Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-09-01
Two Ways OF ASKING.

of to-day, 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 Ann silver and knick knacks, ancient
and modern. Dramatis persona, grace
full figure in white, flung with an air of
desolation on the floor beside a sofa, her
charming nuque visible beneath delicious
little rows of golden curls, her frame
shaken by sobs; an older woman standing
a few yards distant, dark, beautifully
dressed, "good-looking enough for any
thing, without being distinctly handsome,
aged somewhere within the right side of
80, and wearing an expression half COM
passionate, half amused. There is a sus-
picion of raillery in her voice, which is felt
and deeply resented by the fair sorrower.
Angeris often akin 10 sorrow, as pity is to
love, and the voice which responds to the
question when reiterated is decidedly petu-
liant.
Il wish you would go away and leave
me alone"
Il shall not do anything of the sort, "
returns the other. Il am going to talk to
you, and l do not care in the least whether
you are angry or not, although had 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 its resentful quality. Il know how
clever you are, and that you think you can
manage every ones affairs a great deal
better than themselves"
She intends this to be "nasty one,
and, as matter of fact, it does not fall
very pleasantly on the ears of her inter-
Vna ,fT,.. +r.l,
and replies with good humor: We'll, my
love, l may confidently say that 1 could
manage your affairs greet deal better
than you manage them yourself, and that
if l were you l would have Mr.. Clement
Lascelles at my feet in very short time. I"
Perhaps you have him there now, says
the PROSTATE one, ceaSing to sob, and try
ing to sheer instead.
Well, 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, con-
slider him poseur, with an eXasper-
atingly good opinion of himself, and,
if you ask my candid opinion, think
he would be all the better for being
kic-"
Dorothy founces up in moment. Il
Will trouble you not to insult my friends, !"
she cries, with flaming cheeks. and
1t is not very easy to believe your sin
cerity 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 l have
had time and opportunity to form an opin-
ion of his qualities. / don't deny that he
is good-looking, but it is intolerable that
he should be SO conscious of it. admit
that he is not without certain amount of
cleverness, and has been fairly we'll edu-
Gated: but | violently object to his think
ing himself able to sit in judgment on
people good deal older and cleverer than
himself"
"On you, for instance." cried Dolly.
No, l was not thinking of myself,
though / admit the soft impeachment (the
one regarding my age, at least; and what
dislike most of all is his placing himself
on a pedestal to be looked at and longed
Tor 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: IF you will
excuse me, 1 should prefer not discussing
Mr.. Lascelles with you. You are perfectly
claim the liberty of retaining mine" Then.
her majesty suddenly topping over, she
says vindictively. in quite different tone
of voice: Perhaps you think am such
fool that l don't see through your mean
abuse of him?"
THAT l may win and wear him myself,
suggests Mrs. Dalton, quite good-hu-
moredly. No, my dear and acute child,
believe me, YOU have not fathomed and
unmasked my baseness this time.
know your dear and sensitive little heart
is set upon this fascinating young man.
don't think there is really harm in him,
and ] am magnanimous enough to be
ready to show you how to obtain his af-
fections, and to make him the suppliant
instead of YOU"
"Suppliant?" 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 capricious.
Wrath makes Dolly absolutely speech
less. If looks, etc, etc., Mrs. Dalton
would, ETC., etc.
Don't be 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 advan-
tages of my superior age and experience
Keep them to yourself!" retorts Dolly,
tartly.
THE first I must, whether or no, but the
latter shall be yours. Come, dear child,
you know I am fond of you; believe me
when I say 1 would not have your en-
chanter as gift, and also that am de-
sirous to see him subjugated by you. He
shall be yours, promise, and will only
make one condition"
Dolly seats herself on the sofa, and al
lows Mrs. Dalton to take her hand, though
she looks rather sulky. Still, she does,
poor little girl. regard Mr.. Clement Las
celles as the first prize in the marriage
lottery, and is willing to take upon her
self his part of the contract: to worship
him with her body and endow him with
all her worldly goods. For in small way
she is an heiress, though he is not desti-
tute of money, and has a good position.
Truth to tell, the young man is not "a bad
sort" he has good looks, good brains and