San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-10

Heard in my own drawing room Mr..
Barr's compliments and ardent speeches
moved me to badinage, and | saw no
harm in accepting them as the ordinary
give and take of the would-be lady
killer, more original and therefore more
entertaining than those of u fashionable
airt, but still of the same general char
acter. | affected to he alternately irate
and pleased at what he said. Meanwhile
his eyes looked unutterable things, and
ne interSpersad his batteries with q tissue
of abnormal but poetic fancies. He was
incidentally fascinating, and all the more
so because | felt in his society somewhat
rs if | We're walking through a gun
powder vault with a lighted candle.
But there vas this difference, that in his
case the character of the possible explo-
sion was wrapped in mysterious uncer-
tainty, which added an agreeable ele-
meut of curiosity to my sensations.
Presently ne drew from his breast
pocket a small volume in white vellum
and gold, which he presented to me. 1t
was a copy of his poems, The Paradise
of Passion, and Other Rhythms." |
glanced at the fly leaf, and to my aston
ishment and confusion perceived that
underneath the inscription. Miss Har-
Ian, with the respectful homage of him
who did these verses" was a sonnet "To
Virginia" which began:
The happy rose which lately from thy hands
| took with kisses, dry and withered lies.
| did not attempt to read further at
the moment. Indeed. | felt inclined to
draw myself up austerely at first, but on
second thought acknowledged his pre-
sumption with the same laughing CO.
quetry | had hitherto displayed. After
all, it was not worth while to become
angry. His extravaganza was not to be
taken too seriously. 1t was rather re-
freshing for a change. wondered how
he would behave if he ever really were
in love.
Meanwhile | had e~ndeavored to listen
at the same time to the conversation be-
tween Aunt Helen and Mr.. Spence. |
was relieved to find that he saw fit to
avoid any allusion to his theories, and
pursued the highway of Indifferent sub
jects, such as the weather, the stage and
foreign travel. Still, could tell from
Aunt Helen's superior and, as it seemed
to me, disdainful tone, that she by no
mean approved of my new acquaint-
ances, though | detected her casting an
occasional glance of puzzled curiosity at
Mr.. Barr, whose eccentricities were, |
suppose, more amusing than the calm of
her companion.
Il don't suppose you find the differ
ences very marked between this country
and Europe, Mr.. SPENCE | heard her in
quire after learning that he passed much
of his life abroad.
ION the contrary, very slight"
Nice people are very much the same
everywhere" she observed haughtily.
'To tell the truth" SAID Mr.. Spence,
81 have been rather disappointed at
finding the people, as well as the man
ners and customs, of this country so
similar to those across the water. | had
been led to expect originality and indie
pendeuce. That was what | was taught
to believe as "a child. But after an alb
enc from my country of six years |
came back to find nearly the same man
ners and customs, and the sane virtues
and vices, as | left behindme il Europe"
Vices" echoed Aunt Helen. "Ishould
say there was much less vice in this
country than in Europe"
Not if we judge by the newspapers"
All. but one can't believe all one
reads in the newspapers" she sGid, with
an air of triumph.
Mr.. Spence had, unluCSuly for the i'm
preston he was likely to create, the
courage of his convictions as | well
knew, and as he began to reply | felt less
secure that he would not trench upon
dangerous ground.
There is u general tendency to ape
foreign ideas, which is fast destroying
our originality as a nation" he con-
tinued.
Foreign ideas are often the best"
said my aunt.
I'VE are beginning to talk and dress
and dine and give in marriage, just like
the rest of the world he explained,
without regarding her comment.
Aunt Helen looked a little blank.
Then with her most stately air she said:
"Surely you wouldn't have marriages
performed before a justice of the peace?
1t destroys all their sentiment. | know
u great many persons who wouldn't
consider themselves married so. AS to
living differently, | don't know what you
mean. There are people here who advo-
cate cremation, cooperation, and that
sort of thing, but one doesn't meet them
in society"
II am no judge" said Mr.. Spence
coolly, ''for I never go into society"
'.Indeed!" Aunt Helen surveyed him