The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-10
TWO WAYS OF ASKING.

Tears. idle tearsl Niobe dissolved!
Nv dear child, what on earth is the mat
teri"
Time, 4 of summer afternoon. Place,
A pretty boudoir, furnished i'll 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
Gent and modern. Dramatis persona,
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 q 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 an expression half
compassionate, half amused. There is
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-
sponds to the question when reiterated is
decidedly petulant.
II wish you would go away and leave
nc alone"
IL shall not do anything of the sort,
returns the other. II am going to talk to
Won. and do not care in the least whether
Won are angry or not, although hadmuch
rather You would take my remarks In
good part go,
I "Oh," responds the voice, still smoth-
Int M h
ing of it's resentful quality. Il know
how clever you are, and that you thihK
you can manage every ones affairs a
great deal better than themselves"
She intends this to be nasty one,
and. as "a matter of fact, it does not iail
very pleasantly on the ears of her inter
locutor; but she sits down on the sofa, and
replies with good humor We'll my love,
/ may confidently say that could manage
your affairs great deal better than you
manage them yourself, and that il were
YOU would have Mr.. Clement Lascelles at
my feet in very short time.
perhaps you have him there now,
says the PROSTATE one, ceasing to sob, and
trying to sneer instead.
well, Dolly dear, to tell you the truth,
I fail myself to recognize in that young
man the charm which observe he has for
for some people, indeed, consider him
q poseur, with an exasperatingly good
opinion Of himself, and, if you ask my
candid opinion, think he would be al
she better for being kic"--
Dorothy founces up in moment. -
will trouble you not to insult my friends,
she cries. with flaming cheeks. "And II
is not very easy to believe your sincerit.
when he was sitting in your pocket al
last night, and you were ont walking
with him for two hours this morning"
.In any case" replies Mrs. Dalton
coolly, your remarks prove that ! hav'
had time and opportunity to form an opin
ion of his qualities. | don't deny that III
is good looking, but it is intolerable tina
he should be so conscious of it, ] admi
that he is not without a certain amour
of clevoaness, and has been fairly wei
edueated; but | violently object to hi
thinking himself able to sit in judgmen
on people good deal older and clevere
than himself.
ION you, for instance" cries Dolly.
mo, | was not thinking Of myself
though admit the soft impeachment (th
one regarding my age, at least); and wha
dislike most of all is his placing himse
on o pedestal to be looked at and longe
for by-by pretty. silly little girls. VIII
ought to know better"
Dolly stiffens her back, and says, wit
an assumption Of dignity which sits indi
ferently well upon her: If you wi
excuse me, should prefer not discussin
Mr.. LAscelles with you. You are perfect
welcome to your opinion of him, and
claim the liberty Of retaining mine
Then, her majesty suddenly topping owe
she says vindictively, in quite differer
tone Of voice: Perhaps you think a
such q fool that don't see through yo,
mean abuse Of himf"
THAT may win and wear him myself
suggests Mrs. Dalton. quite good hume
edly mo. my dear and acute child. b
lieve me, you have not fathomed and u
masked my baseness this time. kno
your dear and sensitive little heart is S
upon this fascinating young man. don
think there is really any harm in him, Al
am maGpani!UoHs enough TO he ready