Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-30
TWO WAYS OF ASKING.

'ouas, moueieu on the style OF Louis QuinZe,
with dash Of Liberty" thrown in, and mod
ern accessories such az crystal flower vases,
three-volume novels, and photograph stands,
iuxtaposed with Queen Anne silver and nick
nacks, ancient and modern. Dramatis per-
soma: graceful figure in white, flung with an
air Of desolation on the floor beside sofa her
charming nuque visible beneath delicious little
rows Of golden curls, her frame shaken by sobs:
an older woman standing few yards distant,
dark, beautifully dressed "good-looking
enough for anything" without being distinctly
handsome, aged somewhere within the right
side OF thirty, and wearing an expression half
compassion, half amused There is a suspicion
Of railery in her voice, which is felt and deeply
resented by the fair Borrower. Anger is often
akin to sorrow, as pity is to love, and the voice
which responds to the question when reiterated
is decidedly petulant
Il wish you would 60 away and leave me
alone"
Il shall not 10 anything of the sort" returns
the other. Il 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"
oh responds the voice, still smothered in
the sofa cushions. but losing nothing OF its re-
sentful quality, Il know how clever you are.
and that you think you can manage every ones
aHa1rs better than themselves.
She intends this to be nasty one" and, as
a matter of fact. it does not fall very pleas
antly on the ears of her interlocutor: 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 we're you, would have Mr.. Clement
Lascelles at my feet in a 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, 1
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 think that 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 it is not very
easy to believe your sincerity when he sit
ting in your pocket all last night, and you were
out walking with him for two hours this morn
ing"
I'm any case" replies Mrs. Dalton. coollv.
''your remarks prove that have had time and
opportunity to form an opinion of his qualities.
don't deny that he is good-looking. but it is
intolerable that he should be SO conscious of it.
l admit that he is not without a certain amount
OF cleverness, and has been fairly well edu-
Gated: but / vic emily object to his thinking
himself able to sit in judgment on people
good deal older and cleverer than himself"
''On you, for instance" cries Dolly.
"No, was not thinking of myself, though 1
admit the soft impeac hment (the one regarding
my age. at ieast), and what / dislike most Of
all is his placing himself on a 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 inditferently
well upon her. If 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 NINE"
Then, her majesty suddenly topping over,
she says. vindctivey, in quite different voice.
Perhaps you think 1 am such fool that l don't
see through your mean abuse of himI''
That may win and wear him MYSELF" sug-
gests Mrs Dalton. quite good humoredly. No,
! my dear and acute child, believe me, you have
not fathomed and unmasked my baseness this
time. / know Your dear little heart is set upon
this fascinating young man. don't think there
is really any harm in him. and am magnani-
M Gus 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 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 speechless.
|
Don't be goose, Dolly" resumes her
| friend not having suffered any visible injury
| from the lightning glances to which she has
been subjected. Keep your temper and reap
the advantages Of my superior age and ex-
perience."
Keep them to yourself" retorts Dolly,
| tartly.
The first must, whether or no, but the
! latter shall be yours. Come, dear child, you
| know am fond Of you; believe me- when saw
/ / moi have apnh for .riFt
also that am DESTROYS to see him subjugated
by you. He shall be yours, promise, and
will only make one condition"
| Dolly seats herself on the sofa and allows
| Mrs. Dalton to take her hand, though she looks
rather sulky. Still, she does, poor little girl,
regard Mr.. Clement Lascelles as the first prize
| in the marriage lottery, and ia willing to take
upon herself his part OF the contract to wor-
ship him with her body, and endow him with
| all 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 manners, when he Is not egged on to tax
ing liberties by the silly batteries of the other
sex. Poor Dolly loves him madiy and has in
nocently shown her pleasure in his notice and
| her suffering at his neglect Mrs. Dalton hav-
ing paused to give due effect to her words,
Dolly, after moment, Is constrained to say,
rather sulkily:
"Wenr
"You must take the VOW first"
| "What vow?' with latent irritation.
1.-THE vow never to tell any human being
Mr.. Lascelles least of all--that l, or, for the
matter Of that, any one, advised you how to
act towards him."
| "Oh, of course promise
| promises are like pie-crust," replies Mrs
Dalton; then, with an air of great solemnity
| she goes to a small book case at the end of the
| room, and comes back with Bible You must
kiss the book" she says
"Oh, no." cries Dolly, frightened. For she
knows she never kept a secret in her life and
is terrified at being put on an oath which she
may break, in spite Of herself, a few hours
| later.
| We'll" said Mrs. Dalton, firmly, edo you
| want him or do you not?"
YES" cries Dolly, with tears in her eyes, II
do"
Then kiss the book"
| "But how do l know there is anything in
what You are going to tell me?'' says doubt
ing Dolly.
Because say So Do not know the world
and men?"
Dolly takes the book, trembling. "What am
/ to say2" she falters.
| Say: i swear not to tell Clement Lascelles
| or any other person that Marian Dalton ad-
vised me how to win his Affections"
| With q sudden desperate gesture Dolly kisses
the book and repeats the formula. snow.
| then" she cries, excitedly.
Mrs. Dalton takes up her parable. "Clement
| IL really fond of you-he would be exceedingly
fond OF you, II you only allowed him."