The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-09-15
TIT FOR TAT;
Curing Flirting Lover.

What are you thinking about, Jes-
siep You have not uttered q syllable for
at least five minutes"
Jessie Miller looked at her lover with
q very grave expression on her lovely
face.
''Have l notP Do you really wish to
know my thoughtsp"
Certainly l do"
no woman is ever satisfied with mans
devotion if he appears to slight her in
the presence of othersp"
''What thenp"
Jasper Sullivans face slightly flush
ed as he asked the question; evidently
he understood the connection real well.
II think, my DEAR" said Jessie, ''that
1 occupied the position of sighted
one last evening when you devoted
yourself so openly to Kate Mageep'
Jasper's face flushed still more as he
answered: 81 only danced with her
three times"
''And sat out three more dances with
her" added Jessie quickly, ''while l
was obliged to play the part of wall
flower. Do you think that was pleas
ant?'
Really, Jessie, how plainly you
talk"
"Why notp was not jealous, but al
though ] have the most perfect faith in
you, it is not pleasant to see all the
smiles devoted to a girl who delights in
being coquette."
jessie" said Jasper, 81 am surpris-
ed that you dislike Miss Magee. In my
opinion, she is sweet girl, without an
atom of coquetry about her."
'sWe will talk no more of Kate Ma
gee, seeing how we differ; let us talk of
ourselves.
"What am to do to satisfy youp"
asked Jasper, almost Indignantly.
'Would you tie me to your apron
strings all the timcP"
mot one moment if you wish to be
Free" answered Jessie with pride. "You
can leave me ut once. l will not detain
you"
"What nonsense, Jessie. You know
7 could not live without you. But
can't promise never to speak to anoth-
er girl, especially girl who comes
from my own native town."
Nor do exact such q promise; on
ly L wish you to see your conduct as
others do; you know Burns oft-quoted
lines:
% wad some power the giftie gle us
To see oursels as ithers see us"
II cannot see yet what you have to
complain Of" said Jasper.
would you now like me to be as
friendly with some gentleman as you
are with Miss Mageep" asked Jessie.
81 should not object" he answered, II
would never interfere with your enjoy
ment in any way"
"Well, Jasper, dear, l won't scold
any more, but we'll make q bargain;
you can flirt with Kate or any one else,
giving me equal liberty; are you
agreedp"
son one condition: that neither of us
abuse the privilege"
Certainly"
And when this bargain was conclud-
ed the lovers separated. Jasper felt
that Jessie was too exacting, while the
lady considered her lover q dangerous
tlirt, likely to fall victim to some girls
coquetry.
Jessie stood waiting for her lover,
who was to escort her to ball at the
Lyceum Hall, and in her pink dress,
with roses in her dark hair and mag
niticent bouquet de corsage of the same
beautiful flowers, looked pretty enough
to tempt an anchorite.
Jasper. who really loved the girl, was
loud in his admiration of her appear
ance.
Miss Magee was at the ball, and
when Jasper Sullivan and Jessie enter
ed, the pretty brunette tripped across
the floor to bid them welcome.
"Oh, JESSIE" she cried, when her
first greetings were over, "who do you
think is herep"
81 am sure l cannot imagine" an.
swered Jessie.
why, Mr.. Mountain, your old adj
mirer.'
Il thought he was in Europe" said
jessie
$50 he has been. He tells me that
he came back in the White Star steam
er Celtic, and o. ly arrived in New York
yesterday"
''Ah! there he is" cried Jessie, ''and
how handsome he looks"
you have strange idea of beauty"
snarled Jasper.
1--WE can't expect you to see as we
do, can we dearP" replied Kate Magee.
HE has put his name down for three
Dances" and the little Irish brunette
fourished programme riumphant}y.
'Is there any room for my name
therep" asked Jasper.
II believe / have one or two dances
left,o she answered, with the coolest in
difference. @
Jasper took the card and filled in his
own name in all the blank spaces.
''You had better take what dances
you want before my card is filed" re-
marked Jessie to her lover.
''After the first dance l will attend"
Indeed" thought Jessie, che shall
find that Pm not always going to be
wall-fower."
Ten minutes later, Jasper, merciless-
ly snubbed by Kate Magee, disconso-
lately sought his betrothed, his smart
49, 4 LII, Is L.. L.