The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-03-13
A CANDOR CLUB.
Unforeseen Results It Happily
Brought About.


Brought About.
Haven't l told YOU how much de-
test flattery? Even praise. and even
when my vanity tells me it is merited,
makes me distrustful Of the person ut
tering it.
Yes, believe you have expressed
that idea, replied Melville lazilv: ..and
now perhaps You will kindly tell me to
what your remark is relevant?"
And can you ask that" said she,
"aftcr your repeated persistent attempts
to fiatter me:"
Il have made no such attempt. as I
think you will admit on reflection. re-
sponded the gentleman. placidly, while
he idly tossed pebbles into the water.
Indeed. did you not just now tell me
that | made a singular impression on
You the first time you saw me?''
Yes, presume said that: and. it is
true. you did. You impressed me as be-
ing the most original person had lately
met-as being quite singular"
oh. said the girl. coloring slightly
at having placed the other more COM
plimentary Interpretation on his re-
mark.
But you also said, il l remember
rightly. that my taste was remarkable
called this gown wear unusually at
tractive.' .
i've no doubt that did, said he.
ut certainly attracted no little atten-
ton as We came through the streets. l
saw Teed, the painter. take it in some
what interestcdly, and fancied. too,
that he shrugged his shoulders trifie;
but his ideas of color harmony may differ
slightly from yours. You see. my friend, =
he continued. Il use words adyisedly,
and say exactly what ! mean. Nv fault,
as you will find, is really frankness. not
flattery." So speaking, as he half-re-
clined on the beach by her side, he shot
some more pebbles into the lake. with
what seemed an unnecessary effort at
accuracy of aim.
well, this color combination quite
suits me-" replied the young lady, sur
seying her gown with a pouting pre-
tense of vexation; and then, reluctant
70 give up beaten: but you surely did
say, Mr.. Melville, and confused me very
much at the time, that you found more
in me to admire than you had found in
any other woman for long time. and
more in that same tenor, until cut you
short. Perhaps you can also explain
away fhat?'
Melville left his pebble-shooting and
looked into her face with little mis-.
chicvous twinkle in his eyes. II had
just come home from the West, Miss
Mayne, from q wandering life in the
mountains and on the frontier. You are
really the only woman with whom
have talked much in more than a year.
think was not inaccurate in my re.
mark"
Secretly provoked to see his words o,
supposed praise resolve themselves into
doubtful compliments, or worse. and yer
amused at her own discontinue. the
girl laughed merrily. Well, | take
back my charge. retract fully and re
pent. The mistake made was in as
Stunning that you were like all the res
of nnnkind-like Charlie or john VIII.
fancy it part Of their duty to woman
to continually feed her vanity will
sugared compliments"
Yes, you are quick to jump at con
illusions" he replied, with a smile
but have an idea. Let us organic,
ourselves into Camden Club or an Anti
Flattery Society, with membership
limited to two, and see If we can not be
come acquainted with each other. Iquit,
believe that it is possible for man an,
woman to be real, true friends. o
course, we know it is easy enough to b,
lovers or haters. but to be good friends
that's quite another thing. Yet thinl
it can be done. Will you not try the
experiment? Every one ought to have
one friend, and have none, now, since
] lost my brave old comrade out among
the mountains"
There was something of sadness in hi
voice, q wistfnlness that touched a hid
den string in the girls heart, and sh,
replied: Indeed, shall be happy to b.
your friend, and to believe you mine.
After which, for moment, neither ont
made any remark. He gazed away alb
sently over the CLASSY waters, and sh'
mechanically twisted and turned tn,
glittsring brilliant on her engagement
finger.
During the day. Melville. who ha,
come to their picnic stranger to mos
OF the party, was introduced to Charlie
and easily guessed him to be the gentle
man whose ring Miss Mayne was wear
ing. He was lively. good-hearted
rattle-headed young fellow, with littl
ambition other than to live to his iikin
on an inherited fortune. wearing part
cOlored flannel suits, and chasing law
tennis balls. Comprehending at
glance the young mans shallow ns
ture, Melville frequently found himsel
wondering how Laura Mayne, superio
girl, girl with ideas. could find his 81
cicty congcnial or even to.erable. Fai
ing ~ solve the problem to his satisfas
ton he gave it up; but only to find
ever recurring to his mind.
Meanwhile the summer days drifte
by. Melville, who had known Laura
brother ct college, was welcome Gale
~ their konse, and the girl. who care
little fer the sports which intereste
her .fdaee, walked and talked with tn
entertaining, thoughtful stranger, who's
wit, wide experience, easy courtesy, an
Eoodhnno:ed cynicism made him
charming eoapanion. In converse wit
him, they wandered In broader fields {
thought. far above the stratum of smal
talk and trivialities in which so man
vary respectable people pass their live!
1ndaod sx far removed from tha ord