Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-09-02


"Just the thing for you. I have
written the young man that I have
exactly what be wants. But Tn
afraid youTl have to take leap IN the
dark. He can't afford to come across
the continent to court a girl ana go
back again. possibly. without her"
.Oh. dearr' exclaimed Mary. catch
ing her breath.
Il would rather select husband for
my daughter than have her select one
for herself. I mean by that that the
average girl would have a better
chance for happiness in her parents
selection than in her own-that is. II
the intrinsic worth Of the man Is made
the chief consideration"
DO you really think so?"
II do"
THE only romance see In this mat
ter" said the poor girl thoughtfully,
''is the flowers"
Mrs. Ashurst, who could not repress
a smile at this rueful remark. gave
Mary kiss /.
81 have known this young man from
boyhood and have always had great
faith In him. l can heartily recon-
mend you to him"
IF go out to him Of course / must
marry him. But suppose he doesn't
like meT'
"Oh, you can't tell about that till
after you have been married for some
time. II you find out after awhile that
-a,, 5o,s< I,lza oaoh othar roS, ~ :, On silly
get a divorce. Divorces are as COM
mon as marriages nowadays, and since
the chief consideration In life Is keep
ing up a show Of responsibility 1t is
wonder there are not more of them"
The lady spoke this contemptuously.
Cant see photograph Of himT
mo, my dear. There Is a reason
why you cannot, which will appear
later. Besides, 1t would do no good
II you find his appearance repulsive to
you-which you VIII not-and conclude
not to marry him you'll be no worse
Off than you are now. Indeed. you'll
be better of. In country where your
antecedents are not known you viii
not be ashamed to do anything for a
tIdl ID nNNGSs1iys 8Vo NHL DV
a chambermaid In hotel. waitress
in a restaurant. shopgirl, nurse
"I'll be none of these; I'll marry your
friend If he is an ogre"
Spoken like a brave girl Then.
too" with smile. think of the flow-
ers."
81 shall have the flowers. That viii
be delicious, anyway"
Eyes; you will have the flowers. And
remember that while a romance will
fade forever the flowers continue In
endless succession"
And the good lady kissed her again.
It was the last day Of Mary Black.
more's journey to San Francisco
During the morning young man sit
ting near her offered her book to
read. and later the two fell into con-
versation. Mary's meager account Of
the reasons for her having come to
California apparently excited the
young mans curiosity so far that he
took pains to get the story. Indeed.
she longed for some one to tell it to In
order that she might get sympathy.
singular" he remarked: my moth
er has the same views concerning me
that this lady has for you"
"And are you willingT asked Mary.
81 am tempted In the matter on &C
count Of my situation. I am a stran-
ger In q strange land I lived In the
east, graduated at an eastern college
and came to California to seek my
fortune. live by myself without the
| city, have no means Of making social
acquaintances such as have been &C
customed to mingle with and am
lonely"
would you. II your mother should
find a mate for You. marry her With
out a courtshipY
II think 1 would prefer at least to
meet her before marriage, but those
more experienced than l tell me that
a courtship Is a continued effort on the
part Of two persons each to make the
other believe he or she Is perfection,
| with the advantage on the side Of the
woman. who Is more adept than the
man in appearing at her best"
Mary remained thoughtful after this.
She felt that If her proposed mate was
not repulsive to her at their first meet
ing she would suffer herself to be
guided by Mrs Ashursts views, marry
him and hope for the best
I'VE have" said the young man
when the train was but few miles
from the terminal. but a short time
for an explanation that have to make
to you. Read that"
He handed her letter addressed to
her In the well known writing Of Mrs
Ashurst. 1t read:
This viii be handed you by my son.
Henry. whom you are going to meet
What is for your good is also for his
May you be happy together.
Mary looked up from the letter to
the face of Harry Ashurst, which
beamed with satisfaction. Neither
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