The Washington critic., 1890-02-24
HOW HE LIKED IT HIMSELF.

trauge to himself "Why, she is nothing
lut child aud lovely child, too -
The soft yellow twilight was enfolding
the drawing-toum In its enchanted glamour,
ard Dolores, rising FROM her piano, stood
with large eyes and heightened color to re-
Crive her new uncle.
She wss only lG, but she belonged to the
beautiful Creole race who blossom SO early
into womanhood, and she had the dignity
OF young princess as she stood there all
in white, with her jet black hair gathered
into net of cleaning gold.
Young LEstrangc looked first at his
wife and then ut his uncle with natural
pride.
"Here she is, sir" said he. "My little
Doloresn'
Aud then the old gentleman courteously
advanced, holding out one slender, aris.o-
cratic hand, ON which CLEANED a diamond
Of rare size and water.
"l am very glad to see you, my dear,n
said he, courteously, and not without ten
der accent of affection.
And from that moment all Dolores secret
fear and dread Of her husbands uncle
vanished.
"l am so glad you are not a cross old
crab" she said, impulsively.
"Has Paul given me such bad charac-
ter as thatY" said the old gentleman,
smiling.
"Oh, 70, mol" cried Dolores. "But he
always says, My uncle VIII like this-my
uncle will disnpprove of that until, don't
YOU see, | have learned to be afraid of this
unseen potentatel "But," with shake of
the blue-black curs, ~ am not ofraid now!
Oh, am sure shall love you very, very
much! Might kiss you, pleaseW
''Iou might try" said the Major looking
very much pleased; and from that moment
Major L'Estrange and his niece-in-law were
sworn allies and firm friends.
"And you love him very much g'' said the
Minor, speaking, of course, of the one
Prince Charming who had ensnared the
Creole's heart.
ooh, yesr' cried Dolores. "I am sure,
Uncle Gerald, that there is no one like him
In oil the world. No oneI'
''And he is good to you ~
"Yes, always"
"And you are happy ?"
"Yes, and-except-n
"Hallor' said Uncle Gerald. "Here's
flaw in the diamond-a crumple in the rose
leavesl There ought to be no such thing as
an except"
There isn't,n stoutly maintained Dol
ores. "Only--n
otis the same thing" said Uncle Gerald,
shaking his head. "An 'onlyr Come, Do
lorcs, what is til Open confession, remem-
Der, is good for the soul. What is the
Dolores hung down her head, the ink
black lashes dropped over her peach-bos-
som cheek.
ut isn't anything at all, Uncle Gerald"
said she. "Only-I should like little
money to spend sometimes
"Ebl" said the Major "Why how is
this? Paul isn't miser, | hope.n
mot in the least" cried Dolores. "But
-hut-I hardly know how to explain my
p1r ba thiuke I ouUbt n pOmp N him for
every penny spend. He thinks [ should
keep within a certain limit. OF course he's
right, but it's little hard sometimes.
There's no need for woman's spending
money, he says"
"Ahr' commented the Major.
"And / wanted some boD-bons dread
fully Yesterday said Dolores, laughing
and blushing. "Of course it's ridiculous
grown woman like me wanting DOn-bons,
| like child; but indeed, Uncle Gerald, |
couldn't help it; and | was ashamed to ASK
Paul for n dollar TO buy French candies
with; and If there's an organ-grinder, or Il
| beggar, or a poor woman selling buttons
and shoe strings, why, have my rings and
my ribbons and my bracelets, but nothing
else.n
The Major smiled and stroked his white
silk beard as he sat there in the bamboo
chair in the shadow of the sweet Southern
| passion-vines.
at is a hard case" said he.
"Yes. isn't it!n cried Dolores, earnestly.
81 told Paul he ought to give me regular
sum for pin-money, but he only laughs at
me, and says i am a little goose. How
would he like it himself, wonder9''
"Ah!'' said the Major; show, indeed?"
"And fowers!" cried Dolores, claspine
her hands. "There was flower girl along
yesterday with the sweetest Japan lilies
and tuberoses- / could not buy one
And tuberoses always make me think OF
beautiful New Orleaus. oh, Uncle Gerald
] did so want those waXen darlings But
Paul says It makes woman extravagant tc
have all the money she wants Would the
tuberoses have been extravagant, Uncle
Gerald?"
"No," said the old gentleman, looking al
the beautiful speaking face. II don'l
think they would. But now, little Dolores
there comes your pony up the drive. &c
for your airing, and leave me to Sleep"
But the Major did not sleep at all. He
meditated. He faced the financial problem
of the L'Estrange household, and resolved
to conquer it.
Paul l. Estrange came up from the city
that evening in excellent spirits.
"My dear uncle" he said, 'sI shall hay,
to call on your generosity once again. Only
fancy my meeting Hall and Oyington OF
the parade this afternoon! And they tel
me that Colonel Praed and young Jenning,
are in town also. So l have just ordered
little bachelor supper at Auranio's for to
morrow evening"
"Ah?n said Major L'Estrange
81 looked at that chestnut mare, sir,
added Paul. "She is simply perfect, SO
told the man to bring her up here. 1 an
to have her for 1915. It's a, bargain"
'Indeed?"
Paul L'Estrange turned quickly around
and looked at his uncle.
sis anything the matter, sir?" said he.
'The matter? No. Why should there
"Only your tone was so peculiar-that 4
all.n
"Well, to tell the truth, was thinking,
said Major L'Estrange.
"Of what, sir?" questioned Paul.
"Of where you meant to get the none,
to pay for all these things" dryly an
swered the old man.
"Why, from you, of coursel" said Paul
balf puzzled, half amused. "You hav,
always given me all the money wanted
"But that is no sign that | shall Away
continue to do So" deliberately remark et
the old gentlemen. "Look here, Paul,
am thinking of turning over a new leaf"
81 don't understand you, STRIP
"Don't you? Then | must endeavor T.
elucidate my meaning little. The none
is mine, isn't it?''
"Most assuredly it is," Paul answered
with knitted brows.
"Well, then, have a right to deal it ou
as please. And | am seriously thinkin
of stopping your allowance"
"Of-stopping my allowance, Uncle Gel
adT"
"Yes. If you want anything you ca
| p0Tna tO mo for IT, VOu know ~