The times., 1890-01-03

lover has been great deal more apprecia-
tive: he has done me tho honor to make me
his confdante, and again say it was de-
liehtfu ul."
"I'm awfully mean," sobbed Lucia.
'Stop crying-at once" whispered Agnes
"How will your eyes look1 Oh. La. what
lucky girl you are'
'For cryiog" SAID Lucia, after Ettle
choke.
Ser having such man TO adore you
Why, he thinks no such woman ever walked
the earth before. He worships the floor you
tread, the air you breathe, the rustic of your
dress, the bend of your little finger, the"--
The list of adorable qualities might have
been prolonged had not little arm suddenly
encircled Miss Dinon's waist SO tightly that
further utterance was suspended Then Lucia
murmured:
''The silly fellowl I'm not half good
enough for him."
'Do you really think soY'
Indeed do; do, really"
"I'm so glad to hear you say so," said the
older girl, "for, honestly, Lu, Mr. Hayn has
SO much head and heart that he deserves the
best woman alive
Its such q comfort to be told So" muir
INJURED the younger girl.
Zone would suppose you had doubted it
and needed to he assured" said Agnes. with
quizzical smile.
"Oh, mol 'twasn't that" said Lucia hur
riedly "ilow could you think of such "a
thingi Butch, Agnes, you can't under.
stand, not having been in love yourself"
Miss Dinon looked grave for an instant, but
was quickly herself again, and replied, with
laugh and pinch bestowed upon the tip
Of Lucia's little ear
-
we poor old maids arc obliged to grope ini'
"Now, Agnesr pleaded Lucia. "Yoa know
I didn't mean to be offensive All l meant
was that you-that l. Oh, think he's all
goodness and sense and brightness and every
thing that's nice, but-and so, mean, like
to hear about it from everybody want to
hear him talked of all the while. and you
won't think me silly for it, will youl Because
he really deserves it. don't believe there's
his equal on the face of the earthl"
"I've heard other girls talk that way about
their lovers" said Agnes land I've been
obliged to hope their eyes might never DO
opened; but about the young man who is so
fond Of you don't differ with you in the
least He ought to marry the very best
woman alive"
Don't say that, OF shall become jealous
again. He ought to fad some one like you;
while I'm nothing in the world but a well
meaning little goose
"The daughter of your parents can't be
anything so dreadful, even if she tries; and
all young girls seem to try, you know. But
you really aren't going, to be satisfied to
marry Philip Hayn and be nothing but
plaything and pretty little tease to him,
are youl Its so easy to stops that; 80 many
girls whom know have ceased to grow or
improve in any way after marriage. They've
been so anxious to he cunning little things
that they've never become even women 1t
makes one almost able to forgive the ancients
for polygamy, to see"-
Agnes Dinonl How can you be so dread
rulr'
"To see wives 60 on year after year, per-
sisting in being as childish as before they
were married, while their husbands are ac-
quiring better sense and taste every year."
Lucia was sober and silent for moment:
then she said
"Do you know, Agnes-I wouldn't dare to
| say it to any other girl--do you know there
are times when I'm positively afraid Of Phila
He does know SO much. nnd him delightful
company-stop smiling hl that astonished
way, you dear old hypocritel-l mean find
him delightful company even when he's talk
ing to me about things never was much in
| terested in. And what else Is there for him
to talk abouti He's never proposed, you
know, and, though ! can't help seeing he is
very fond Of me, he doesn't even talk about
| love. But it is when he and papa get together
| and talk about what Is going on in the
world that get frightened; for he does know
| so mu, III. 1t isn't only that think so, you
know, papa himself says SO, he says he Rnds
| it pays better to chat with Phil than to read
the newspapers Now, you know, the idea
| Of marrying IA sort of condensed news
paper would be just too dreadful"
Husbands who love their wives are not
| likely to be condensed newspapers-not while
| they are at home; but do train yourself to be
| able to talk to your husband Of something
besides the petty affairs Of all Of your mutual
| acquaintances. have met some persons OF
| the masculine persuasion who were 80 redo
| lent Of the affairs Of the day as to be dread
full bores; IL they wearied me in half an hour
| what must their poor wives endurel But
| don't imagine that men are the only sinners
| in this respect. There isn't in existence a
more detestable uncomfortable, condensed
newspaper-thank you for the expression
than the young wife who in calling and re-
ceiving calls absorbs all the small gossip and
scandal OF a large circle. and unloads it at
| uiSut upOu u uuSDhilu WHO ~ Loo COulbcOuS w
| protest and too loyal, or perhaps merely too
weary, to run away. don't wonder that a
great many married men frequently spend
evenings at the clubs; even the southern
slaves used to have two half holidays a week.
besides Sunday"
| "Agnes Dinoni To hear you talk, one
would suppose you were going to cut of your
hair and write dreadful novels under man
| nish name"
ION the contrary, I'm very proud Of my
long hair and Of everything else womanly,
especially in sweet girls who are in love. As
for writing novels, I'm afraid, from the way
I've been going on for the past few moments,
that sermonizing, or perhaps lecturing, would
be more in the line Of my gifts. And the
company are going down to the dining room;
there's march playing, and see Phil strug.
Cling toward you. You're dear little thing
to listen to me so patiently, but you'll be
dearer yet IL you'll remember all I've said
You're going TO have a noble husband; do
prepare yourself to be his companion and
equal, so he may never tire Of you. Hosts
of husbands weary Of wives who are nothing
but sweet Even girls can't exist on CANDY
| alone, you know" lTo BE CoNTINUED.I m