The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-09-10
A SHORT COuRTsHIP.

claimed Mrs. Lester, with a little
scream OF delight, as she sat at break
fast with her husband and brother,
the latter not bad specimen of man
hood in its prime, though his face
wore somewhat bored expression, as
he looked up with raised eyebrows
and asked his sister, in rather lazy
tones:
whats too awfully nice, Bella?"
"Why," she replied, "the Trevors
are going to give one Of their delight
full garden parties next week-lawn
tennis, and all sorts of funl They've
invited us, and sent card for you,
knowing you are with us. You'll go,
OF course, 'rom?'
az Thank you--no," replied Tom
Kingsley, not too graciously. II pre-
fer to spend the day in the library.
Crowds bore me."
I'VE shan't all be old married folks,
you know, Tom," said Mr.. Lester,
laughing. "There'll be plenty of
girls"
Tom drew himself up in his chair,
thrust his hands into his pockets, and
spoke sternly:
Girls, my good fellow, don't at
tract me. The modern girl is a thing
of airs and afiectation, and yet romp.
She is neither natural nor elegant.
She talks slang wears great gay
hat on one side of her head; pins up
her massy back hair with something
like gilt pitchfort, and frizzes hei
front hair with hot irons She slaps
men with her fan; she giggles
Sometimes she has a little dog thai
she drags about with cord-disgust
ing pair. She fiirts, and marries no
body who cannot offer her a fortune
Girls BAH If possible, they ar,
worse than the rest Of the world"
"What u cross OF old bachelor yol
are getting to be, Tom," and Mrs Les
ter; "and we had invited a young la
dy to 90 with us just because you wer
here"
"Ah! don't wish to be impolite,
said Mr., Kingsley. "You meant
kindly, am sure; but at thirty-eigh
Bella, have seen the world. | kno,
what 1t is. wish did not"
He took the newspaper as he SPOKE
and sauntered out into the garden.
Glow provoking for Tilly" sal
Mrs Lester
ooh, he'll 60" said Mr.. Lester;
know him Of old. Besides, he hasn
seen Tilly."
On the morning Of the long col
templated gala day, Mr.. Kingsley m,
Tilly ut the breakfast-table. She WI
dressed in pale-bue muslin NOR
ing-dress, and with her smooth, pal
brown braids hanging down her bac
She made a demure little courtes
and said very little; but Mr.. King
ley having once looked at her, nev
removed his eyes from her face, al
as soon as breakfast was over he DIRE
his host aside and whispered in |
ear;
Il say, old fellow, it is not too la
is it? May / gos"
"Oh, we'll be delighted~ said |
friend and thereupon Mr.. Kingsl
announced his intention Of joini
the company,
"Yon see, Jasper" he said, as I
ladies left the room to prepare for
trip-"you see that is girl in tho
and"
Think so?' asked Mr.. Lester
"Why, certainly. No frizzes,
high heels, no nonsense about her,
fact"
"0h, I alwaysli liked Tilly," said
Lester.
For half an hour the gentlen
smoked; then came pattering sol
upon the stairs, and into the ro
walked Tilly; but, alas for her unh
py escortl Tilly metamorphos
Her hair Was frizzed in front and
tened behind with great gold =
her heels were Of the highest; on
arms she wore bangles.
Don't / look nice% she said
dress Mr. Lester.
"Of course you do, replied that
tleman.
Tilly looked at Tom Kingsley
Of the corners Of her eyes, but
fierce bachelor did not lash himsel
10 fury and instantly decline K
Of the parsy on the contrary, he
with bis head on one side, and an
preston Of rather sheepish admlFa
oyerspreading his ooupteaaRoe.