The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-03-08
A CANDOR CLUB.
Unforeseen Results 1t Happily
Brought About.

"Haven't l told you how much de-
test fiattery? Even praise, and even
when my vanity tells me it is merited,
makes me distrustful of the person ut
tering it,
"Yes, r believe you have expressed
that idea," replied Melville lazily: land
now perhaps you will kindly tell me to
what your remark is relevant?"
'And can you ask that" said she,
latter your repeated persistent attempts
to fiatter me?'
81 have made no such attempt, as l
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 l made singular impression on
you the first time you saw me?"
Yes, l presume I said that; and, it is
true, you did. You impressed me as be-
ing the most original person 1 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, if I remember
rightly, that my taste was remarkable
called this gown 1 wear unusually at
tractive.'
I've no doubt that l did," said he.
at certainly attracted no little atten-
ton as we came through the streets.
saw Teed, the painter take it in some
what interestedly, and l fancied, too,
that he shrugged his shoulders trifle;
but his ideas ofcolor harmony may differ
slightly from yours You see, my friend, :"
he continued, 81 use words advisedly,
and say exactly what l mean. My fault,
as you will find, is really frankness, not
fiattery." 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
veying her gown with pouting pre-
tense of vexation; and then, reluctant
to 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 that?'
Melville left his pebble-shooting and
looked into her face with little mis-
chievous twinkle in his eyes. 81 had
just come homo from the West, Miss
Mayne, from wandering life in the
mountains and on the frontier. You are
really the only woman with whom |
have talked much in more than year.
think was not inaccurate in my re-
mark"
Secretly provoked to see his words of
supposed praise resolve themselves into
doubtful compliments, or worse, and yet
amused at her own discontinue, the
girl laughed merrily. well, l take
back my charge, | retract fully and re-
pent. The mistake | made was in as
Stunning that you were like all the rest
of mankind-like Charlie or John, who
fancy it part of their duty to woman
to continually feed her vanity with
sugared compliments"
"4es, you are quick to Jump at con-
clusions," he replied, with smile.
"But have an idea. Let us organize
ourselves into Candor Club or an Anti
Elattery Society, with membership
limited to two, and see if we can not be-
come acquainted with each other. Iquite
believe that it is possible for a man and
woman to be real, true friends. OF
course, we know it is easy enough to be
lovers or haters, but to be good friends,
that's quite another thing. Yet think
it can be done. Will you not try the
, experiment? Every one ought to have
one friend, and l have none, now, since
lost my brave old comrade out among
the mountains"
There was something of sadness il his
voice, usefulness that touched hid
den string in the girls heart, and she
replied: Indeed, shall be happy to be
your friend, and to believe you mine. u
After which, for u moment, neither one
made any remark. He gazed away abb
sently over the CLASSY waters, and she
mechanically twisted and turned the
glittoring brilliant on her engagement
6nGeN