Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-02-18
THE WAY TO A
MANS HEART

John Bolles was what is known as
a confirmed old bachelor. but after
becoming a regular visitor at the de-
lightful suburban home of the lovely
Gridley girls. presided over by their
widowed mother. II gradually grew
= N to Bolles that the life offered
IT, the hotels and clubs did not salts
" he homing Instincts Of the human
,art.
The girls we're beauties, and love
~ beauty was one of Bolles' weak
POINTS.
He was fortunate enough to bssk in
the good graees of Mrs. Gridley. a
splendid woman from whom the
daughters inherited their good looks.
A rich bachelor of good family,
good habits and good breeding, who
tells a sufficiently pitifull story Of the
monotony Of hotel cooking and the
loneliness Of taking ones meals with
only newspaper for a companion, is
sure to appeal TO the sympathies OF
some home maker, and Bolles became
privileged family friend, at liberty to
drop in at meals and Join the home
circle informally. Mrs. Gridley was
an ideal hostess. and withal she knew
how to cook and personally superln-
terded the culinary details OF her
household. Bolles was something OF
an epicure, and the viands which ap-
peared on Mrs. Gridley's table ex-
oelled anything his favorite club had
to offer.
In consideration of these hospltall-
ties Bolles feted the girls at exclusive
siuhs and INDUCED them in motor
rides and operas. The younger men
co iin't keep up with him in these
~ srs. and, in spite of inevitable riv-
{ he felt that he had a reasonable
nee with the Gridley girls. His
s. of honor restrained him from
, + ing marked attention to any one
80 nese young maidens without first
ming their mothers sanction, and
1tended, as soon as his wavering
couId-fx itself, to ask the ma
permission to press his suit for
aid OF his choice But, owing to
qpricious distribution among the
of the especial points Of beauty
onod as appealing. most strongly
susceptibllities. he found it ex-
10y difficult to locate his heart.
5--.Ts eyes played havoc with his
and he framed a little speech to
tei.vered to Mrs. Gridley at an op-
-hne moment 1t began in this
Mrs. Gridley, l have a most i'm.
5.ant question to ask. Do you think
~ could +earn to care for me?"
e went so far as to deliver the
+, part Of this address, with some
5usness. The mother dropped
IT, ghite lids, and, as he was gather
s { rourage to put the question. his
artistic eye was begulled by the sweet
ness Of her mouth and the clear line
o; her chin, and his shallow heart
stIaightway turned to Jane, who had
that same mouth and chin in its per-
SectiOn. In his sudden indecision, and
icing obliged to conclude his remark.
he asked. May have your recipe for
mincemeat for my sister in Buffalo?'
On still another occasion, when,
with a dry tongue he had tried to con-
fess to her his love for Ruth, the lady
turned the clear, green-gray eyes Of
Sally full upon him, and he was lost
again and ridiculously begged to be
allowed to partake of baked beans
with the family on the coming Satur-
day evening. He knew she must have
thought him a fearful gourmand to be
SO affected by the prospects OF plate
Of beans, but that was the only sub
stltute his panic-stTicken intellect
could make.
In desperation he resolved to begin
all over again. with Sally as his
hearts desire.
One evening at the Gridley's, after
dinner which fingered in his men,
ory, Mrs. Gridley and Bolles were sit
ting alone by the cheerful library FIRE.
The girls had gone skating with roi-
licking crowd. Their mother was en-
gagged with a bit Of needlework be-
meath the softly shaded lamp, and her
guest was absently regarding her. He
was wondering il she could make a
chicken pie like that which even now
Lss.iled his memory. He was sure
she could not. Suddenly he became
aware that he was earnestly studying
the lace of his hostess as she bent
over her sewing. For the FIRST time he
seemed to see her with an Identity Of
her own, instead Of a beautiful COM
ro4i'e of her daughters. The sudden
revelation that came to him caused
the blood TO leave his head with a
queer cooling on process. and he felt
a strange caimness and clearness OF
vision. Then the blood came leaping
back and his heart began to pound.
Mrs. Gridley," he began in agita-
ton. Dear Mrs. Gridley, at last I
know what / want"
II think ] can guess" she laughed
and Bolles noted a tinge OF bitterness
in the laugh. "You want to help US
with the fish cakes Sunday morning. ."
The shaft went home and Bolles
knew 1t was merited.
Dearest Margaret" he said hum
bly,, II deserve that hut even your
discernment has not fathomed the ex.
tent OF my desire ! want to help
with the nan cakes every morning!"
And the-seRthg work was cast ruth
leRsly aside.
When the girls came home, breezy
and gigEling. they seemed very young
Indeed and positively tiresome. They
Were not in the least surprised to hear
thst Mr. Bolles was going to marry
AdIr mother. II was evident they had
considered him all along as her ad
nirer. And 80 he had been, but it had
taken him some time to wake up to
II. How the lady herself had reg rd.