Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1886-09-23

"eio Prouigals. iney iavished their
Loves they were reckless, perhaps ex-
travagant, but they were happy. To-
day men possess neither love nor illu-
sions. They are old without ever hav-
ing been young; they are bankrupt
without having ever expended. They
are like the beggars who hold out their
hands-'.Only penny, please"
Colonel-And would YOU rcfusep
Aiice-Not cent for such. sir.
Colonel Cooking at her for mo-
menD Well. if love mas lost its illu-
sions. it is the fault of Your sex. Love
is second best in 4 woman's life.
Alice-Wbat is first?
Colonel-Dress. position. fashion.
Alice Claughs scornfully)-Men's
talk,
Colonel-Did you ever cry in your
life?
Alice Possibly.
Colonel-YeS, if your dress didn't fit,
or the woman didn't send il home in
time. But did YOU ever cry tears
real tears?
Alice (laughS) I'm never confess.
Colonel-That is enough. When a
man tells YOU he loves you. YOU laugh.
Alice-ln women frivolity is but a
mask. We play we are women of the
world, and wear the costumes of the
role.
-Marvelously well, too. 1t
Is that comedy that frightens me. A
man thinks he knows the woman he is
to marry. He never has seen her; she
is wrapped in an impenetrable veil.
BY the way, can you swim?
Alice-Yes.
Colonel-Then YOU know how it
feels to Jump in the water. The heart
beats; the throat stops up: there is
hideous sound in the ears. Ugn, Mar
riage is for me much the same thing.
| throw myself III the water. but I'm
sure I'm going To drown.
Alice-How Miss Manifold would
love to hear YOU.
Colonel-lm not speaking of Miss
Manifold, but of marriage. Ii ever
woman seemed to promise to her hus-
band calm. unruifled life, it is She
lAlice gets up and leans against the pillar.
Colonel Drake watches her pretending
10 play with his straw. She opens anu
shuts fan in her hand.
Colonel-That is pretty fan. Who
did that?
Alice-You admire it? l.
Coloncl-You painted that. When
do YOU lind time TO do such things?
Alice-When I'm alone.
Colonel-Alone! never think of "A
woman except on a piazza. in cotil-
lion. Do You love to be alone?
Alice-Ies. ut times.
Colonel thought You were pas
sionate wording
Aiice-Iou have given me that much
consideration? Bows. | like the
world: | find it diverting. Then like
to be alone and reflect on what I've
seen.
Colonel-You can't persuade me
that at your age and with your attrac-
tons YOU regard the world 80 philo-
sophicallv.
Alice-Let us talk of something else
of the riding party to Rum Hill this
afternoon.
Colonel-She won't answer me.
Alice-lour question seems to me
the least bit impertinent
Colonel beg pardon. only
meant to say that you must find the
homage of men sweet. Alice waves
her hand, rs if to dismiss the subject.
Colonel goes on. The homage least
sought for to the woman the least
coquettish is sugar-plum she crunches
with pleasure.
Alice ann not gourmamde.
Colonel-lt is a pretty fault Then
suppose YOU do not comprehend jeal-
ousy?
Alice A pretty question. DO YOU?
Colonel Not AT all. 1t is the malady
of another age. 1t belongs 10 the DAYS
of old stuffs. stiff brocades, alike on
both sides. These are diaphanous
days.
Alice-Then / belong TO another ace.
My feelings are cloth of gold.
Colonel-You are formidable.
Alice-Verv amiable. Perhaps to
you, not to others.
Colonel eagerly What Others?
Alice-That is of no importance 10
you.
Colonel very much interested) Tell
me who. All, / know-that long
legged dude over at the other house
that takes YOU out in his cart.
Alice-You think so?
COlonel-It is just such fellows TO
whom the good things of this life fall.
Alice (bows)-I thank you in both
our names.
Colonel-Very we'll: it only remains
for me to tender my congratulations.
Rises, and extends his hand angrily.l
Alice Laughing Are Won going to
leave me, after cheating me out of nv
ride?
Colonel-Why should stay?
Alice-1Ou are very funny. You
ask questions. aud answer them. You
arrange my affairs to suit Yourself. and
then get angry at them. At the worst
we are in the same boat.
Colonel-But il j. particularly exas-
perating 10 see q woman marry
another man for love.
Alice-That is generous sentiment.
Coionel-Ihen IL is true that YOU are
engaged that YOU love him?
Alice Ny feelings. must assert. do
not concern you.
Colonel Then I have the honor to
bid YOU good morning.
Colonel walks hastily away. Alice sits
down ant leans her head on her hand
Colonel goes 20 the steps. aud then
comes back
Alice You again?
Colonel Pardon. Our conversation
made me forget favor / wanted TO
ask
Alice You look 80 pentcnt. I can't
treat YOU a. YOU deserve. Sit down.
tOlOnel-Gou are hard on me. |
came with the most innocent inten.
tons; then yOu poured aphorisms
philosophy, mockeries, on TO 10 my de-
UnfnH IruI go. go. ~