The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-29

We were having the loveliest conVersa-
| ton. May and /. You see, we were al
lunch downtown in enc of those dear Ht-
lie half-partitioned-o hooks that are so
| deceptive In regard 10 the partition. "
| found that out later, however
do you know" asked May, helping
| herself 70 chicken salad. that Sue has
broken off her engagement with Guy!'
Nor l exclaimed. Summit or IN
J sanity! Why. he's worth a million II
he's worth cent"
"Fm " said MAY, "and she declares she
will marry that obscure little Smith.
There was a fearful affair at her house
when she announced her intentions. She
saws now that she never loved Guy bit.
but her folks drove her into 1t because he
worshiped her so and was so wealthy. she
hadn't the heart TO let him know she had
never cared for him, even when she broke
Il off. Poor feellow!"
"He might be worth looking after now.
1 remarked. mercenarily.
YES" May said. .neditatlvely. adjust
irg her wraps" that's fact.
Then we went out. AS we did so a
man rose and emerged from the next nook
with rather unsteady steps. AS he rushed
by we saw it was Guy, only the face wa5
white ard wild instead Of handsome and
smiling. After the first sickening chill
wore over May and looked at each other
in a species OF dumb misery. We even
forgot the foolish remarks about MIN we
ourselves had made when We recalled the
tragedy of those moments TO the hereto
fore unsuspecting man.
Lets go home" May finally whis-
pered. II don't care about silks to-day"
And we went.
One of the girls I know had most
exasperating experience few days ago.
They have been having bad times with
the plumbing at their house, and during
the recent cold weather the pipes have
burst twice. Naturally the household Is
on the alert for any indications of new
snap OF the lead pipes. as plumbers bills
are too expensive designations for the
average resident. The other evening she
had company-a very nice young man,
who also thinks she is very nice-under-
stand? There was dim light In the par
lor where they were. and the fire burned
bright, and outside the wind howled dis
mally--just such night as makes a man
think OF the comforts Of home and all
that. Anyhow, he preached the subject
TO her, and after she had finally said yes
he started to kiss her according 10 an
cient custom inaugurated by the first gen.
Grafton of lovers. Whether he was ner-
vous over the first kiss, or choked, or
what, he gave her a most resoulding sa-
Lutte, with the result that her father.
calmly reading in the library. tore into
the room with the exclamation:
Did you hear that pipe burst? Where
was it?"
Wasn't It awful? And he wouldn't
rest easy until they explained things
and he had given his consent In his furry.
But imagine having to announce your
engagement before you scarcely knew 1t
yourself. Some krls are so unfortu-
nate.
Have you noticed that the latest dresses
clear the ground by an inch? 1t Is a
sight to make one rub ones eyes, but II Is
so. And rumor from across the water
says street dresses will be shorter yet.
Is II possible to imagine these slim. ele-
giant, languid girls of the trailing skirts
and grand duchess airs briskly tripping
down State street In a full short skirt
like the peasants of a fancy dress bal?
II will be dreadful. for girls will have to
change their styles completely. No one
can be dignifed In q short skirt. The
girls with pretty feet and ankles will be
delighted, but what will the vast multi
tude OF big-footed. hat-footed. twisted
foted girls do about IL? II Is an imposi-
ton on them. and they will resent II vigor-
ously. Think Of some girl you know who
IL statuesQue. large end handsome. and