Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 24: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE DELMAR SISTERS. 15 ‘‘T’ve no desire to marry, Florence,’’ she said. ‘‘My books are companions enough for me, and as for you, no one can comprehend how I dread the day when you make up your mind to leave the old home—and me.”’ ‘*But why look on the gloomy side, Rose? Isn’t it natural to suppose we both may meet our fates some day? You wouldn’t have me die an old maid, I hope? There’s no scarcity of that article in Wallford. But possibly that’s be- cause there is such a limited supply of eligible men here, Such a lot of clowns as they are!”’ ‘There are worse men to be found than those who live in Wallford, Florence,’’ responded Rose, gravely; ‘‘our men may not have somuch elegance of manner or wear the same make of hats as the New York swells, perhaps, but I venture to say most of them would make better, truer hus- bands.’ ‘‘Much you know about it Goosie!’’ exclaimed Florence, with a short laugh, ‘‘but you aren’t getting personal, are you?”’ ‘And if I am?’’ ‘Then I should feel called upon to remark that you are foolishly prejudiced, without having the slightest knowl- edge of the matter. See here, do you suppose for an instant that the men you saw hovering around Dolly last summer are specimens of New York manhood? Ifso, you’re woefully misguided. Those were only her hangers-on, the sort of creatures one always finds at a summer place, good enough to bring you candy aud flowers, or to crowd around you at a dance. To play off on occasionally, or as faute de mieun. But when the right onecomes along—piff! You’ve no time to waste upon them, You've other, larger fish to fry, and Gomicbookssco