The Portland daily press., 1892-12-22

ltt6d VI rCCICdUlOll 10 " pAeA- -
lot of men and dress like an aborigine.
SO told him if he could persuade Miss
Brown to be my chaperon she and l
would cut a swath. Of course she
couldn't leave her sister and the chill
dren, but whirled her off before she had
time to resign herself to stay at home.
'sWnen we left we were absolutely
lifeless-she with overwork, with en-
nui. We went south to the gulf. We
were quite too Mstless to think. If some
one would plan out a day, even an hour,
for us, we were happy. One of us would
say to the other:
'stWhat are you going to dor
"sI haven't decided. What will you
do?'
"sI haven't made up my mind
81 believe I'll walk on the pier and
wait for an idea
'ssOh, then, so will L.
'.There were men. about too. One
perhaps forty years old-took a fancy to
me. They teased me about him, and |
hadn't even ambition to retaliate-Just
let them tease. AT first had a mild in
tention of transferring him to Miss
Brown they would have made a nice
match), but it proved too much trouble.
He would do anything for me and moth
ing for her, and we needed some man to
devise amusement and do the talking
for us. He tried to make us promise to
return some time, although we hadn't
spoken of going. He persisted in trying
to make us promise, and we were too
inert to oppose him. So one day when
he was out in boat we stepped on board
a steamboat and went up to North Car
DINA.
Beautiful country! Oh, the flowers
on the North Carolina hills! began to
appreciate the scenery, and Miss Brown
became SD sprightly she alarmed me. |
told her if she couldn't help growing
Younger SO fast should have to send
home for an older chaperon. Then we
drifted about to other places parking
Springs last and longest. We staid at
a private hotel-fne old southern house
in perfect preservation-magnolias and
cape jasmine and pickaninnies. While
/ think of it let me warn you it you ever
90 south be careful. You will think
every man you meet is in love with you
they are all so devoted.
ssThere was one man at our hotel.
When say man mean one who takes
your breath away. There were plenty
of apologies for men and several women
worth looking at. There was young
widow with pensive air and roper
tory of touching illusions to her dear
husband, which were very fetching.
She had more men about her than any
woman in the house; in fact, she could
command all of them except the one l
spoke of.
ssWhen I arrived he was dancing q
good natured attendance on young ma
tron unhappily married and exceedingly
pretty, infantile type, theatrical tend
ency to pose. She had wrapped her.
self about him like vine and gave him
daily bulletins of her troubles. just
think of it! How can a woman? And
what did that man do but come and re-
peat all her condolences to me!
g DO not tell me- would beg. I do
not care to hear her private affairs
Sc Neither do H. he would laugh. 4
think you might share the burden Of
woe which she thrusts upon me-.
'sAfter I came perhaps he neglected
her or broke some of the tendrils she had
fastened upon him. 1t was only natural
that he should show me about a little,
all the other men being occupied with
the widow. He was merely trying to
keep me from stagnation, I'm sure. It
was absurd for her to grow jealous, but
she did, and she married womanl Visi-
bly, Jealous! Perfectly preposterous, es-
pecially when there was nothing between
us. Were only amusing each other;
only passing away the time-the days
were SO long and delightful"
AS she spoke she kept nervously twist
ing a ring which I had never before no
ticed on her hand.
when did you get that?" I asked.
ooh, he gave it to me-" smiling.
$50 you are engaged. Please tell me
what he is ike2"
"You shall see for yourself. He said he
would come on this winter"
'sThen there will be another wedding
at Rose HIP
ssWhat do you mean~ with arching
brows and surprised eyes. 81 do not ex-
pect him-he said so; that was ALL
'sYou mean that you do not care for
him to Gomez
To this she would make no reply, only
looked at me in hooking way, and I
rose to go. We climbed the hill arm in
arm, and jumped into the cart and was
about to touch the pony with the whip
when she leaned over, placed her hand
on the back of the seat and whispered:
Gall that talk about Father Time is
mistake. They ought to say Mother
Time. I always knew Time was wom-
an because-time-w ill-tell."
She picked up. her skirts with one
hand, threw me kiss with the other
and ran into the house. My eyes and
thoughts followed her until tug at the
reins appraised me that pony had started
for home on his own accord, delicately