New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-15
TWO WAYS OF ASKING.
MISS DOLLY'S LESSON IN LOVE.

Time: four of summer afternoon. Place :
pretty boudoir, furnished In the fashion Of
with dash of Liberty" thrown in and modern
accessories, such crystal flower vases, three
volume novels, and photograph-stands, juxtaposed
with Queen Anne silver and knicknacls ancient
and modern. Dramatis Personae: graceful
figure in white, flung with an alr of desolation
on the floor beside sofa, her charming nuque Wis
IDLE beneath delicious little rows of golden curls.
her frame shaken by sobs an Older woman stand
ing few yards distant dark, beautifully dressed
good-looldng enough for anything" without be-
Ing distinctly handsome, aged somewhere within
the right side of thirty, and wearing an express
sion half compassionate. half amused. There is
suspicion of railery in her voice, which is felt
and deeply resented by the fair Borrower. Anger
is often akin to sorrow pity is TO love- and the
voice which responds to the question when re-
iterated is decidedly Petulant
II wish you would go away and leave me
alone.'
Il shall not do anything Of the Sort returns
the other. I" l am going to talk to you, and
do not care in the least whether you are angry
or not, although had much rather you would take
my remarks in good part"
o." responds the voice, still smothered In the
sofa-cushons, but losing nothing OF ITS resentful
you think that you can manage every ones af-
fairs great deal better than themselves"
4 She intends this to be nasty one" and,
as matter of fact il does not fall very pleasantly
the of her intcrlocutor but she sits
down on the sofa, and replies with good humor,
We'll, my love, / may confidently say that L
could manage your affairs great deal Al better IT.
than you manage them yourself, and that II L
were you. l would have MIR. Clement Lascelles
at my feet in very short time"
Perhaps you have him there nowl' says the
PROSTATE one, ceasng to sob and trying to sneer
well, Dolly dear, to tell you the TRUTH 1
fail myself to recognize in that young man the
charm which | observe he has for-for some peo-
pie indeed, / consider him poseur, with an ex-
asperatingly good opinion Of himself, and, If you
ask my candid opinion, think that he would
be all the better for being ldc-"
Dorothy founces up in moment I" l will
trouble you not to insult my friends she cries,
with flaming cheeks. And it 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 l have had time and op-,
portunity to form opinion of his qualities. L
don't deny that he is good looking, but 1t Is IN
tolerable that he should be conscious Of it.
i admit that ne is not without "a certain amount
Of cleverness, and has been fairly well educated;
but l violently object to his thinking himself able
and cleveror than himself"
On YOU for instanoe." cries Dolly.
so, 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 q 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 as
sumption of dignity which sits indiferently well
upon her, II YOU will excuse me, should prefer
not discussing Mr.. Lascelles with you You are per
fectly welcome TO your opinion of him, and claim
the liberty of retaining mine" Then, her majesty
suddenly topping over, she says ylndlctlvely, In
quite different tone OF voice, Perhaps you think
am such n fool that don't see through your mean
abuse Of him ?'
THAT | may win and wear him MYSELF"
suggests Mrs Dalton Hdts Ho6 Save MOI MOI
fathomed and unmaskcd my basencss this time.
j know your dear and sensitive little heart is set
upon this fascinating young / don't think
there is really any harm in him, and am mag
unanimous enough to be ready to show you how TO
obtain his affections, and to make him the sup
plant instead OF you
"Suppliant!" cries Dolly with fresh flames
from her burning heart ascending to hcr cheeks.
Yes, suppliant: Every one, my love, can see
he most of al-how YOU hang upon his smiles,
and despair when he is Indifferent or caprcious.'
Wrath makes Dolly absolutely speeches. II
Ok etc he etc. M Dalton her stf end
not having suffered any visible injury from the
lightning gances to which she has been subjected;
Keep your temper, and reap the advantages OF
my superior age and experience"
Keep them TO YOURSELF" retorts Dolly, tartly.
The first must. whether no. but the latter
shall be yours Come, dear child, you know
/ am fond of YOU believe me when say would
not have your enchanter at gift, and also that
am DESTROYS to see him subjugated by you. lie
shall be yours, L promise, ana Will only make
one condition"
Dolly seats herself on the sofa, and allows
Mrs. Dalton to take her hand though she looks
rather sully. Still, she does poor little girl,
in the marriage lottery, and is willing to take
upon herself his part Of the contract: to worship
him with her body and endow him With a all
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"
nc has good looks, good brains. and good manners,
when he is not egged on TO taking liberties BY the
silly batteries OF the other sex. Poor Dolly
loves him madly, and has innOcently shown her
pleasure in his notice and her suherings at his
Mrc dali hay VII IN civ
effect to her words Dolly, after q moment Is
constrained to say rather sulldly, Welli"
you must take the vow first"
What vow?" with latent irritation.
The vow never to tell any human being
Mr. Lascelles least of all-that or, for the matter
Of that, any one advised you how to act toward
him"
90, of course, 1 promise"
Promises arc like rie-crust," replies Mrs.
Dalton; then, with an air of great solemnty,
she goes TO a small bookcase at the end OF the
room, and comes back with Bible. y" You must
kiss the book" she says
20, no. cries Dolly, frightened For she
knows that she never kept secret in her life,
and is terrified at being put on an oath which
she may break In spite Of herself few hours
well says Mrs Dalton, firmly, do you
want him do you not?'
"Yes,' cries Dolly, with tears IN her eyes,
"Ido."
But how do know there is anything in what
you going to tell me ~ says doubling Dolly;
Because / say So Do not know the world
and men p
Dolly takes the book, trembling. What am
/ 10 say?" she falterS.
Say: swear not to tell Clement Lascelles
or any other person that Marion Dalton advised
how to win his affections
With a sudden desperate gesture Dolly kisses
she book and repeats the formula Now then"
ihe cries excitedly.
Mrs: Dalton takes up her parable. Clement
s really fond Of you-he would be exceedingly
fond Of you, II you only allowed him."
IF / allowed him." gasps Dolly.
"Yesn repeats her adviser a y allowing him.