The Cairo bulletin., 1907-06-26


ley's host, Ben
son. seemed surprised, nevertheless
We'll. you don't tell mel he ex
claimed. who's the grip"
II don't think I'm quite at liberty q
mention her name, said Gilpley. =
suppose you'll find out In time. !
think he's rather q chump, don't
you?"
Il don't see why" said Benson,
who's a married man himself.
We'll. he's got plenty OF time for
that sort Of thing five or six years
from now, should think"
.Rotis said Benson. If he ever
intends doing ii he might as well do
1t now as five years from now.
Il suppose that's true in a way
said Gilpley, land yet % is pretty
young"
Il took him to be older than that,
Benson. I'D have guessed him to be
Is or 26. But % isn't too young if he s
got the right kind Of girl"
eOh. the girls all right said Clip
ley. I'm fact. one trouble is with her.
She thinks Harry is too young she
thinks they ought 10 wait. I--er-l
think they ought to. perhaps, too.
She's pretty levelheaded the girl is.
Nonsense said Benson. In the
first place. she don't mean IT, She's
Just bluffing, and if she did mean Il
she wouldn't really know what she
was talking about And she'll nave
more good, solid happiness Ii she mar
ries him now than If she puts II on
until they're both gray-headed. Ihat
is. Of course, If he is (and think he
Isl the right kind Of fellow and she
is the right kind Of girl
He's got his faults, but he'd try to
be decent" said Gilpley, and you can
bet there's no discount on her"
Well. then. there you are" said
Benson, with wave Of his cigar
What more would you want to start
with? / suppose you've been trying to
dissuade him."
"Yes-not exactly. said Giipley
II don't want to see him make an ass
of himself. of course, but | think
good deal of him aud | wouldn't want
him TO back out on my account ii 1t
was the best thing for him to do.
That's my position"
What | can't see is why you think
II wouldn't be best for him." said
Benson.
We'll. he's just starting out in life
and sometimes it stands in a young
mans way to have wife and family
hampers him, you know.
You express yourself like a cheese
sandwich, Gilpley,' said Benson, with
some heat. Il thought you had more
good red blood in you.
Keep your coat on, Benson" said
the young man I'm not really argu-
ing against It. I'm trying to get your
ideas on the subject. ! don't pretend
to know, and Harry knows less about
1t than do. There's another point,
ana it's a rather important one, and
that's the question Of whether he can
afford 1t. He's not getting a very
large salary"
How much?" asked Benson.
Il don't know whether he'd want
me TO tell 1t. but in confidence he's
only drawing out $3.50 month"
Loads"
"Eh?"
PLENTY why. man. that's plain az
fuence. How much do YOU think the
average couple gets married on?'
Il don't know. I'm sure replied
Gupley. but it seemed to me that it
was pretty small think man ought
to be careful You think they could
get along on that2"
I'm LET you into a secret, my
boy" said Benson. when / got mar.
ried three years ago I was pulling ont
less than that. and don't think we
have ever suffered.
"You don't tell me thati"
That's the truth, said Benson. IN
Ell YOU. Harry won't be able to give
any very swell dinner parties or have
a box for the season when grand opera
comes: he won't be able TO smoke Is
cent cigars or anything Of that sort,
but he can live comfortably and carry
a little insurance TO keep his mind
easy and put by little for a rainy
day at that Why, | wouldn't take a
million for the pleasure TN get in later
life from the recollection Of our little
economies and sacrifices They
haven't been sacrifices. though. It's
been fun for the most part"
Gilpey's face slowly expanded into
4 broad grin He threw his cigar into
the hearth and rose and solemnly
shook has hosts hand
Benson" he said. 4 want you to do
me a favor. You come around and
talk that way to Harry to oblige me.
He hasn't given me a moments peace
with his practical advice and his fool
objections since first confded in him
that ! was engaged.
Benson smiled wisely. DO you
want me II talk 10 Miss CHAMPION.
too" be asked
You're on, said Gilpey. But I
wont trouble sou 10 that extent Now
you've given me a few pointers. III
try to convince her myself Chicago
(