The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-07-30
WOMAN'S WEAPONS.

"How do you like my aunts new
guest, BruceP"
"Saw nothing wonderful in her. She's
not bad to look at / believe. Has n
reputation as a flirt, if / don't mistake
I'm never taken by such girls, Cecil"
Cecil Harrison laughed little in his
indolent, easy way, and his laugh was
very good to hear.
you're never taken by any sort of
girl he said cheerfully; "but there's
no use in saying a man is happier with
out being in love, for he's not. tell
you, good honest attack of love will
make man of any fellow. I'd like to
see you hard hit, old fellow"
You may live to sec it; but if you do,
the object of my affection will not be q
society belle, fiirt, or the fashion, as
Miss Aubrey told ME our new arrival
is"
''Flirt OF no flirt, she's certainly the
style of girl that is sure to play havoc
with some poor fellow heart"
Bruce Carleton made wry face.
'And no doubt she is ut this moment
doning her war-paint, with the laudable
intention of making tablet of yours or
mine," he remarked carelessly. 81
wonder if prudence would be the better
part of valor in this instancep Would
you join me in n trip of a few weeksP"
81 would tell my aunt why you went
and give Miss Vernon new triumph, ]"
was the lazy answer, given with q smile.
''All right. Here l stay, and face fate
as bravely rs can. / am prepared to
be dazzled by splendor surprising that
of Cleopatra, when our belle and beauty
comes down. BY the way. can it be
long before dinner? I'm fairly famish-
ing, after that long tramp, by which 1
lost luncheon.
Half an hour or So" Cecil an
swered. "Have a'cigarp They're cap
ital Why, what was thatP"
THE door of the library swung to.
Are you growing nervousP"
mo, but I'm growing uncomfortable.
Some person was in there, and may
have heard all we said. 1t was I'M
manly of us to criticise an absent lady,
and one who is young and lovely"
"Oh, she'll get old and ugly soon
enough, if that makes the matter any
BETTER" answered Bruce carelessly.
But as he left his seat and went in
through the window, there was an un-
usual color on his face, for he had
caught the sound of light footballs, as
we'll as the closing of the door, and was
sure some ears had caught his unkind
and uncourtly remarks, despite his
seeming indifference.
And he was right. A girl had stepped
lightly over the threshold of the library
in the very beginning of the converse
ton.
She went hurriedly across the room.
placed book among its fellows, and
was reading the titles of the others near
it, when the first remark / have chron-
icled reached her.
'Ah, they do think of us when we're
not byr' she whispered, dimpling smiles
on her face. 81 have always thought
that men could gossip, and here 1 am
listening to two of them gossiping about
one of us. No, I'm not listening; I'm
looking for book"
But she did not make q selection
from the volumes until after Bruce had
expressed himself as being prepared to
be dazzled by the splendor of Miss Yer
mons attire when she appeared at dim
ner. Then, with-a saucy light in her
grey eyes, the girl took down her book,
crossed the room, and allowing the
door to close behind her noisily, ran
swiftly up the stairs, not pausing until
she stood before door, at which she
tapped lightly.
MAY come in Bella?" she called.
And Immediately the bolt was drawn,
and slender girl stood in the door
way, clothed like young queen, in
rich robe of amber silk, which fell far
behind her on the floor.
''Oh, shut the door, and let me tell
you something's cried the grey-eyed
girl, eagerly. "And, oh, Bella, do take
off that lovely dress, and put on some
thing plain and prim! He said you
were putting on your war-paint, and
would try to dazzle like a Cleopatra.
But must tell your
Eyes, think you must, unless you
wish to confuse me hopelessly," said
Miss Vernon, with smile in her dark
eyes, as she drew her visitor in and
shut the door. "Now who said all this
about me?"
In five minutes Kate Aubrey had told
all about the conversation which she
had heard; and her listeners delicately
cut face had colored with naughty
anger for a moment; then mingling
with the anger touch of amusement
shone in her dark ewes.