The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-07-02
A Double
Test
BY DONALD CHAMBERLIN

MARK Mathews, a widower, was bount
up In his only son, Ben, who was jus
twenty-one, an age when mating II
usual, and the father was very anxious
lest his son should make a mesalliance
Mr.. Mathews Seniors idea Of mes
alliance was not solely marriage be
tween persons of different stations, diff
ferent degrees of refinement and all
that; it included the matter of income
or, rather, the want of income on which
to support family. He had made a
snug fortune by hard knocks and hoped
that 1t might be added to when his son
came into 1t by another fortune in the
possession Of his sons wife.
''Its just as easy, Ben" he said to his
son, ito marry girl with means as
without. Young persons haven't any
sense about marriage. and girls are
caught by trifles. Till they are older
they don't usually realize the differ
ence between what they call love In a
cottage" and love in stone front resi-
dence. The way for you to do is to
refrain from getting mixed up with a
poor girl and to cultivate the rich
ones"
Advice to young persons is usually
| thrown away. When Ben met the girl
he wanted he wooed and won her. Her
father had been well to do and had
educated her, but had lost his property
about the time his daughter was of an
H. Inb,, to-
Arietta Borland was fine character,
and SO long as she remained unmarried
would be abundantly able to make her
living Ben In announcing his engage
ment to his father told him that though
his fiancee had no fortune she was a
fortune in herself.
Ben's description of Arietta had
about as much effect on his father as
his fathers advice upon matrimony
had upon Ben. Mr.. Mathews saw only
the fact that his son was about to
marry a girl who had been brought up
poverty. He told Ben that he was
making a fool of himself and that he
must either break his engagement or
lose his inheritance. Ben replied that
a good wife was better than a fortune
for any young man who was interested
in making himself independent, and he
declined to give up Arietta.
VERY WELL" said the father, "since
you have chosen your course for the
future, we shall from this time live
separate lives. / intend to take pre-
cautions against loneliness. l shall
look about me for wife"
When Ben told Arietta of this she
looked grave. She said she would
think the matter over. she doubted IL
she would do right to separate her
lover from his father and deprive him
Of fortune. II Mr.. Mathews married
and had a son there would be faint
hope OF Ben's ever being reconciled to
his father. and he would surely lose his
fortune, or at least part of 1t. She
must have time for reflection as to her
duty in the matter.
The next day she told Ben to ask his
father for means to go on trip, to be
absent some months. II at the end Of
hat time Ben found 1t would not trou-
lie him to part with his fancee he
would give her up; II he still preferred
Ter to bis inheritance he would give up
he latter.
Ben told Arietta that absence would
make no difference In his choice, but
he declined to marry him without the
est, and he was obliged to yield. Mr..
was delighted with the boys
Iecision, remarking that he had no
dea he had so much horse sense" He
t once provided his son with the
means for trip around the world,
rusting that he would be cured OF his
fatuation'' on his return. Ben left
Irietta lugubriously, she having ex-
cted a promise that he would remain
way until he received word from her
D return.
That word reached Ben four months
fter his departure. He hurried home
, claim Arietta and relinquish his
ortune. On his way he received let
n from his father stating that he had
et a woman with an extraordinary
mount Of practical good sense. He
ad also been converted to the princi-
e that a flrst rate wife was fortune
itself He had engaged himself to
AIRY this prodigy Of practicability.
en- was welcome to marry his fiancee,
Id his father would settle on him a
Iird of the estate at the time of his
arriage.
Ben was delighted at the prospect OF
'tting a portion of his Inheritance and
rietta instead of having to give up all
e former.
Ben arrived at home at 10 O'Clock in
e morning and found note from his
Their asking him to come to his office.
IN preferred to visit Arietta first. but
cided to do as his father desired
D reaching the Office there sat MIR.
athews debating to a stenographer.
le stenographer was Arietta.
Mr.. Mathews extended his hand to
son. then, turning to Arietta. said:
This is the lady OF whom / wrote
u"
Ben stood like a statue. his eyes
ed on the stenographer. Could 1t be
at she had deserted him for his IA
err? She answered the question by
rowing herself into Ben's arms.
70 man likes to find himself fooled.
!. Mathews found it hard to smile at
} imposition his sons hancee had
acticed on him. but he finally did so