San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-07
a man." said 'w1ndward,

lyon say well" replied McArdle.
"And you might initiate him as claim
ant. And now if you, like him, are, as
it were, only incidentally such, you will
enjoy your stay very much. Society here
is very fascinating, vulgar in spots, bat
always interesting. In Washington, as
nowhere else, you will find yourself
among famous men and beautiful wom-
en-in short, the successful of both
sexes.
Louise looked up from her fancy work
at this remark and said with pout,
How lucky am to have regular feat
uresr'
Very" replied the iniexible colonel.
Mr.. Bassett," he exclaimed, what is
your scale of merit in woman
well, really" faltered Windward,
startled by the sudden and searching
question, II don't know as l can give
it on the instant"
Il can give mine and yours and
every mans who will be honest" said
the colonel. "First, physical beauty;
second, amiabi1ity of disposition; third
character; fourth, accomplishments"
"You don't fiatter us" said Louise.
1.-The list is more fiastering than the
reverse" reterted the colonel-"the
woman's scale for men,"
.SOh, do let us have it," exclaimed
Louise. i.t- =l@. ".
q Force, courtesy, beauty, worth, "
said McArdle grimly. ''And you can't
deny it!'
Il do, though" retorted Louise.
The colonel drew back in his arm
chair and pulled a moment at his cigar,
as if summoning his resources for pro
tracted and hazardous controversy.
When / was a young man." he final
ly began-''that was long ago-a noted
society expert gave me bit of advice,
rather cynical, but full of worldly wis
dom. 'McArile,' said he, If you want
to be popular with the ladies, and Of
course you do, follow one simple rule
Whenever you are introduced to won-
an be sure to remark presently to one or
two mutual friends, What pretty girl
she ism That is always carried to her.
and the thing is done; the rest is detail;
flavor to the taste, as the cooks say"
But suppose she isn't pretty?'' asked
him. a. s.-a.. #..f.s s..5as.s - f..
'She probably is, but if not, SO much
the better. In that case be sure to say
so. And be in such cases specific. For
every woman has something good about
her, face, eyes, hair, shape, gait, air, and
50 you shoC'd clinch the compliment by
a bill of particulars. Such a pretty girl,
such style, such lovely teeth It's all
true. As a society man you want to ad-
mire easily, be readily pleased and show
pleasure. Let any young woman put all
her finery on, and set out to be seen at
her best and she is charming object.
See it and own it, and you will be charm
ing. too"
"One question" said to the veteran
You seem to confine your compliments
to physical ATTRACTIONS, but cannot we
praise plain woman for her mental
gifts or disposition
"Oh, never! never!'' he replied, with a
look of horror. THAT would be fatal.
Never! All, she understands that! She
has been used to that for many bitter
years. No, mol Search out her single
beauty, if she have but one, and cele-
brate that, and it will please her more
than any tribute to her mind or soul"
McArdle stopped, and pulled at his ci-
gar.
The old wretch" exclaimed Louise.
"It was Tom Bassett," observed Nc
Ardle suavely.
"Pshaw!" cried Louise, with toss of
the head and vicious stab at the inno-
cent embroidery, while the two gentle
men were ungallant enough to laugh.
WELL" exclaimed Windward, 81
shall begin my career at once by saying
to you both that Miss Willis is a sweet,
pretty girl"
very well, Mr.. Bassett, 1 shall duly
tell her the first time we meet" said
Louise smiling. But you've forgotten
your particulars. How about the eye
brows or her dimple?'
I've no call to specify. She is 'one
entire chrysolite,'" exclaimed Wind
ward.
Blue eyes for compliments, Louise"
said the colonel, with chuclzle. Hell
do, as old Tom before him."