The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-01-10
MY Choice

tgElE8hAttl
THE doctor tells me-" said my IA
Their one morning after breakfast, that
this heart OF mine is liable to take me-
of at any moment Before 90
wish to see you married, would be
glad IL you could have romance, but
romances will not be hidden; they
come when they please or not ut all
must therefore ask you to choose
husband In q conventional way. Three
men have proposed to me for your
hand Edward Hewitt, Arthur Lyons
and Gilbert Lawrence. All are able to
support you; all are mentally and
physically admirable men except Law
renee, who Ii cursed with a club foot.
believe you know them =
Mr.. Hewitt / have met; Mr.. Lyons
/ know pretty well; Mr.. Lawrence |
do not know at ALL
Then | suppose the choice falls be-
tween Hewitt and Lyons?'
/ was silent. Ny expression must
have been luguhrious, for father said,
Poor little girl" Then l turned to
him and said:
Send them all to me to make their
propositions direct and / will decide
between them"
ION different days?"
mo; let them all come tomorrow
evening. Put them In different rooms,
and let them out hike bears in a menag
erie, one after another"
Father smiled grimly and went
away.
The next evening l took position in
the small drawing room. Presently
the door opened, and Mr.. Hewitt walk
ed In. He was perfectly seif possessed,
advanced to within short distance Of
me and stood deferentally He was
hne looking man, though not hand
some. He began to speak in formal
tone
'Your father has given me the ines
Unable privilege Of laying my heart
at your feet have known you long
enough to feel assured Of the loneliness
Of your disposition, the reetitude Of
your conduct, and it is plain TO all that
you are beautiful. I mention these
traits, since from boyhood have been
resolved that the woman I marry must
possess them As to worldly goods.
have sufficient myself I can take care
OF you in the same fashion as you have
been brought up. You have only TO
speak one word to make me happy"
II duly appreciate" | replied, 1the
honor you have done me and am pleas
ed to know your requirements in the
woman you shah marry. ! will hold
your proposal under advisemcnt, and
you will be duly informed"
His confident manner underwent
sudden change, and he retired in some
confusion.
Ten minutes later Mr.. Lyons came
IN. He cast frightened glance at me.
then bent his eyes to the floor. He did
not come as near me as his predecessor
and instead OF standing erect bent
low.
i feel" he said In a hesltating voice.
''that II Is q presumption for me to
offer my unworthy hand to one so
greatly my superior, one who is known
to the world for her many admirable
traits, as well as for her beauty. When
| asked your father TO be permitted to
pay my addresses to you, I had no
hope that the little l have to offer in
those endowments priced By woman
would be acceptable to one possessing
every endowment acceptable to men.
Ii you can find Il In your heart to IA
yor my suit You will inspire me with a
confidence and happiness never felt
before"
He stood waiting with head bowed
and eyes still bent to the floor.
II assure you, Mr.. Lyons" said,
''that, far from feeling too good for
you, do not feel good enough for
you. thank you for your high opinion
of my endowments and for your most
complimentary offer. must ask you
for brief period In which to CON
slider"
Il am delighted" be said, shat you
VIII stoop even TO consider a proposal
Of one so unworthy Of you"
sighed as he went away. Two of
the three had made their proposals, one
telling me what be required in a wife,
the other what deserved In a hus-
band. The third remained to state HIS