The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-03
BEAUTY'S SECRET.
Hv ALAN MUIR.
author of "Vanity Hardaoare," Golden
Girls" Etc.

'Is-it-not-true," continued Mr.. Brent,
beating time to each word, as If he were
counting in music lesson, "that-you-jilt
-ed-a-gen-tle-ma ut-the-tlme
of - the - French-revolution" The as
founding form of this question, and possibly
some fact in her actual life which it brought
to sharp memory, caused Mrs. Temple to
change color But she was really too amazed
tomake any answer. Mr.. Brent was now a
kind of drawing room red Indian, and In the
exact frame of mind in which these children
of nature begin to feel for their tomahawk.
-did-you-not-l me to be
lieve that are-for-ty-fve-
no-more?" he demanded, still hitting his open
palm as he emitted each monosyllable.
Amidst all her amazement Mrs. Temple
could now see in what style she ought to treat
the man, and so, rising with admirable COM
posnre. she made as if she would ut the next
word ring the bell
''Mr Brent" she said severely, and she
said no more She looked striking; her
diminutive well-knit figure opposite his, which
was in funny posture, suggestive enough OF
tipsy rhetoric, and her stern still face looking
into his flushed and puffy visage.
'You cannot deny it," he went on, true
illustration of the old saying, that whom the
gods wish to destroy they first make mad
He might even yet have saved himself, if he
would have fairly noted her aspect; but still
he believed she TIRE embed before him! Under
that false impression was actually going to
have married you; in fact, might have mar
ried you, and not found out the truth till all
was over"
Mrs. Temple had by this time begun to get
a. l,oJo Elyof ho
general she was, she prepared to crush the
enemy First she stretched out her hand
imperiously, and signing to a small arm
chair.
"Sit down there" she said.
Amazed in his turn, but quailing already,
Mr. Brent obeyed. How he got safely seated
is mystery, for he never looked at the chair,
nor lifted his eyes from her.
"When you first came into this roOm," she
said in more imperious tones than before, II
thought you were drunk. The next minute
thought you were mad. 1t took a little
longer to show me that you are neither, but
only impertinent.
The little man gazed up at her open-mouthed,
ike a dying fish. All the strength of his fury
was gone.
How dare you ask me my agew she now
demanded, driving the question into him like
dagger He, realizing for the first time his
own absurdity, made no answer.
"When did 1 tell you was forty-fve?" she
asked, changing to a cold, sarcastic tone.
"Tell me-"
"Well," he stammered; II don't exactly
know; but everybody said that was your age,
and-and I"-he scratched his head with a
pitiable air-"1 supposed you must have told
them"
ooh, then it seems it was not 1 that
said 500"
"Oh, no. it was not you"
He made this admission eagerly, to show
that he was ready to be civil. She went on,
growing colder as he grew more confused:
You spoke OF marrying me; had you ever
asked me"
mo; had not" he replied, with dismal
expression of CONSERVATION. "But I-I-I-
fancied-"
"YOu fancied that you are so engaging that
the only question is whether you ask or not
The lady's reply would be like the vote of
thanks at your missionary meetings would
go by reclamation"
He hung his head 1t was a new ex-
perience in life for poor Mr. Brent to have to
sit silently by while the demonstration that
he was an ass was quietly and logically
worked out.
Nov, Mr. Brent" she said, calmly, "let
me enlighten you You are an amusing
chatterer and you have position in this place
/ did not object to know you, and to be on
easy terms with you But as to marrying
you, l should not have done it-not even if
you had knelt at my feet for year. You
are not agreeable to me. 1 don't think you
would be agreeable to many women. You
might find some one who would marry yOu
for your money; tell you candidly don't
think you will ever meet woman, be she
twenty-five or forty-five or seventy five, who
would marry you for yourself"
Mrs Temple" the miserable man said,
now thoroughly abashed, 81 feel have made
great blunder. Had l not better bring this
visit to an end."
Not unless you wish it," she answered
1--WE can change the subject, that will be suf-
ficient."
1t was the quintessence of contempt, and re-
duced him to the station of buzzing fly,
which need not be killed if it ceases to make
itself disagreeable
She rang the bell, and until the servant ap-
peared she allowed the clergyman to enjoy
his situation in silence
"Send the young ladies here" she said
Poor little Mr.. Brent hung his head low in
deed, as the girls came back. Suppressed fun
and curiosity were in their every feature; but
schOoled in self-possession by their mother,
they We're careful to appear as far as possible
uncOncerned.
"Girls," the little lady said, looking upon
them with eyes of fire, "Mr. Brent has been
here on curious mission"
He looked up at her, appealing for mercy,
and she returned his look with an expression
which he believed denoted that mercy was
out of the question.
He has been interested about an old
woman in this parish of whom he heard much
that was favorable. He was going to make
her parish annuitant; but, fortunately, be-
fore he committed himself he was told GER
tain facts about her. He learned that she
had misconducted herself at the time of-the
French revolution, was it not, Mr.. Brentg"
He could not answer. He looked at her
pet1iied and dumb.
"Mr. Brent has been very cautious. she
went on; 'he has not told me the name OF
this old woman. don't really think, girls
her history-or the business Mr.. Brent called
about-concerns you at all But still ]
thought would like to ask you if you have
heard OF any old woman in this parish who i,
very old, and tries to seem very young, WIN
misconducted herself during the French rev.
Olution?'
Never heard of her" the wondering girls
called out all together. "Don't yeu know her
namep
"You see, girls" she answered, aMr Brent
Is so very discreet that he never makes +
blunder. He oan hear everything and sa :
nothing. As said, it does not concern 70 i,
nor me either, only Mr.. Brent thought it did.
We shall not speak of the matter again.
No,r, Mr. Brent, shall we have our little
walk in the garden?"
He rose with them, trying to find word
which might enable him to play the part she
assigned him; but none came Only as ther
descended the fight of steps into the grounds