Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-04-16
"A DOUBLE
APPOINTMENT

mother must go away at once. But,
come, lot us sit down. Sightseeing IS
such tlrcsome work. and tls gallery is
intcrminablc Now we can talk more
comfortably"
when is your husband cOming?'
This morning. but he is obliged to
go on immediately to Paris. lie wrote
me to meet him here close to the sta
ton. | am expecting him now"
You've no idea how surprised | was
at your being married after all our
talks on matrmony. The last word
you said to me the day we left college
was never l had told you that you
would take a husband within a year"
And you were quite ready to take
one as soon as you should meet your
ideal"
"IcS; | had more confidence in men
than you. l trust men more than wom-
en-"
And | am still of my former opin-
ion that men are not to be trusted at
all But don't blame them. 1t isn't
their nature to be tied down to one
woman"
"Uow about your huSband?'
81 don't expect too much of him.
And are you satisfied with such
want of contidenCeT
"What can | do?"
"You could have adhered to your
resolution never TO marry
and been a sour old maid. No, |
thank you. That was a college girls
talk. | didn't mean it."
'But what prospect of happiness
have you with Il man you can't trust"
81 give him free rein. BY and by he
will tire OF everybody but me and our
childrcn-Whcn we get them. 1hen
he'll want to spend his evenings toast
ing his shins before a fire at home.
CompanionShip is better than blight
ed romance.
"Oh, Mabel. Why did you not take
professorship of philosophy at col
lcgc? 1t would have suited you better
than marriage"
"But am content with marriage. l
don't expect what | have 10 right to
expect and shall not be disappointed.
But YOU, Edith-have you found your
idcal!"
YES"
"Engagcd?"
Not yet. l only met him week
ago"
"Wherc!'
"On the steamer coming over"
"And you expect him
"ro propose. | am sure of it. He Is
to meet me here this morning and has
said that he shall have something very
important to say to me-
"But | should think you would pre-
fer to hear it in less public place
ooh, no. There is spice about this
affair, nothing cut and dried. We met
as travellers and will be engaged as
sightsccrs."
Look out my dear, lest you are di-
vorced homcward bound
Il shall not be disappointed, nor will
you when you see his frank, open face
and his honest smile. But why can't
introduce him to you here!'
"You can unless he happens to come
at the same time as my husband. In
that case shall be occupied
"What time do you expect himf'
at II. His train arrives a few min
utes before II, and he leaves at 11:3O.'
"My appointment is for quarter
past II. | fear we should clash"
81 would not for the world Interfere
with your expected happiness"
"Think, dear what prospect is be-
fore us, We are to spend week In
London and shall make up party for
the continent to go to the south of
France and from there to Italy"
Are you going TO keep him by you
with chain and collarT
"You are incorrigible."
"Wcll. Mabel, I'm delighted at your
prospect of happiness. | hope for your
sake it will be fulfilled"
"The clock is striking II. You will
soon see your husband-that is, dear,
If the train is on time. 1t may be
little late, you know"
"Or my beloved may spend some time
putting Il fair travelling companion into
n cab, chatting with her and holding
her hand before sending her away"
"DOubter!"
"You say 11:3O is the time for your
meeting?"
eleven fifteen"
II hope for your sake he'll be on
time You're all in flutter."
nonsense. I'm perfectly cool.'
"ThCre he comes"
"The gentleman with the umbrella"
"No; the one with the suit case"
"Heavcns"'
ooh, Theodore, I'm so glad you've
come in time! +! want to introduce
you
mo occasion, my dear. l met your
friend on the steamer and appointed .
this meeting with her and you that
you should know each other But how
did you come toGether?"
"Theodorc, you're villain! Your
du voyage and L are college
Good. I'm off for Paris and will re-
turn next week. Then | will make up
n party to visit the continent"
"Mabcl, you see
Edith, what Il brain you have"
MAfX a. WILLIAMS