Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-02-06

/ would like to be Rufus Grim s
friend, but he will not pernit me.
He does everything he can to in
fuence my cousin, Helen Goodwin
against me, but in this he is not
succeeding. She is my friend, and
so is Ruth billiard" said he with
ambition. "By the way, sup
pose you know that Mrs. Grim is
very illY"
mo" said Fred, "I hal not
heard of it,
eyes, she has never been very
strong and / understand her pres
ent sickness is of a very serious
nature. She is many yeads older
than her pompous lord and master
and it would not be surprising to
hear of her death at any time. Per
sonally, I should regret it, not on
ly on account Of my relationship
but also on account of Helen. J
dread to think what might happier
if my aunt should die
"You do not regard her lines
as being as grave as that, dc
you?"
"1he case looks serious" re
piled Boast, without removing hi
eyes from the cheerful fire and the
red Goals on the hearth. "I would
like to go and see her, but I pre-
sumo Rufus Grim would not al
low me in the house."
"Wlat I most desired to say"
continued Boast, Frightening up
and putting aside the theme of his
aunt s indisposition, Sis this; l
want you for my friend, and
would like to be yours"
For a moment Fred was quite at
a loss to know what to say, and
made no reply. After a pause that
threatened to become embarrassing
he said: IT could certainly do no
less, Mr.. Boast, than to meet you
half way, | am sure, in such an am
bition. "
"Ambitionl'' said Boast. ga
detestable word. I sometimes think
ambition has been the cause of all
my undoing. / have wanted.
wealth all my life, and have never
Succeeded to any great extent.
ought to be in Waterville now sell
ling town lots. There's great activ-
lily down there. / have the inclina-
ton, but not the strength. You
Imay not know it, but my health is
seriously impaired, | seem to lack
| vitality"
4 Fred expressed sympathy, but
Boast failed to nstice his remarks
"If a man has clearly defined
principle in life to follow, why
can't he adhere to itq" he asked
after a short silence.
81 think he cam" replied Fred
tin my Judgment no life has ever
been a success unless a well defined
rule of action-as to policy, moi
details first laid out and then
lived up to.2
Eyes" replied Boast, "the rule
of life is one thing, but working
out the DEATHS, that is where thu
rub comes in. Women should have
precepts to follow as well as men
perhaps they have, but they soor
become a mess of piecework.
"Do you know" continued
Boast, turning his eyes from tn,
burning Goals Of the CRATE, and lool
ing coolly at Fred, "that some
} times I have an idea Of marrying
Ruth billiard? I fully made VI
my mind to do so the other night
but the following morning, befor
finishing my toilet, / changed m.
: mind, and decided to marry IN.
$ cousin, Helen Goodwin. 1t is al
{ open question with me whether
/, man is comforting any special fav
Y or upon a woman when he Marie
< her"
I Fred flushed at the mention o
! Ruth's name, and the vulgar pre-
e sumption of Boast. However
: Boast had drawn the thorn almos
: as soon as he had thrust it into hi
: flesh, ad he remained silent littl
e while. Boast looked at him. as i
$ he expected a reply
t Finally looking up Fred said !:
"There are three paths, MI
I Boast, for every life in the crucia
e moment Of indecision. One lie
a along the highway Of domesticitJ
ond &c ,.actf,,I r,aooaf,1l NAV.