The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-19
HER DAUGHTER.
A Mothers Trials and Dates n /.
Chaperon.

Well. II Is all arranged, and we are
to leave our native country the next
time the Teutopic sails out Of New York
harbor 1 told Claire OF the plans I had
made. and at first was very much afraid
that there would be scene as she looked
Up at me as though I had struck her,
but all she said was "Oh mother" Sinca
that day she has gone about her usual
occupations and taken part nstlcssly IN
the preparations for departure. but
can see her heart Is not In the expected
trip.
Yesterday, at Mrs Hilary's tea, shs
looked so downcast that | was almost
tempted TO give up the whole thing and
let her remain here. where. at least. her
sweet face would not be ciouded and her
spirits depressed. However, the sense
IF my duty to her came 10 the rescue,
and l went bravely on. telling Emily and
the others all about the good umes I
expected to have, though l was never
for an instant blind 10 the vision OF a
girlish figure that sat near at hand, list
lessly tapping her saucer with the little
fancifui spoon, and with the bright eyes
dim with unshed tears
Sometimes l actually feel like a MUIR
deress. and am one In a way, for have 7
not killed for the time being all the light
hearteddess that was one OF Claira's chief
charms? Yet / know II will come back
after q while, for youthful hearts are like
rubber-capable OF great extension with
out breaking-and the day Is sure to
come when my daughter will thank me
for removing her from the banefui infiu-
ence OF this handsome poy erty-strickep
young man.
Jack acts quite as silly as Claire about
MA nd all 10 ~
house and nopes or is in continual
state of moody silence when we gee him
elsewhere. I had no idea he was so hard
hit, and / think II quite as we'll that this
absurd infatuation tfor you can call IL
nothing else in man Of his years. DO
brought to an abrupt termination In the
beginning. SO far as eligibility Is con-
cerned, Jack stands without flaw; but
so long as Ctaire's heart Is not Involved.
I do not mean TO give him any opportunity
to catch that member on the rebound.
leaving me out In the cold altogether.
with the unenviable part TO play Of
mother -in-lays to a one-time admirer. IL
he were fond OF me before her return,
and l think there was no II about IL
, then, he will be so again. once she Is out
of sight and hearing for the friendship
of years Is bound 10 weigh against the
new acquaintance OF few short weeks.
AS "Georgie" is to be one OF the party,
he makes II an excuse for calling at the
most unusual and inopportune times with
more questions to the minute than ever
thought his tiny brain could evolve. With
great nagnaminity he has invited us for
n prolonged stay at his royal relatives
unon our return TO London In the Spring.
We have had, however, the good sense 10
refuse, as these ofs-hand requests ire
auently cause much embarrassment 10
the unwilling host or hostess, VINO are
.. quite ignorant OF any such Arrangement.
The Honorable Teddy likewise has
chosen to spcnd the late winter days In
Southern France, as our particularly se-
we're weather has quite done him up" to
use his OWL expression. That man Is q
perfect mystciy TO me- | can't mike out
whether he Is a superb simpleton or q
deep-dyed knave who knows far more
than he chooses TO show. | incline some-
what to the latter opinion, is Of late he
has been quite attentive to me, so much
so that society has remarked II and have
been thinking quite seriously what sort
Of royal emblem would be suitable to nave
embroidered on my lingerie ana en-
blazoned on my carriage door II ] shouid
forget all about Jack and marry MIN.
Thinking TO sound Jack one day, I
dropped a casual hint regarding this gos-
sin. and received for my pains an un-
gracious growl. the purport OF which was;
1.-THE man is not the fool he looks. he IL
quite alive 10 the advantages to be de-
rived from an alliance with a wealthy
widow, and IL he can't ind anything bet
ter you nav not be surprised TO have
him offer you his untarnisned name ana
empty poc;.et-book. us a way his Kind
have"
Now I think that very mean OF JACK.
He might at least have let me think IL
was my personal attractions rather than
my handbook that lured on my English
wooer; but that is Jacks blunt American
way. No one could ever accuse him OF
being an Anglo maniac, and L am very
glad Of IT. for Il is bad enough when IL
breaks out In one in whom you nave no
especial interest. but when you nave q
sort OF regard for a man, as 1 nave Tor
Jack. you would rather they would bs
quite natural. even IL sometimes a trins
rude.