hand
ed it to her.
II was just going to say" said Betty.
athat perhaps he wouldn't mind if
didn't answer him at once"
ut ia for you to decide"
"If we are old friends. very old
friends, and if should be sorry to lose
him, and if like him as we'll as any
4 body else, don't you think he might be
satisfied to come on just as he has been
coming?'
''That is matter for him." said I.
''But what do you think?'
''Of course" said I. "if he cannot sit
In the garden he must be satisfied to
look at the flowers over the WALL" and
with the words I picked up my hat.
you're not going?" said Betty.
: ''It is time" said I.
81 think I'll take your advice about
this-the other man."
"My advicer'
IL think I shall be very nice to
him"
eyes,
Eyes, and let him take me to dances
often"
Eyes"
"And to the jumping-off place to see
sunsets"
"Yes."
HAnd sholI m al-o too far him :"