The Washington critic., 1890-02-24
HOW he LIKED IT HIMSELF

| beautiful Creole race who blossom 80 early
! into womanhood aud she had the dignity
/ Of young princess as she stood there, ali
| in white, with her ietblack hair gathered
| into net of cleaning gold.
! Young L'Estrango looked first mt his
/ wife and then at his uncle with natural
/ pride.
'1Iere she is, sirn' said he. "My little
/ DolOres!n
And then the old gentleman courteouslv
advanced, holding out one slender, arisl6-
cratic hand, ON which genmed Il diamond
of rare size and water.
81 am very glad TO see you, my DEAR
said he, courteously, and not without a ten
der accent Of affection.
Aud from that moment all Dolores secret
fear and dread of her husbands uncle
vanished.
al am so glad you are not a cross old
crab,n she said, impulsively.
"Has Paul given me such bad charac-
ter as that?'' said the old gentleman,
smiling.
"Oh, no, no." cried Dolores. "But he
always says, My uncle Will like this-mv
uncle will disapprove of that until, don't
you see, | have learned to be afraid of this
unseen poientate "But," with shake of
the blue-black curls, 81 am not ofraid now
oh, am sure / shall love YOU very, very
much! Might | kiss you, pleaseW
You might try," said the Major, looking
very much pleased; and from that moment
Major L. Estrange and his niece-in-law were
sworn allies and firm friends
''And you love him very much.?n said the
! Major, speaking, of course, of the one
Prince Charming who had ensnared the
Creole's heart.
"Oh, yeslN cried Dolores. 81 am sure,
Uncle Gerald, that there is no one like him
in all the world. No one!"
"And he is good to you ~
"Yes, always.n
"And you are happy ?'
"1es, and--eXcept-"
"Hallovi said Uncle Gerald. "liere's
flaw in the diatnond-a crumplc in the rose
leaves There ought to be no such thing as
an except!'
"There isn't stoutly maintained Dol
ores. "Only--"
'Tt's the same thing" said Uncle Gerald,
shaking his head. can only' Come, Do
ber, is good for the soul. What Is the
meaning Of this mysterious 'onlyg"
Dolores hung down her head, the ink
black lashes dropped over her peach-blos-
som cheek.
at isn't anything at all, Uncle Gerald,o
said she. "Only-I should like little
money to spend sometimes
"Eh!' said the Major. "Why how is
this? Paul isn't a miser, hope.n
''Not in the least" cried Dolores. "But
butt hardly know how to explain my
self-he thinks | ought to come to him for
every penny / spend. He thinks | should
keep within certain limit. OF course he's
right, but It's little hard sometimes.
There's no need for woman's spending
money, he says
"Ah.' commented the Major.
"And l 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 n 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 orgau-grinder, or
beg2ar or poor woman selling buttons
and oestrngs, why, have my rings and
my ribbons and my bracelets, but nothing
clse.n
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-yines
sit is hard CASE said he.
eyes, isn't itg" cried Dolores, earnestly.
81 told Paul he ought to give me regular
sum for pin-money, but he only laughs at
me, and says ! am little goose. How
would he like it himself, wonder?n
"Ahp' said the Major; show, indeed?n
"And ilowersw cried Dolores, clasping
her hands 'There was q fower-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 1t 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.
Paul L L'Estrange came up from the city
that evening in excellent spirits.
MY dear uncle,' he said, ~ shall have
to call on your generosity once again. Only
fancy my meeting Hall and Oyington on
the parade this afternoon Aud they tell
me that Colonel Praed and young Jennings
are in town also. So have just ordered
little bachelor supper at Auranio's for to-
morrow evening""
"Ah? /" said Major l. L'Estrange.
81 looked at that chestnut mare, sir"
added Paul. "She is simply perfect, so |
told the man to bring her up here. ! am
to have her for 1915. It's bargain
"Indeed?r
Paul L'Estrange turned quickly around
and looked at his uncle.
''ls anything the matter, sir2" said he.
'The matter? No. Why should there
be?n
"Only your tone was so pecular-that is
all"
well 10 tell the truth was thinking"
said Major l. 'Estrange.
''Of what, sir?' questioned Paul.
''Of where you meant to get the money
In for all tbpsa flipnc ~ 1rV1,,
swered the old man.
"Why, from you, Of course!n said Paul,
half puzzled, half amused. 'You have
always given me all the money wanted.n
But that is no sign that / shall always
continue TO do So" deliberately remark cd
the old gentlemen. "Look here, Paul, /
am thinking of turning over new leaf.n
IL don't understand you, sir!'
Don't you? Then must endeavor to
elucidate my meaning little. The money
is mine, isn't it?''
"Most assuredly it is" Paul answered,
with knitted brows.
"Well, then, have a right to deal it out
as please. And | am seriously thinking
of stopping your allowance"
"Of-stopping my allowance, Uncle Ger !
ayes. If you want anything you can
come to me for it, you know
"like a schoOl-b0y, Uncle Gerald!n cried |
the young man, with crimsoning temples.
"Why not?n serenely questioned the old |
gentleman. "Do you know, I've an idea |
that it makes man eXtravagant to have
the handling of too much money. That, / |
believe, is your opinion, also.n
''Mine, eh?'' echoed Paul.
at is what you tell your wife," said |
Uncle J. L'Estrange, with a twitch of the /
corners of his mouth.
Paul looked puzzled.
"But she is woman, sir'
"And ergo, she has no wants Is that |
logic, my boyS''
81 am ALWAYS ready to give her ANYTHING /