The Two Husbands CHAPTER 4
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"Well Gray, the business is all settled," said Wilton, one day, coming into the office of the individual he addressed so familiarly.
"What business, Charles?"
"Why, I've won the rich and beautiful Miss Linton. I have just seen her old man, and he says I am welcome to the hand of his daughter. Now, is not that a long stride up the ladder! The most beautiful and attractive woman in the city for a wife — and an old daddy-in-law who is as rich as Croesus!"
"You are what some would call a lucky dog," said Wilton, with a smile.
"And yet there is no luck in it. 'Faint heart, they say, 'never won fair lady.' I knew half-a-dozen clever fellows who were looking for Miss Linton's hand; but while they hesitated, I stepped boldly up and carried off the prize. Let me alone, Walter. I'll work my way through the world."
"And I, too, have been doing something in that line."
"You? Why, Walter, you confound me! I never dreamed that you would have the courage to make love to a woman."
"Wiser ones than you are mistaken, sometimes."
"No doubt of it. But who is the fair lady?"
"Can you not guess?"
"Jane Emory?"
"Of course. She is the most sensible women it has yet been my fortune to meet."
"Has the best common sense, I suppose?"
"Exactly."
"You are a genius, Walter. When you die, I expect you will leave a clause in your will, to the effect that the undertaker shall be a man of good, plain, common sense. O dear! What adull life you will lead! Walter and Joan!"
"You are still a trifler with serious matters, Charles. But time will sober you, I trust, and do it before such a change will come too late."
"How much is old Emory worth, Walter?" Wilton asked, without regarding the last remark of his friend.
"I am sure I do not know. Not a great deal, I suppose."
"You don't know?"
"No, why should I?"
"Well, you are a queer one! It is time that you did then, let me tell you."
"Why so?"
"In the name of sense, Walter, what are you going to marry his daughter for."
"Because I love her."
"Pah! I know how much of that sort of thing appertains to the business."
"Charles!"
"Don't look so utterly dumfounded, friend Walter."
"I am surprised, and I must say pained, to hear you speak thus. Surely you love the young lady you propose to marry?"
"Of course. But then I have a decent regard for her old father's wealth; and I am by no means insensible to her personal attractions. I group all that is desirable into one grand consideration — beauty, wealth, standing, mental endowments, etc. — and take her for the whole. But for love — a mere impulse that will die of itself, if left alone — to marry a young lady! O no — I am not the simpleton for that!"
Walter Gray looked his friend in the face for a moment or two, but did not reply. He was pained, even shocked at his levity.
"You seem really to doubt my being in earnest?" said Wilton, after a pause.
"I would doubt, if I could, Charles. But I fear you are speaking out too truly, sentiments that I could not have believed you capable of entertaining."
"You are too simple and unsophisticated to live in this world, my old friend Walter Gray."
"And long may I remain so," was the calm response, "if to be honest and sincere — is to be simple and unsophisticated."
"Well, good day to you, and success to your love-marriage."
And so saying, Charles Wilton left the office of his friend.
A few weeks more passed away, and the two young men had, in the meantime, consummated their matrimonial engagements. The wedding of Charles Wilton and Cara Linton was a splendid affair, followed by parties and entertainments for five or six weeks. That of Walter Gray and Jane Emory, passed off more quietly and rationally.
Three months after their wedding-day, let us look in upon the two friends and their fair partners; and first, upon Charles Wilton and his bride. The time is evening, and they are sitting alone in one of their richly furnished parlors.
"O dear!" yawned out Wilton, rising and walking backwards and forwards, "this is dull work. Is there no place where we can go and spend a pleasant evening?"
"I don't know, dear. Suppose we step over and see father?"
"O no. We were there two or three evenings ago. And, anyhow, I am in no humor for playing at draughts."
"Well, I would like to go there this evening. I want to see mother about something."
"You can easily go tomorrow, Cara, and stay as long as you choose."
"But I would like to go tonight, dear."
"Don't think of it, Cara."
"Then suppose we call in, and sit an hour with the Melton's?"
"Not tonight, Cara. The old man is deaf, and talks you out of all patience about sugars and teas, cotton and tobacco."
"But the girls are lively and entertaining."
"Not for me, Cara. Think again."
"Why not stay at home?"
"And what shall we do here?"
"I'll sing and play for you."
"I am in no humor for music tonight."
His young wife sighed, but Wilton did not notice it.
"Come, let us go over to the Grogans." he at length said.
"I can't say that I care much about going there," his wife replied.
"Of course not. You never seem to care much about going where I wish to," said Wilton, pettishly.
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