The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-01-08
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ADVICE FOR JOAN
BY H. LOUIS RAYBOLD


ry-fhe poor, beloved young man or
the rich young man whom she respect
ed and liked and might, in time, come
10 love.
There had come into her life two
men One. young Milton Arnold. son
OF The president of the local cotton
mills.
The other, Barry Mason, principal
OF the school where she taught.
Milt would inherit thousands. Barry
mad an invalid mother dependent on
MN and principalships are seldom
stepping stones 10 a fortune.
In burst of confidence, she told
her mother all about it. They've both
asked 10 marry me-" she confessed.
But | don't KNOW don't know"
Fer mother watching Joan's lovely,
downcast face, did not wonder that she
was desired Of two men.
Joan" she said suddenly, why
don't you spend your vacation with
Aunt Carol? Go away from both
these estmable young men and think
things out for yourself"
I'm afraid" said Joan, that If |
do thar, III surely want Milt Just a
glimpse of that sort Of life"
AS you like" said her mother in
differently.
IN the end, Joan went TO Boston.
She was met at the station by her
aunts brown limousine and brown
suited chauffeur. She was driven to
the solemn -fronted house
in Back Bay: then shown to her room
and told by a precise white-capped
maid that her aunt would be home ar
five.
AT five promptly, Aunt Carol magni-
feentiy furred and gowned, came hur-
rying into the room and took Joan
in her arms.
Your mother wrote me-" she said
archly, that you've run away from
two ardent admirers. And meanwhile.
we must see that you have the finest
time"
Not even Sally Arnold. Mills deb
utante sister. could have whirled
through more gaiety than did Joan in
the following DAYS
Dinners, dances, Iuncheons. shopping
tours, opera-it was a wonder if
either Barry or Milt were ever spared
3 thought.
And yet. lying in the exquisiteIy-
draped four poster. Joan's thoughts
nightly travelled home This sort of
life would he hers forever if she mar
ried Milt- If she married Barry-weII,
OF course. ii was absurd TO think she
would know abject poverty or anything
remotely approaching it. What she
would know would be doing her own
household tasks. careful, economy, do
ing without this 10 obtain that. and, if
there should be a family, a constant
speculation as to where dentist bills,
music lessons and college educations
were coming from.
Joan didn't see a great deal OF her
aunt Once introduced TO the bevy of
young people that were daughters and
sons of her aunt's friends. she was
swept along without effort on her part
on the surge of various social activ-
tiles.
II WIS the last night of her stay that
Aunt Carol came into her room as she
was undressing before the coy little
fire that burned in the crate
Have you settled that momentous
question Of yours?" she asked with a
smile.
Joan shook her head.
Il take il for granted" went on her
aunt, that both are fine young men.
and thar their incomes being equal
Joan. do you love one of them?"
A rosy flush suffused the sweet con-
tours Of Joan's face. II think So"
she con fessed.
Her aunt came over and laid a hand
heavy with shining rings on Joan's
slender shoulder Take the one You
love. Joan. II it's the rich one-weIl
and good. If the poor one-take him.
Life brings hardships and disappoint-
ments that only love will Withstand.
You see. know" She paused. then
went on graveIy. I'm going TO tell
you little secret. Joan. once had
the same decision TO make that you
have. loved poor young man and
] married the rich one. I haven't been
altogether unhappy, but | stepped in
20 somebody else's life and have new
er had time TO live my own. I'd swan
my limousine. house and position in
society for a sweet young thing ike
yourself and all the joys you are 60
ing To bring your mother-a good SON.
inIaw. grandchildren and" she leaned
down and kissed her pretty niece and
departed.
JOan's father met her at the station
in the old car that had TO be cranked
before If would go. Hope life with
the piutscrats hasn't spoiled your
Uaste for home. Joannie." he grinned.
Between you and me. | owe your
Aunt Carol lot | was once quite
sweet on her bur she turned me down
for a young man with a million. II
she hadn't. I should never have GOT
your mother"
Joan said "Yes" to Barry that very
evening. Its love that counts, she
told him gravely. Life brings many
hardshipS that only love can with
stand Better marry a poor young
man"
But Barry, who did not realize what
II was all about. shook her gently by
her slender shoulders I'm not so darn
poor Joan." he said "And I'm due
for raise next year," And he won
dered. as he took her in his arms. at
the funny little smile that fingered on
Joan's cupid-bow lips.