Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-06-10

I Ho'iu IdlucI SELECT Il IOr
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. if
the intrinsic worth Of the man is made
the chief consideration"
DO you really think 500"
II do"
"The only romance I see in this mat
ter said the poor girl thoughtfully,
sis the flowers"
Mrs. Ashurst, who could not repress
a smile at this rueful remark, gave
Mary a kiss.
Il have known this young man from
boyhood and have always had great
faith in him. 1 can heartily recon-
mend you to him."
IF l go out to him of course l must
marry him. But suppose he doesn't
like me?"
"Oh. you can't tell about that till
after you have been married for some
time. If you find out after awhile that
you don't like each other you can easily
get a divorce. Divorces are as CON-
mon as marriages nowadays, and since
the chief consideration in life is keep
ing up a show Of responsibility it is a
wonder there are not more Of them"
The lady spoke this contemptuously.
Cant I see a photograph of him."
mo, my dear. There is a reason
why you cannot, which will appear
later. Besides, it would do no good.
1t you find his appearance repulsive to
you-which you will not-and conclude
off than you are now. Indeed. you'll
be better off. In a country where your
antecedents are not known you will
not be ashamed to do anything for Il
living that is necessary. You can be
q chambermaid in a hotel, a waitress
in a restaurant, a shopgirl, a nurse
III be none of these; I'll marry your
friend if he is an OGRE"
Spoken like a brave girl. Then,
too with a smile, "think Of the flow
ers."
Il shall have the flowers. That will
be delicious, anyway"
Yes; 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.
81 j "
1t was the last day of Mary Black
more's journey to San Francisco.
During the morning a young man sit
ting near her offered her a 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
cr has the same views concerning me
that this lady has for you"
"And are you willing?' asked Mary.
Il am tempted in the matter on ac-
count Of my situation. | am a stran-
ger in a strange land. | lived in the
east, graduated at an eastern college
and came to California to seek my
fortune. I live by myself without the
city, have no mean of making social
acquaintance such as 1 have been &C.
customed to mingle with and am
lonely"
"Would you, if your mother should
find a mate for you, marry her with
out a courtship?'
Il think I would prefer at least to
meet her before marriage, but those
more experienced than I 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
nan in appearing at her best"
Mary remained thoughtful after this.
She felt that if her proposed mate was
not repulsiye to her at their first meet
ing she would suffer herself to be
guided by Mrs. Ashurst's views. marry
him and hope for the best.
I'VE have" said the young man
when the train was but a few miles
from the terminal, ''but a short time
for an explanation that / have to make
to you. Read that"
He handed her a letter addressed to
her in the we'll known writing Of Mrs.
Ashurst. 1t read:
This will 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
spoke for a few moments. Harry bent
down and kissed his betrothed. The
first words were spoken by Mary:
"Such q dear, good mother must have
a dear. good son."
Henry Ashurst, graduate Of the -
Agricultural college, aided by the
knowledge gained there of c%ultivating
plants and his wife's love for flowers.
did not remain long in the business of
a general flower supply. With capital
acquired in that way he established
n rn,~ 49,. ,-l