The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-30

want your advice on a most important
subject. I'm thinking seriously of get
ting married; now, do you think it
would be a wise thing for me to do, or
not?''
A sudden idea rushed into my mind
/ Could it be that Bertram was the an
swer to the insoluble problem? Seymour
and Bingley were still in agonies of in
decision. Bertram certainly was not so
handsome as Seymour. but then he was
not hard up; he was not so rich as
/ Bingley, but then he was not morose.
He was prosperous and good natured
and inclined to be stout. I felt sure
/ he was the man to make any woman
Advise you to get married. my dea>
fellow" 1 replied warmly Most GER
tainly I do. 1t would be an excellent
thing for a man in your position. And
/ believe I know the very girl to suit
you, too.'
So 1 felt 1 was doing the best for
every one all round in taking Bertram
to call on Mrs. McArdle next day. He
was charmed with Edith. The follow
ing day they met at the band, and on
the third day somewhere else Each
day Bertram was more taken with her
than he had been the day before, and
Mrs. McArdle was as cordial as poss,
BILE "I'u do itr' he said to me in a
decisive tone, land many thanks to you
for your kindness in introducing me TO
her, old chap. But first 1 must go back
to Jeybad for a day or two. There is
a splendid bungalow that know of to
| let just the house I should like to take
my wife to. and if 1 don't secure it at
once some one else will be sure to snap
it up, but I'll certainly be back within
three days"
So he was off at daybreak next morn
ing I was feeling quite chirpy and
pleased with myself when l strolled
round to ehe club in the afternoon. 1t
all big stations in India. Wheneve-
there was no special amusement COINS
on all the inhabitants of the place of
either sex congregated there for games,
chatter or to listen to the band
Seymour was sitting on the Veranda-
so L drew a chair close to his and sat
down.
him and speaking in a low and conf
Dental tone Il think 1 may say with
confidence that Edith Chester is provio-
er for Bertram is coming back to pro-
nose for her within three days Told
me SO himself. Now there's the solu-
ton of all difficulties" 1 hardly know
how I had expected him to take the an
nouncement. but I certainly thought 1t
was understood that Edith'S happiness
was what we all wanted. Seymour,
however, sprang to his feet in tower
ing rage "Difhculties?" he exclaimed
What do you mean? won't allow
any fellow to speak of Edith Chester
in that tone; I've made up my mind to
stroll round there and propose for her
this evening"
ment and a man who was seated with
his back to us started and turned round
at the mention of the girls name. IN
another moment he stood in front OF
Seymour. I recognized him vaguely as
Acland the new military attache at
Gungipoor who had just come up on
leave. He was tall and dark and as
good looking in his own way as Sey-
mour was in his. Don't trouble TO
stroll around this evening" he said in
a tone of concentrated anger equal to
Seyrnour's own. Miss Chester is en-
gagged to me: we are going to be mar
ried in MONTH" The two stood
fronting each other for a full minute
in a rage that seemed too deep for
words. Then Seymour with a white face
turned and walked away.
STAYED behind to ask Acland a few
questions. He and Edith had come out IN
the same ship and had mutually fallen in
love, but an engagement seemed out OF
the question from want of money on Dotn
sides. An unexpected legacy had made
pose for Edith, been accepted, and mere ne
was.
Seymour was furious. Bingley was in
jured. Bertram was raging; and L Wen, |
to tell the truth. I felt myself badly in
want of change of air and scene, SO ap-
piled for leave and went of on a shooting !
expedition to the wilds of kashmir;
Acland and Edith were married and had
left for Gungipoor before my return. I
have never met them since. Edith still
remembers me to the extent of an elab- |
crate card at Christmas and an OCCASION |
al friendly letter, but what is a letter or /
a Christmas card in return for all L SUI /
fered OF her account
Matchmaking is more wearing than Wis |
iting in the slums- writing novel or /
commanding a regiment; it is a thankless /
candle. and I hereby forsvear it for the /
rest of my Iife--F. E. Bell in The Taller. /