Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-12-28

many a woman, bored by man who
knew nothing out Of the sphere OF his
occupation, on seeing Bartlett approach
would draw him on with smile In Or
der to exchange him for her compan-
ion.
Bartlett entered the legal world as
a junior partner Of law firm, but
soon established a firm Of which he
was the head. His principal work was
In court, where he was recognized as
one of the best men at the bar to pre-
sent a case, and his eloquence gained
him an enviable reputation.
Naturally. from having been Stunned.
especially by those unmarried women
who were seeking to make a marriage
for an establishment, Bartlett came
to be considered a catch. He was not
only prominent, but making money.
While he was not interested In pun
ishing those who had shown the least
consideration for him while he had
suffered bis impeachment, 1t was but
natural that he should feel no great
affection for them. On his return to
society he found number Of young
women who had not found partners
at least partners such as they were
looking for-and among these ladies'
were several who were not abashed
at attempting to charm him. Not by
word or deed did he indicate to such
that he remembered their attempts to
shun him when other and more desira-
BILE parties were at hand.
As Bartlett advanced in his profess
sion and was known to be receiving
large fees, so did the struggle on the
part Of q number Of spinsters for his
capture increase. Nor was this strug-
gle confined to those who wished to
wed him In order to be ut the head
Of his fine home. Being man nat
urally captivating to women, there
were those who gave him their hearts
without the asking.
the social world that he had surren-
dered. 1t was whispered that a GER
tain widow who possessed large for
tune had agreed to unite her emolu-
nents with the rising fortunes Of the
intellectual attorney. Then followed
an admission on Bartlett's part that
he had become engaged, but he did not
name the lady. Society was agog to
learn II the widow was to be the bride.
and those women who had hoped for
themselves tore the said widow. fgur-
atively speaking. IN pieces.
One day it was rumored In the So
cial circle that Bartlett's cards were
out. This was not considered prob.
able, for no one Of the elite had re-
ceived them. But the suspense was
soon ended, for the cards turned out
to contain an announcement Of the
marriage Of David Bartlett and Mil
dred Gwayne.
Who was Mildred Swayne? Nobody
knew. Then some one informed some
one else that Mildred Swayne was a
teacher. To this was In time added
that she had suffered from facial
blemish that had been removed by
surgery.
Bartlett was married-there could be
no mistake about that-and since he
had sent cards only to relatives and a
few intimate friends-a very few Of
them In society-society could not call
upon his wife, and he was no longer In
the swim; he was social suicide.
And so the waves Of the social ocean
closed over the talented Bartlett. AS
to his wife. she had never been In the
swim. No one could understand why
one with such a fine future before him
could wreck It by taking nobody for
q wife. Bartlett thus stated the case
to an intimate friend:
Society was Of no use to me. Near
" every unmarried woman In 1t was
hunting for a man who could give her
the means to keep up a fictitious ap-
pearance. I wished and needed a wife
Of q different kind. My interest In life
Is confined to my home and my profess
sion. Why should l waste my time
with people who care nothing about
me and whom care nothing about?
II have married woman with
heart that is overfowing with tender
ness and sympathy. a woman who will
be not only a true friend. but a con-
genial companion as we'll, woman
whose worth can fully appreciate
and who will be faithful unto death to
the man into whose keeping she in
trusted her future life. Oh, that more
marriages were like ours!"