Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

“IT BELIEVE I'M IN LOVE.” 75 over one of this country,’’ he soliloquized, as he made his way toward the Exchange. ‘‘Nothing like it for training the voice and giving a woman the true polish. Possibly, if she had never lived abroad she would have been merely a pretty girl, but as it is, by Jove, she’s perfect. Even Dick was impressed—poor, dear old Dick who vows he doesn’t care a Snap for women. I wonder if he ever could think seriously of one? I never heard him rave so before over a ‘petticoat,’ as he calls them. It would be too funny, and yet——”’ He did not finish his sentence and for the first time in his life Arthur realized how he might learn to hate his good friend Forrest. The next afternoon he called again, and the next, until finally, even when Mr. Clayton was up and moving about the house, Arthur continued to stop and inquire religious- ly after his health. It was really surprising to note the in- terest he took in the old gentleman’s welfare. One day he heard he was on the floor of the Exchange again looking quite restored, except for a slight pallor. He immediately went up and congratulated him, but it is doubtful if he expressed any real gratification at seeing him out again. For now, what excuse had he to call? But he nevertheless inquired after his appetite and strength so solicitously that he quite won the old gentleman’s heart. ‘‘So it appears you’re the son of my friend, Irving E]l- dridge?’’ said Mr. Clayton, abruptly, the same morning, as they met for the second time that day. Arthur expected this remark from him sooner or later, and was prepared. ‘‘Yes,’? he answered, ‘‘I often heard my father speak of you, Mr. Clayton.”’ GOmMmiIichbookssco