Marion Marlowe's Triumph, or, In Spite of Her Enemies — page 32: what you’re looking at

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30 much better judges of what is good for you than you are, and, if they object to his seeing you, we advise you to.give him up and wait until you are a few years older before you plunge again into affairs of the heart. ‘IT made the acquaintance of a young man at the seashore last summer, and yesterday he pro- posed to meand I accepted him. Now, while I have a deep affection for him, I really do not know anything about his family or standing or character. Would it be improper for me to make inquiries about these things? Iam all alone in the world, so I ask you for your advice. ‘‘Besstm C, RL” You would be quite right to make the inquiries you suggest. Some-of the most engaging and apparently lovable men we have met were born rascals. No woman should tie herelf to a man for life unless she is sure that he is worthy of her. Find out all you ean about your lover’s position in business and in social circles, whether his past record is clean, and whether his habits are such that you can be sure that your married life will be a happy one. We do not believe that the question of family is a very important one, as you are marrying him and not his relatives, but it may be important if there is a possibility of your residing with them or they with you. All these questions should be decided to your satis- faction before there is any formal announcement of the engagement. Thenif you should be obliged to break it off because your lover proved to be undesirable in any way there would be no chance for idle gossip regarding it. _ “Tam engaged to one of the best fellows in the world, big-hearted, generous and kindly, and I love him dearly. He has one bad habit that wor- ries me dreadfully. Once in a while he will drink too much. He never means to, and he is always _repentant afterward, and I know he tries hard not to drink, but he gets out with other men and they persuade him. I would like to help him to break away from this viee, but I don’t know how to goabout it. Won’t you please let me know of some way to cure him, Macaig ©,” Your lover does not seem to be vicious, but only easily led. Talk the matter over with him and show him how he is injuring you as well as himself. Show him how every dollar spent for liquor postpones your wedding-day just 80 much more. Ask him if you are not worth more to him than the companionship of his drinking friends. If your persuasions are not of more weight with him than theirs, you may be sure he does not love you as much as he does the wine glass, Under no circumstances marry him until he has iven up the habit entirely and for a long time, ii he can be cured of the vice at all, your plead- +-og3 und your refusal to wed him will effect it. “Thereis a young man who is making love to me.and he writes me the strangest letters, He calls me his ‘queen,’ and talks about my ‘starry ‘sense enough to put his thoughts into plain é MY QUEEN. eyes,’ ‘pearly teeth,’ ‘coral ears,’ ‘velvet lips’ and all that sort of thing. Do you suppose he really means it or is he just trying to make an. im pres- 8i0n on me? Please let me know, for I don’t know what to think of him. Diana B, R.” A young woman with stars for eyes, pearls for teeth, coral for ears and a mouth made of velvet would be a curiosity for a dime museum. No—we don’t think the young man means it—if he did he | would be a fit candidate fora lunatic asylum. — Probably he is trying to impress you with the idea that he thinks you are perfect, but has not English. - ‘‘For three yearsI have been deeply attached to a young man nearly ten years my junior. Ide — not look my thirty summers, and am frequently | < taken for twenty-five, while he is old in his man- — ners, and no one would guess that he was just past twenty-one. Now he wants me to marry him, and I am half inclined to do so, but am afraid that the difference in our ages might lead to unhappiness. Do you think that he would be happy with a wife so much older than himself? . “Rose M.” You are wise to consider this matter very care- fully before you marry. While you may be very — attractive now you must remember that you will _ grow old much faster than he will. When youare — past middle age he will. be justin the prime of life. Whether the charm of your companionship will then be a tie strong enough to hold him isa serious question. Few men of twenty-one really know their own minds. If there is nothing to be gained by marriage, why not continue as you are and wait fora few years until you are sure that his affection is steadfast. ‘‘Age has heauty for age, but gay youth loves gay youth.’ We would advise you to delay the matter for the present and let it work out its own course. The young man may find that the society of those | nearer his own age is mote agreeable, and then — you will be glad that you had not tied him fast to yourself. ¥ “Tam in deep trouble and have noone te ; whom I can turn for advice. All my life I have | been a ‘flirt.’ There has never been any man that ; I cared a snap of my finger for, and I have treited them all frivolously—so frivolously that IT — have not retained a single man friend. Now [ 7 have formed a deep affection foraman Il met recently, but Lam afraid he has heard how badly I have treated other men, for he treats mevery | coldly, and TIT cannot seem to gain his attention for a moment. What can I do to redeem my — reputation and convince him that I am in earnest | this time? ‘Lizzie K. H, You have made a sorry mistake, indeed, For a girl to forgét her womanhood and play with men is a grievous error. No one can retaina man’s respect unless she retains her self-respect, You are now being repaid in your own coin for the pain you have caused others. If you are really sincere in your repentance and are posi- | tive that you haye a deep affection for this man, Eomichooks;com