Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-08

6 Yes, she is a hard working little devil
enough" said Dawlish, in that disrespect-
ful tone which some men affect towards,
or rather about, women. "She keeps that
Old blister of mother of hers in clover.
wouldn't"
No, perhaps not, but respect her for
it, all the same, said Jack.
. think your friend, Charlie, is little
bitten in that quarter"
" Well, he might do worse. He is a
good boy, but easily led, which l take it, is
a prime qualification in husband.
Don't you think she is rather cold
blooded 2"
"Well, she does not wear her heart
upon her sleeve, but you must remember
she has to light all her own battles" said
Jack.
'Oh, she's business all over"
In the mean time preparations for start,
ing were going rapidly forward, and
dwindled remnants and scattered imple-
ments of the dinner were beng consigned
to their baskets by the ladies', assisted by
Charlie Gould.
q I wish Mr.. Holmes would not be so
painfully learned" said Mrs. Dawlish.
.. It makes me quite uncomfortable.
% Men are apt to be priggish when they
think they know more than any one else,
said Mrs Harlay.
Well, don't think he is exactly
prig, said Gertie Blake She could afford
to be gracious to her antagonist when he
had not distinctly gotten the better of her.
e" But he is fond of showing off his knowl-
edge and Boosting of his travels" Jack
Holmes had been educated at Heidelberg,
and had lived in many European cities
9" l like Jack. said Charlie Gould 'He
is as honest as the sun, and far too gen
erous for his own good"
Men ought to be just before they are
generous" said Mrs. Harlay-perhaps in
allusion to some arrears for board, for poor
Jack was cursed with chronic impecunies.
ity which made him a not very desirable
inmate, from Mrs. HarlaY's point of view
| Yet he was not one of those on whose
shoulders their debts sit lightly sooner or
later he discharged them to the last farth-
ing, for the obligation was very grievous to
him until removed
The baskets were all bestowed in their
places, with the cake within convenient
reach of Mrs. Dawlish, for this simple,
amiable little woman was not ashamed of
her healthy appetite. She was not one of
those who trouble themselves about many
things, and she thankfully took the goods
the gods provided as they care All doubt
or Criticism was entirely foreign and re-
pugnant to her mind. She was happy in
the belief that her husband was the one
perfect man, and was cheerfully blind to
the fact that her idol had feet of clay and
was otherwise constructed of very dubious
material The horses were quickly har-
messed, and Charlie and Gertie took the
lead homewards.
''What a pleasant day we have had,
said Charlie, after they had settled them
selves in their seats, well protected with
shawls against the chill sea-breeze Of even
ing.
Is Yes, on the whole, it has been very
pleasant. We have had fewer accidents
than usual on such occasions.
g l believe am the only sufferer on the
score Of accident. 1t is not pleasant to be
interrupted at critical moment
" Perhaps, said Gertie, you might
have been able to claim commiseration on
another score, if it had not been for the
accident, as you call it,
This was rather cold comfort and Of
doubtful significance, but Gertie Blake
would not permit any closer allusion to the
subject which had been broken IN upon by
the untoward fright q the horses on the
outward journey, and she turned the con-
versation whenever, with woman's in
stinct, she felt Charlie was approaching
| dangerous one WAS III uOuDG as
to the necessity of the surrender, and
Charlie feared his fate too much to urge
matters unduly. Though younger in years,
she was really more mature in experience
than he, and she liked to see her way.
Nevertheless, if he had forced an under
standing. l believe that he would have
been successful, for women love bold
wooer, and it is very embarrassing to be
compelled to drive several miles in close
carriage with man whom you have just
refused more especially if you mean in all
probability, ultimately, to accept him
when he has proved himself worthy of
your acceptance. 1t was late in the after
noon when they reached San Rafael, and
they crossed the bay in the closing twi-
light, watching the many hills of the great
city as they burst into starry light with
the radiance of her thousand lamps
ITO be continued