The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-08-22

out of this scrape very well. and that
ought to satisfy me. So she did not
stay away on my account after all. y
But Laura is an exceedingly pretty
name" he began; Il like the sound of
it. Why do you smile. Miss Rich
mond? Do / really see in your face
that you cannot return the compli-
ment?" sl3A saH ssn
Il was not thinking of that" said
Laura; but the beauty or ugliness of
a mere sound can be but matter of
opinion"
Dick is an ugly name evidently in
your opinion" shoas
1T is not so very; like it rather
better than Richard
Like it rather better than Rich
ard repeated Dick, laughing. well,
when naturally bashful and modest
man goes out of his way to say civil
thing. / think, do think, he ought to
l. MET in spirit Of sa
Reciprocity" suggested Laura.
Eyes. Rather an ugly name, is it?
Perhaps you think me rather an ugly
NO." said Laura, looking at him as
if to consider the subject for the first
time, Il think you are ratl er hand
some" And a smile of amusement
lighted up her whole face. "
Dick having made a blunder, had
no answer ready; but when he saw
that Laura was actually laughing, he
burst into a laugh also, and said,
Laura, you're laughing at ME"
of course [ was" said Laura. L
was wondering what you were to do
about the reciprocity. -
If you made your last speech with
malice aforethought, and merely to get
me into scrape"-
Nothing of the sort. [ made it In
the in. ,rests of truth and sincerity"
And pray, said Dick, Sill not
master of the situation, "do you think
there is anything in your face or figure
to prevent man from thinking you
handsome if he ehooses?"
Yes, think there is want of beauty
to prevent it. -
well" said Dick, rallying, after
short pause, II shall not feel in this
case that any reciprocity would be
come me, because the look you gave
me when you made that civil speech
took away all its value. 1t was, in
deed, with a most matter of fact, con !
fessed carelessness that you gave your
verdict.!ussg q ~ - q g.'s "1'' -
why should I have affected to
care, said Laura, about matter that
is of. no consequence at all? Beauty
signifies nothing to man; he can get
on just as well without tin fact, I
think better m
How sop
A plain man takes more pains to
make himself agreeable.
More pains than | do?"
Il Fever saw you take pains to be
agreeable, and pleasing, attentive, but
to one lady"
Dick was rather alarmed; he count
ed over all the young ladies in his
mind, Laura included.
''Indeedr" he exclaimed, ''and that
was''
My mother" said Laura.
" Well, answered Dick, as if in
apology for himself. she is the most
charming old lady possible
And there again is reciprocity. [
have heard her make very fattering
remarks about you, and say that you |
were charming"
THAT must have been in answer to |
something disparaging that you had
said
"No," said Laura, laughing, II had
not SO much as mentioned you"
But when she made that sensible |
remark, you agreed with her. You
said. Yes, mamma; so he is.
Why, no" said Laura, II didn't"
why not?" asked Dick, audacious-
ly.
Some people are acute replied |
Laura; .'they observe the motives of |
those about them; not" she added, |
that any special acuteness was need |
ed in such case as this
To RE CoNTINTrED I