The Southern herald., 1886-07-31
AN OBLIGING GIRL.
Mona Takes Her Lovers Advice
and Turns Fashionable.

Mona Takes Her Lovers Advice
and Turns Fashionable.
A lovely afternoon in the spring,
when the balmy air and the fresh,
bright toilets of the ladies made kind
of gala day even on Broadway, Philip
Hays stood at his Office door, thought
fully pulling on his neatly fitting
gloves. Isay "thoughtfully," because
that word just describes his state Of
mind, which was that of hating be-
tween two opinions whether to 90 for
his usual uptown stroll, have COM
Portable dinner at the Westminster, and
little Irritation with Jessie Mabin
afterward, or to cross the river and
take train for his brothers lovely
place in Jersey. He told himself, as he
was carefully buttoning his right-hand
glove, that the cherries were ripe, and
that he really needed little fresh air
and country milk. But he knew of a
far better reason yet, if he would have
acknowledged it; and what is more,
other people knew it too. Brother
Will was wise enough to credit his
pretty sister-in-law with Philips re-
markable access of fraternal affection,
and little Mona Zabriska herself had a
shrewd guess as to what kind of cher
ries Mr.. Philip Hays came to the coun-
try to taste.
Well, on this particular afternoon
the country proved to be finally the
more powerful attraction, and in an
hour and half after the gloves had
been fitted to a nicely they were taken
off again, that the wearer might clasp
the hands of the dearest, sweetest
brightest little country maiden that any
man with the right kind of heart OF
eyes could desire to see. What Philip
said to Mona, and what Mona said to
Philip, the !cherry-trees and the even
ing-star probably know; but 1t was
very delightful, and so satisfying that
the young people came back to the
house without any cherries at all, and
presently there was great deal of
hand-shaking and kissing, which ended
in mutual good wishes.
Well, after this, for a couple Of weeks,
there was no hesitating at the office
door. Philip said "strawberries" now
when his friends rallied him about his
sudden passion for the country, and the
strawberry excuse did just as well as
the cherries. But as the weather grew
hotter, the subject of summer resorts
became uppermost. Philips mother
and sister were going to some fashion
able Virginian springs, and he greatly
desired that his little Mona should 90
with them. To tell the truth, he did
wish she was little more stylish, and
would put up her curls, and abandon
aprons, and dress like Jessie Mabin
did. That would perfectly satisfy him,
he thought. Yes, Mona Zabriska
dressed like Jessie Mabin would leave
him nothing to desire. He went about
his plans with that tact which young
men who have sisters easily acquire. A
little present from Tiffany's and mod
est check "just for spending-money,"
made his sister Cecilia sufficiently in
terested in his project.
"Nona is a dear little girl, Cecilia"
he said. "All she wants is a more
stately manner and stylish dress.''
"If that is what you desire, Philip,
why do you not marry Jessie MabinP
thought you liked her well enough"
Because, Cecilia, want heart in
side the dress-a pure, fresh, loving
heart"
at seems to me-" But here Cecile
stopped. She was wise enough to
know she would be Throwing words
away"
The next difficulty was to make Mona
delicately understand his wishes, and
induce her to accept the invitation sent
her by his mother and sister. He ap-
preached the subject under the most
favorable circumstances; the moonlight
did not betray his confusion, and his
encircling arm held her so close to his
heart that he had no fear of not secur-
ing attention if argument or explana-
Hon became necessary.
II am SO glad, Mona, that you are
going with Cecile. ! am sure il will do
you good" And then he stopped and
kissed her for emphasis.
al go to please you, Philip. l am
quite well, thank you.
"OhI but don't mean about your
health, Mona. You little witohl who
could have such bright eyes and red
lips and not be quite wellp mean
about dress and department. and those
kind Of things."
There was . Attle ominops silence,