The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-08-07
A Double
Test
BY DONALD CHAMBERLIN

l
up In his only son, Ben, who was ju
tWenty-one, an age when mating
usual, and the father was very anxi0v
lest his son should make a mesallianc
Mr.. Mathews Seniors idea of me
alliance was not solely a marriage b
tween persons Of different stations, di
ferent degrees Of refinement and a
that; 1t included the matter of incom,
or, rather, the want of income on whic
to support family. He had made
snug fortune by hard knocks and hope
that 1t might be added to when his so
| came into it by another fortune in th
possession Of his sons wife.
Its just as easy, Ben" he said to hi
son, to marry girl with means al
without. Young persons haven't an,
sense about marriage, and girls ar,
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"
AdVlce 10 young persons is usually
thrown away. When Ben met the girl
he wanted he wooed and won her. Her
rather had been well to do and had
educated her, but had lost his property
about the time his daughter was of an
age to make her debut in society. Miss
Arletta 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
MS fiancee had no fortune she was q
fortune in herself
Bens description Of Arietta had
about as much effect on his father as
ais fathers advice upon matrimonv
lad upon Ben. Mr.. Mathews saw only
ne fact that his son was about To
marry girl who had been brought up
n affiuence and had been reduced to
poverty. He told Ben that he was
making a fool Of himself and that he |
must either break his engagement or
use MS inheritance. Ben replied that |
good wife was better than q fortune
or any young man who was interested
making himself independent, and he
eclined to give up Arietta.
very well,' said the father. .'since
gu nave chosen your course for the
uture, we shall from this time live
eparate lives. l intend to take pre.
against loneliness. l shall
'ok about me for wife"
When Ben told Arietta of this she
ooked grave. She said she would
llnk the matter over She doubted if
he would do right to separate her
'ver from his father and deprive him
fortune. If Mr. Mathews married
nd had a son there would be faint
ope or Ben's ever being reconciled to
Is father, and he would surely lose his
'rtune. or at least part of it. She
lust have time for reflection as to her
uty in the matter.
The next day she told Ben to ask his
lther for means to go on a trip. to be
Osent some months. If at the end of
lat time Ben found it would not trou-
e MIN to part with his fancee he
ouid give her up; if he still preferred
er to his inheritance he would give up
le latter.
Ben told Arietta that absence would
axe no difference in his choice, but
lie declined to marry him without the
st, and he was obliged to yield. Mr..
athews was delighted with the BOYS
eclslon remarking that he had no
ca he had so much ''horse sense" He
once provided his son with the
cans for trip around the world
listing that he would be cured of his
nfatuation on his return. Ben left
rletta luGubriously, she having ex-
ted promise that he would remain
way until he received word from her
return.
mat word reached Ben four months !
ter MS departure. He hurried home
cialm Arietta and relinquish his
rtune. On his way he received a LET
from his father stating that he had
u woman with an extraordinary
Mount of practical good sense. He'll
u also been converted to the princi.
that hrst rate wife was a fortune
itse!f lie had engaged himself toll
AIRY This prodigy of practicabilitv
a was welcome to marry his fiancee
q MS father would settle on him
rd OF the estate at the time of his II
lrriage.
Sen was delighted at the prospect Of
.ting portion Of his Inheritance and
letta instead of having to give up all
J former.
zen arrived at home at 10 O'Clock IN
morning and found note from his
her asking him to come to his Office
preferred to visit Arietta first but
'ided to do as his father desired
reaching the office there sat Mr.
thews debating to a stenograpber
stenographer was Arietta. II
Ii. Mathews extended his hand tolI
son then' turning to Arietta. said.
nis Is the lady of whom wrote |
en- stood like a statue. his eyes
Q on the StaOouranAo