Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-10-12
HE ASKED HER FIRST
q HE must marry somebody said

~ her mother.
Il don't see why she shouldn't
refuse them both, if she wants to, "
said her father
The girl proceeded with her break.
East calmly. She had endured the ar.
Guments of her excellent parents on
the subject of her matrimonial future
for several weeks. Indeed, they were
much more disturbed about it than She
was herself Being pretty, a trihe
Spoilt, thoroughly healthy, and essen,
TALLY feminine, she was in delight
full state Of indecision.
Jack was everything that an ideal
lover should Occasionally good-loo.
ing, absolutely devoted to her, demon
at all games, and entirely lacking the
most elementary notion of financial
prudence.
Monty, in his own peculiar way, was
almost as suitable. If he wasn't hand.
come, he was the best dressed man In
Delsize Park, which is saying great
deal; he played no game, except
bridge" which he had reduced to 4
fine art; and his financial condition
was literally glittering
Jack appealed to the romantic side
of her character, and had the support
of her father; Monty. appealed to her
prudence, and had the support of her
mother.
"You will have to make up your
mind directly" said her mother.
81 am afraid l can't, mother" said
the girl, helping herself to toast cheer.
fully. ut is so tiresome."
IF Iwere girl, shouldn't hesitate
Eve minutes" said her father, mean.
ing Jack
mo more should l." said her moth.
er, meaning Monty.
IL think l shall accept the one who
asks first" said the girl, handing in
her cup for second edition of cof-
fee.
Don't be wicked" said her mother
''Not bad notion" remarked her
father, rejecting that he could wire
to Jack, and give him hint.
'You don't mean what you say
Gaid her mother thoughtfully.
OF course, she hadn't meant it, but
having said it, she began to think that
she did. "Why notY she said. 81
suppose l must be duffer, but I don't
know my own mind a bit. Monty rep
resents carriage and furs, and-and
really think l should look rather jol-
ly in furs. Not clipped rabbit SKINS
you know, but real furs."
Her mother nodded approval. "You
are girl who wants to be well
dressed" she said.
Mr.. Bush looked at his daughter
doubtfully. What does Jack repre-
sent?" he asked.
She pouted. II don't quite know,
she said II think he represents ev
erything that's jolly except the car
riage and furs. That's what is so ag
gravating. If l could only take a lit
tie bit of each, it would be all right
l don't feel a scrap like girl always
does in books. l simply don't know
what l want, and l shall accept the
one who asks me first,> because 1 like
them both very much, and-and 1 dare
say 1t will be all right"
Her parents shook their heads at hel
reckIessness, quite forgetful that II
they had not been SO urgent, the cir
would have been able to make up hcl
mind xvithout oSsiStanca
Shocking" said Mr.. Bush, and he
made up his mind to send off wire
to his favorite as soon as he reached
the city. Jack must cut up here this
snorning, and get it over" he reflected
Its only a kindness to her to save
her from that snob."
His wife popped on her bonnet a:
soon as he had left the house, anC
stepped round to the nearest telephone
call office. Il must give Montya hint,
she said. Margaret will thank me
some day for saving her from pow
-crty."
Happily ignorant of the steps hel
parents had taken, Margaret set abou
At II o'clock Mr. Winterfood came t.
tune the piano. He Ihad wrestled will
the drawing room piano, once quar-
ter, for fifteen years, and the little
old man, with his red pocket handker
chief and black bag, was particula
favorite of Margaret's. Her mother
having learnt on the telephone that tn,
glittering Monty would arrive soon af
ter II was anxious to send the OLE
fellow away, but Margaret wouldn'
near o. 1t.
suppose somebody calls" said tn,
older lady, not daring to tell the truth