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


with large eyes and heightened color to re-
ccivc her new uncle.
She was only l6, 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 LEstOngc looked first at his
wife and then at his uncle with natural
pride
"Herc she is, sir" said he "My little
Dolores!n
And then the old gentleman courteously
advanced, holding out one slender, aristo-
cratic hand, on which cleaned a diamond
OF rare size and water.
81 am very glad to see you, my dear"
said he, courtCously, 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 cross old
crab,n she said, impulsively.
"Has Paul given me such a bad charac-
ter as that?n said the old gentleman,
smiling.
"Oh, no, no!n cried Dolores. "But he
always says, My uncle Will like this--my
uncle will dsapprove of that, until, don't
you see, | have learned to be afraid of this
unseen potentate. "But,n with shake of
the blue-blac curls, "l am not afraid now!
oh, am sure shall love you very, very
much! Might kiss you, pleasem
"You might try" said the Major, looking
very much pleased: and from that moment
Major J. 'Estrange and his niece-in-law were
sworn allies and firm friends.
"And you love him very much Z" said the
Major, speaking, of course, of the one
Prince Charming who had ensnared the
Creole's heart.
"Oh, yesl' cried Dolores. "I am sure,
Uncle Gerald, that there is no one like him
in all the world. No onen'
"And he is good 10 you ~
"Nes, always
"And you are happy 2"
ayes, and-except-"
"Hallo!" said Uncle Gerald. "Here's n
flaw in the diamond--a crumple in the rose
leaves! There ought to be no such thing as
an except"
"Therc isn't stoutly maintained Dol
ores. "Only-n
"it's the same thing" said Uncle Gerald,
shaking his head. "An only" Come, Do
lores, what is it? Open confession, remem-
her, is good for the soul. What Is the
meaning of this mysterious 'only?
Dolores hung down her head, the ink
black lashes dropped over her peach-blos
som cheek.
at isn't anything at all, Uncle Gerald"
money to spend sometimes
"Ehr' said the Major. "Why how is
this? Paul isn't a miser, hope"
mot in the least" cried Dolores. "But
butt hardly know how to explain my
self-he thinks | ought to come to him for
every penny l spend. lie thinks | should
keep within certain limit. OF course he's
right, but it's a little hard sometimes.
There's no need for woman's spending
money, he says"
"Ah!'' commented the Major.
"And ] wanted some bon-bons dread
fully Yesterday said Dolores, laughing
and blushing. ''Of course it's ridiculous
grown woman like me wanting bon-bons.
like child; but indeed, Uncle Gerald,
couldn't help it; and | was ashamed to ask
Paul for a dollar to buy French candies
with; and if there's an organ-grinder, or II
beagar, or poor woman selling buttons
and shoe. strings, why, have my rings aud
my ribbons and my bracelets, but nothing
else.''
The Major smiled and strokcd his white
silk beard as he sat there in the bamboo
chair in the shadow of the sweet Southern
passion-vines.
''It is hard case,n said he.
Eyes, isn't itg'' cried Dolores, earnestly.
81 told Paul he ought to give me a regular
sum for pin-money, but he only laughs at
me, and says ] am little goose. How
would he like it himself, wonder?n
"Ahr' said the Major; show, indeed?''
"And llowers" cried Dolores, clasping
| her hands. "There was a flower girl along
yesterday with the sweetest Japan lilies
and tuberoses- and | could not buy one!
And tuberoses always make me think Of
beautiful New Orleans. Oh, Uncle Gerald,
did so want those waXen darlings! But
Paul says it makes woman eXtravagant to
have all the money she wants! Would the
tuberoses have been extravagant, Uncle
| Gerald?n
"No," said the old gentleman, looking at
the beautiful speaking face. II don't
think they would. But now, little Dolores,
there comes your pony up the drive. Go
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.
Pau L'Estrange came up from the city
that evening in excellent spirits
"My dear uncle" lie said ~ shall have
to call on your generosity once again. Only
fancy my meeting Hall and Ovington on
the parade this afternoon! And they tell
me that Colonel Praed and young Jennings
| are in town also. So ! have just ordered a
little bachelor supper at Auranio's for to-
morrow evening"
"Ah?n said Major I'Estrange.
81 looked at that chestnut mare, sir,n
added Paul. "She is simply perfect, so |
told the man to bring her up here. l am
to have her for 1875. It's bargain"
'Indeed?n
Paul L'Estrange turned quickly around
and looked at his uncle.
SIS anything the matter, sir?' said he.
"The matter? No. Why should there
beg'
"Only your tone was so peculiar-that is
all"
"Well to tell the truth, was thinking y
said Major L'Estrange.
"Of what, sir?n questioned Paul.
| "Of where you meant to get the money
to pay for all these things" dryly an
swered the old man.
! "Wby, from you, OF course!' said Paul,
half puzzled, half amused. "You have
always given me all the money wanted
"But that is no sign that shall always
continue TO do so," deliberately remark ed
the old gentlemen. 'Look here, Paul,
am thinking of turning over a new leaf.n
~ don't understand you, sir"
e'Don't YOU? Then / must endeavor tt
elucidate my meaning little. The money
is mine, isn't ity''
"Most assuredly it is" Paul answered
with knitted brows.
"Well, then, have right to deal ii ou
as ! please. And ! am seriously thinking
of stopping your allowance"
"Of-stopping my allowance, Uncle Ger
aid?n
"Yes. If you want anything you cal
come to me for it, you know
"Iike school-boy, Uncle Gerald" criet
the young man, with crimsoning temples.
"Why not?" serenely questioned the OLE
gentleman. "Do you know, I've an ide
that it makes man eXtraVagant to hay
the handling of too much money. That
believe, is your opinion, also.n
"Mine, eb?n echoed Paul.
at is what you tell your wife, sal
Uncle L'Estrange, with a twitch OF tn
corners of his mouth.
Paul looked puzzled.