Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-11-15
MISS LIRRIPIP's LOVERS.


Miss Lirripip had pretty face and
five thousand year, not to speak IF ex-
-pectations. Pretty faces are common
enough, even in these days of agricul-
~tural depression and stagnant trade; but
"a girl with five thousand year is a
rarity; and girl with five thousand a
year and pretty face into the bargain
is positive phenomenon, and, as suoh,
cannot fail to be greatly admired by
number of more or less eligible young
men with taste for beauty of the most
substantial kind. Even middle-aged
bachelors awake from their habitual in
difference when, on being introduced to
"a lovely damsel of two-and-twenty they
=are conscious that the pOssessor of a con-
siderable fortune stands before them; for
although money is the root of all evil, it
is a root which most people very willing
Nv undertake the risk of cultivating.
Since Lydia Lirripip was thus beauti-
full and thus rich, it is not surprising
THAT she had not only admirers-men
who dared to wish uncertain things; but
lovers, too-men who had the presump-
Ttion to hope. 1t is true that Lydia en-
-couraged none of them, for she was quite
satisfied to live at home with her father,
General Lirripip, in Bruton street, ''Gros-
~venor square, and to ride in Rotten Row
in the morning and to drive in the park
in the afternoon. But, fortunately,
young men do not require encourage
ment; nay, in certain affairs the less en-
~couragement they receive the greater
their persistency becomes; and consider
ing that healthily constituted young
women seldom, if ever, give any en-
scouragement to young men, the persist
~ency of these latter in the face of alarm
ing difficulties is matter on which all of
us may heartily congratulate ourselves.
Indeed, but for the persistency who
knows whether the world would 90
=roundP
1t was the height of the London sea-
sson, and Lydia Lirripip went with her
father one evening to a great ball at the
Countess of Carnaby's. Everybody
was everybody, that is, of rank
and fashion-and ere she had been in
the brightly lighted rooms for five min
utes Lydia was engaged for all the
dances on the programme. Now, to
most of her partners she was only en-
gagged for single waltz or polka, but,
for old acquaintance sake, or for some
other reason, she allowed three gentle
amen to take two dances each. 1t was
mo doubt very indiscreet of her to do
so. But in one case at least it was also
very good-natured of her, for she per-
mitted old Pertinax Popinjay, who, as
every one knew, was far too stiff and
equity to move about properly, to put
down his name for the only two sets OF
1ancers. Sir Pertinax was effusively
grateful and smiled his sweetest upon
her as he returned her programme. and
Lydia, instead of regretting her kind
al III aH l,x-c
that she was giving pleasure to the gray
haired Baronet, who, thirty years before
had been noted dandy, but who now
sstruck her as being simply prosy old
fellow, whom very few girls would be
likely to dance with. LYdia'S other
favored partners were Mr.. Horace
Freake-a young artist who had that
wear for the first time exhibited at the
ROYAL Academy-an Mr.. Merton Muir
ley, man who had no profession and nc
occupation, and who, if he had pri-
waite income, derived it from a source
mot generally known even to his friends
In this world many strange cOinci-
edences happen. Two chemists have
been known to make exactly the same
discovery on the same day; and two
astronomers have claimed to catch sight
-of a new comet at almost the same mo-
~neHt. III IS not, therefore, lnCIeulDIt
shat while dancing these six dances
with her three favored partners, Lydis
casually mentioned to each of them thai
upon the following evening her father
was going to take the chair at the
annual meeting of the Society for tn,
Encouragement of Cold-water Bathing
-on the Continent; that she was not 90
ing, but would be alone at home; tina
sshe wished girls were able like men t.
samuse themselves; and that she envieC
her partners their clubs, their theater
=and their sociable smoking concerts
Nor is it incredible, that, having hearC
this, Sir Pertinax Popinjay, Mr.. Horac
Freake and Merton Murley all made NJ
their minds to call upon Miss Lirripil
upon the following evening. and t
make to her certain avowals
which. although they had long medi
tated them, they now felt impelled t
make as soon as possible, and withou
any unnecessary delay. What thes
ravowals were may be guessed; but VIII
the three gentlemen all determined a
the same time to make them is 3 ques
zion which cannotbe explained. althoug