Wichita eagle., 1888-06-16
TWO WAYS OF ASKING.

seTears, idle tearsi Niobe dissolved
My dear child, what on earth is the mat
terri
Time, 4 of summer afternoon. Place,
a pretty boudoir, furnished in the fashion
OF today. modelled on the style of Louis
Quinze, with dash of liberty thrown in,
and modern accessories, such as crystal
flower vases. three volume novels and
photograph stands, juxtaposed with
Queen Anne silver and knickknacks, an
cient and modern. Dramatis persona, a
graceful figure in white, flung with an air
of desolation ON the floor beside sofa,
her charming nuque visible beneath deli
cious little rows of golden curls. her
frame shaken by sobs; an older woman
standing a few yards distant, dark, beau
tifully dressed, good looking enough for
anything" without being distinctly hand
some, aged somewhere within the right
side of 80, and wearing en- expression half
compassionate, half amused. There is a
suspicion of raillery IN her voice. which is
felt and deeply resented by the fair sor-
rover Anger is often akin TO sorrow, as
pity is to love, and the voice which re-
spends to the question when reiterated is
decidedly petulant.
"lod 1Ou NOo4o 81 away d1A0 1CdNo
me alone"
Il shall not do anything Of the sort, &"
returns the other. Il am going to talk to
you, and do not caro- in the least whether
you are angry or not, although Ihad much
rather you would take my remarks in
good part"
oh" responds the voice, still smoth-
cred in the sofa cushions, but losing moth
ing of it's resentful quality. II know
how clever you are, and that you think
you can manage every ones affairs q
great deal better than themselves"
She intends this to be nasty one"
and, as a matter Of fact, it does not fall
very pleasantly on the ears of her inter
locutor; but she sits down on the sofa, and
replies with good humor: "Well, my love,
/ may confidently say that | could manage
your affairs great deal better than you
manage them yourself, and that if l were
you | would have Mr.. Clement Lascelles at
lay feet in very short time"
Perhaps you have him there now,"
says the PROSTATE one, ceasing to sob, and
trying to sneer instead.
We'll, Dolly dear, to tell you the truth,
] fail myself to recognize in that young
man the charm which | observe he has for
for some people; indeed, | consider him
a poseur, with an exasperatingly good
opinion of himself, and, if you ask my
candid opinion, l think he would be ell
the better for being kic''--
Dorothy founces up in a moment. Il
Will trouble you not to insultmy friends"
she cries, with flaming cheeks. And 1t
is not very easy to believe your sincerity
when he was sitting in your pocket all
last night, and you were out walking
with him for two hours this morning"
In any case" replies Mrs. Dalton,
coolly, your remarks prove that | have
had time and opportunity to form an opin-
ion Of his qualities. | don't deny that he
is good locking, but it is intolerable that
he should be so conscious of It, | admit
that he is not without a certain amount
Of cleverness, and has boon fairly well
educated; but l violently object to his
thinking himself able to sit in Judgment
on people good deal cider and cleverer
than himself"
''On you, for instancel' cries Dolly.
mo, / was not thinking of myself,
though admit the soft Impeachment (the
one regarding my age, at least); and what
l dislike most OF all is his placing himself
on pedestal to be looked at and longed
for by-by pretty, silly little girls, who
ought to know better"
Dolly stiffens her back, and says, with
an assumption of dignity which sits indif-
ferently well upon her: IL you will
excuse me, should prefer not discussing
Mr.. Lascelles with you You are perfectly
welcome to your opinion Of him, and
claim the liberty of retaining mine"
Then. her ajesty suddenly topping over,
she says vindictively, in quite different
tone of voice: Perhaps you think am
such fool that don't see through your
mean abuse OF him.
That may win and wear him rnyself?''
suggests Mrs. Dalton, quite good hunor-
edIy No, my dear and acute child, be-
ieve me, you have not fathomed and TN
masked my baseness this time. | know
your dear and sensitive little heart is set
upon this fascinating young man. 1dont
think there is really any harm in him, and
am magnaniynous enough to be ready to
show you how to obtain bis affections, and
TO make him the suppliant instead Of
you"
''SuppliantP" cried Dolly. with fresh
flames from her burning heart ascending
to her cheeks.
Yes, suppliant. Every one, my love,
can see-he most of all-how you hang
upon his smiles, and despair when he is
Indifferent or cspricious."
Wrath makes Dolly absolutely speech
less. If looks. etc, etc, Mrs. Dalton
would, etc, etc.
Don't be a goose. Dolly" resumes her
friend. not having suffered any visible in /
jury from the lightning glances to which /
She had been subjected.
Keep your temper, and reap the ed /
vantages of my superior age and expert /
ence."
Keep them to yourselfi" retoyts Dolly,
tartly
The first l must, whether or no, but
the latter shall be yours Come, dear
child, Won know / am fond of you; be- .
lieve me when / say would not have
your enchanter as a gift. and also that i .
an DESTROYS to see him subjugated BY /
you He shall be yours, | promise, and 4
will only make one condition
Dolly seats herself on the sofa, and al 4
lows Mrs Dalton to take her hand. though .
she looks rather sulky. Still. she does, 1
poor little girl, regard Mr., Clement Las /
celles as the first prize in the marriags !
lottery. and is willing to take upon her
self his part Of the contract; TO worship /
him with her body. and endow him with /
ali her worldly goods. For in q small
way she is an heiress, though he is not
destitute of money, and has an excellent
position. Truth TO tell, the young man is
not what is called "a bad Sort" he has
good looks. good brains and good man
ners, when he is not egged on TO take
liberties by the silly batteries of the other
sex Poor Dolly loves him madly, and
As= iaans=a5s.,v .aas.n hfsz s.isasnz= IN his