The transit of Venus

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ... could stand it no longer. One evening we went to a recital given by a new singer. When she appeared and sang 'Ah fors e lui' I was enthralled; for days after I could not banish my thoughts of her. My wife noticed my absent-mindedness and asked the reason. I, truthful to a fault, told her. "'You mean that broad-beamed girl'--ray wife came of a nautical family--'that acted like a turkey on a griddle when she sang?' "While I wouldn't admit the description, I felt that she remembered the party. "'If you want'her, ' continued my wife, 'she'll just cost you a hundred and twenty-five plunks per week. Just as soon as you make up your mind, let me know,' and out of the room she flounced, sought a lawyer and in a more than reasonable time she got her hundred and twenty-five on the ground of cruel and unusual anguish of mind. I sought out the fair singer. Her interest in me grew with the day. I asked her hand. She referred me to her mother. Her mother said, 'Yes, Nancy will marry you, but reserves the right to change her mind.' Knowing how impossible it is for any woman to alter her loving intention towards me, I acquiesced. Five nights later, I called with the engagement ring. I was met by the mother who said her daughter had a sick headache and could not be seen that night, but she left the matter in her hands, and she regretted exceedingly that Nancy would have to be released from her engagement. Of course, I could do naught but agree, and heaped execrations on the heartless mother, who no doubt bull-dozed the unhappy daughter into rejecting me." "What did you do with the engagement ring?" asked the practical Skaggs. "I carry it ever with me as a reminder of the deceit and duplicity of women--that is, one woman," hastily cor...