Richland beacon., 1888-03-24
LITTLE WASP.

EXSzz o you think a coluette
RA S~ can ever be true :"
NN IN VA This remark was al
Hf1 MI E dressed to me by al
M 10y Al old school fellow with
MI M whom l kept up &
M Nv friendship.
Mh ~ "Do l think q co
G S~ quette can he true. No
E4 but Little Wasp can."
"But greater flirt never lived - cried
my companion. "Shc talks to all the
fellows about, and 1 dare say half OF
them think she is in love with them,
just as 1 do, he said, dashing the ash
from his cigar against the tive-barred
gate over which we were both leaning.
81 don't think Little Wasp n coquette,
in the real and true sense" | observed.
"She talks to every fellow, know, but
she behaves all the time rs if uncon-
scious that she's doing anything out OF
the way. But then American girls are
not like English girls.
"Thcre again. said Jack, facing
round and looking at me as if were his
bitterest enemy instead of the most for
bearing friend in the world, and indeed
had proved myself this; for had l not
listened to his meandering talk about
Little Wasp for hours together, and
never pronounced myself bored.
1t will be Judged from this that was
not one of the lady's favored gentlemen
and indeed | was not. got none of
her smiles, and u great many of those
sharp little answers which had gained
her her nickname; answers which, COM
ing through less beautiful lips, might
have exasperated man. But her inno-
cent air and exquisite loyeliness made
everything she did or said appear right
at the moment. IL was afterwards, upon
reflection, and when her face was not
there to bcwitch one, that one called her
cruel and mfeeling, and all sorts of
other names one would have been
ashamed even to think in her presence.
But am DEPRESSING.
/ had spoken of her being American,
and Jack had turned upon me angrily
with: "Thcre again she and her moth
er have come from no one knows where.
and arc no one knows who; and here am
I, belonging to one of the oldest families
Here | interrupted him. I had no
particular ancestors to trace my descent
from, and no coat of arms to brag about
and rs | knew by heart all Jacks ances-
tors rs far back as Adam, did not want
to hear anv moro of them; which Little
Wasp would have said directly WAS jeal-
Ousy.
"All right, old fellow" said Jack. I'm
not going to give you the tree this time,
and you come of better stock than do
or you wouldn't be what Won are
was considerably notified by this
remark, and relaxing the severity of my
contenance, said: "You were about to
Observe
"Yos," said Jack, II was about to oh
serve that am ready to die for that
girl
"In which respect" Ireplied, "you
are not SO distinguished from your fell
lows as by your tree.
every likely" he answered mourn.
fully. "But after all, the question Mt
issue is, which of us is she ready to die
forl''
How remembered that remark later
on, when ] knew the end Of the story.
Little Wasp die j said, laughing.
then just disappear, to make war and
anarchy in heaven once more, the little
witch Ono cannot think of Little Wasp
dying"
"Well, then, which of lis will she live
forl' asked Jack, with some asperity.
81 wonder how many of the fellows
have asked her?' / replied with great
calmness. "If you mean business, l
must say you're taking it uncommonly
cool. Somebody will be carrying her
of, sting and all, while you are Think ag
about it. There WAS Captain Esher
round there tonight as passed the
gate"
"Look here" said Jack, Jll 90
round there to might, and the old one $
SO anxious to marry the girl off her
hands that she won't deny me admis-
sion; and it'll he bit of test when
tell her sail 50 soon for Melbourne.
BY the way" he said. breaking off sud
denly, and looking at me with whim-
sical puzzlement on his face, 81 hope
the old one won't want to be included in
the bargain"
''Oh that point can set your heart ut
rest" replied. The old one has car
ried off her own prize. Thomson told
me about it. She's going to be married
quietly"
$50 much the BETTER" said Jack
"and if you'll excuse me, old fellow, I'm
Off"
always the way" said to myself,
where the girls are concerned. Never
SO much as asked how was going OH T;
never asked if I'd got the appointment
and be hanged if I'll tell him without.
I'll Just present myself to see them off
when they sail, as of course they will.
Little Wasp, for all her baby looks, will
know better than to throw over man
of his property and position" And
truly was trying as hard rs l cOald To
think her mercenary, though l have
learned how desperately ! must sc
been endeavoring to quench something