The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-07-31
we're bent on securing the affection OF
that unfortunate individual, 'sths
WI AlnY;e, ~

we're bent on securing the affection OF
that unfortunate individual ''the
Widows Adonis."
"Pshaw!" muttered Carnforth, as he
watched the trio. suppose his
money is the attraction"
"Oi course it is Youdon't think
any woman would admire his looks,
do you?" retorted Maitland, squaring
his broad shoulders and arranging the
gardenia in his huttonhole. Women
are always mercenary," he added,
with sigh.
He had only a couple of hundred q
year and his pay. A good matri-
monial venture would have set him
firmly on his financial feet again, for
it would have enabled him to bid de-
fance to q certain Jew money-lender
who held more OF his paper" than he
cared to think OF. Besides, he really
admired Mrs Somers. add it enraged
him to see her show this marked pref
erence for Brandon.
Meanwhile tie latter. in serene UNI
consciousness of the wrath he was
rousing in two manly bosoms, was
thoroughly enjoying himself The old
audgo ul1t uOU AOlu SOOu lOI OAC03 EA0
found three excellent company. He
admired both his fair companions,
and their all but open rivalry lent q
delightful piquancy to their converse.
ton. Each was so ANXIOUS to out
shine the other that their talk was
almost brilliant, and little Fitz
was kept we'll amused. Like many
men who are not remarkable Tor wit,
he admired women who could skillful-
ly use that essentially feminine weap-
on, the tongue; nothing charmed him
more than a ready retort or neat
epigram; and even satire, ifnot leveled
against himself, pleased him.
That morning both ladies had hoped
to secure him for an hours chat; it was
unfortunate that the hopes OF both
should be fulfilled and yet baf1ed.
Minna wished to have him all to her
self; it was really most provoking that
Clementina's wishes clashed with hers.
care y on going to Mrs. Eaton's this
afternoon? asked the latter, in the soft
lisping tones her friends stigmatized as
"absurdly affected but which many
people thought charming.
"Yes-that is if you and Mrs. Des.
mond will be there" replied the gallant
little man promptly.
Mrs. Somer's blue eyes clouded.
This was not all what she wanted.
Minna's face frightened; evidently
Brandon did not care much for dear
Clementina's society.
81. eyes, Ishall certainly co. she said,
shedding her brightest smile on Fitz.
II thought, Clementina, you meant to
drive out to Richmond to call on our
Lady Merryweather, she added
sweetly, at the same time darting a
half FAINT glance across at Cleinen-.
tina.
To Richmond" echoed the other,
arching her delicate eyebrows; 1.-THE
dust would be simply intolerable, and
old Lady Merryweather is my aver
sion. Besides I never like to miss one
OF Mrs. Eaton's matinees. You know
how / dote on music :"
''What a fb!" thought Minna. II
don't believe she knows Rule Britain
MIA from the Dead March in Saul. y
But she made no audiable remark,
and the three arranged to meet later
at Mrs. Eaton's. 5#
Clementina had acharming little
house in Park street, and she prided
herself greatly on the artistic ar
rangement of her rooms. Her estap-
lishment was small, but the servants
were admirably drilled and kept up
to the mark by q young lady--a
cousin-who acted as sort ofthum-
BILE companion to the fair widow.
Indeed, much of the credit Mrs. Som
ers received for perfect taste, both in
personal and household adjournment.
should have been placed to this y Dung
lady's account. 4
On returning from her matutinal
airing i'll the Row, Clementina was not
In the best of tempers, and Mary Grey
had rather a bad time of it. Every
thing was wrong; the outlets at lunch-
con were pronounced UNBEATABLE, the
claret corked, the flowers faded, and
the lap. dogs condition anything but
what it should be.
Fortunately Mary had the command
Of temper proper to dependent and
poor relation; she listened to all the
reports in silence and with eyes meek
~ downcast. and afterward went
through her customary duty o. dress
Ing her patron ess, for Mrs. Somers
kept no maid; Mary was more skilful
and so much cheaper than the ordi.
nary run of Abigails; without evincing
scintilla Of the wrath that was
smouldering in her bosom.
But when the lady had departed, ar
rayed in full war-paint and feathers,
as the irreverent Miss Grey put it, the
humble companion performed a sort
OF pas d'extase round the room, look
ed at herself in the glass-she was
very pretty, for her grey
eyes were wonderfully bright and
expressive, and her complexion was
simply perfect shook her fist at the
lap-dog, sang snatch Of a popular
French chansonette, and finally sub
sided into the most comfortable easy
chair in the room, and drew from her
pocket a letter, which she read more
than once. .
."Ah, my dear cousin Clementina,"
she said aloud, smiling maliciously, as
she carefully refolded the letter and
put it back into her pocket; you are
very we'll in your way, tolerably good
looking, when en- grande tenue, but
not clever.