The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-05-21
On the Horns Of
a Dilemma
He Was Obliged to Sit Be-
tween Them.
By F. A. mitchell

among rich persons are marriages OF
convenience and without love. That
Is not the case. Miss Anita De Roode
and l are lovers; we are rich, and / ex-
pect to marry her. l admit that there
has yet been no formal engagement.
That Is because Miss De Roode has not
made up her mind. Whether her
hesitation comes from doubt that she
loves me well enough to marry me or
whether she Is looking for man Of
prominence as well us wealth l don't
know. for she has not told me.
went to Lenox yesterday, where
Miss De RoOde lives. and begged her
to give me final answer, The spring
Is on, and spring is the season for love.
We walked out in the spacious grounds
surrounding the De Roode mansion. and
so fragrant was the air, SO enhancing
the lances Of sunlight piercing the
branches on which the leaves were
sprouting. so delicious were the songs
of the birds. that it seemed to me If
she loved me she could not help re-
spending to my impassioned words.
Nevertheless | returned to the city
disappointed. | was not refused. l was
still held in doubt. Anita admitted
that she preferred me to any other man
and did not tell me that her feeling for
me was pot love. But she would not
promise to marry me. | suppose must
possess my soul I'm patience. If l were
poor or not even very rich would con-
slider myself dismissed. but there are
nowadays so few of us millionaire
bachelors who have anything except
our wealth TO recommend us that
when passably refined chap like my
self asks Il girl to marry him she at
least hesitates before turning him
down.
l had letter from Chesborough this
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is in Rome
about man he met there who Is COM
ing to New York; second son or some
thing like that Of an earl. with an
elder brother dying OF u lingering dis
ease. Chesborough has given the fell
low letter of introduction to me and
wants me to put him into my set.
1on't see how | am to do so without
citing 1t be known that he Is a noble
man. and Chesborough says that he
wishes to remain incOg. Doesn't want
to be fawned on. l suppose.
Chesborough's friend, Chichester,
called at the club today and inquired
Tor me. ! was there. as l usually am.
after p. M. and put him up with
ticket for two weeks. | hope
he'll do the same for me when 60 to
London. but the L.ondoner has con-
venience In his club in house rule
that no stranger IL to be received.
However. Chichester seems to be
good fellow. and | am fond Of Ches-
borough and glad to oblige him.
Chichester says he doesn't care to
know many people, only n few Of my
intimate friends. He positively de-
Zines to be introduced us anything but
plain English gentleman OF the mid
lie class. | have taken him with me
70 the Ashtons and the Spencers and
have arranged for Il week end at
I.enox with the De Roodes. He tells
ne that the income his father allows
him is not sufficient to return favors
rom multimillionaires. and this is the
'eason for his incog.
Just returned from the De Roodes. |
having left Chichester there to con-
:inue his visit for few days. Anita
seems much pleased with him.
Three weeks have passed since Chi |
chester came to New York and | intro |
iuced him to Anita. He has passed |
he principal part Of that time at |
lenox. What it means l can't imagine
lnless he has admitted to Anita his |
IDENTIFY. | could ask him If he has |
lone so. or could ask the question of |
Ter. But | shall ask neither If they |
Wish to make match they will not
ind me a dog in the manger.
What | have been looking for has
happened. Received q note this morn.
ne from Anita announcing her engage
nent with Chichester. She doesn't say
hat she prefers him to me or me 10
lin. OF course he has told her that he
= very near I'M earldom. and she ex-
'ects me to understand that Is the rea.
on why he has supplanted me without
Ter saying so. Ii is certainly very
.ood and practical reason. and | have
10 protest to make.
] had scarcely read the letter when
n came Chichester for my congratu
atlons. | managed to give them. af.
Getting some warmth. but It certainly
vas difficult. He expressed himself in
ebted to me for life that I had intro
uced him to so admirable woman.
hen troubled expression came over
is face when he said
but how am | to bear the expenses
tending on engagement with one
whose position In the American social
World Is so exalted? My income is to-
ally inadequate"
I believed that when his brother died
@ would have all the money he need
4 and could repay n loan. but OF course
couldn't say so. ] simply told him
hat 1t wouldn't trouble me at all to let