The morning call., 1893-09-11

lnnocently neglecting to give her own
name. almost all of our friends live in
other streets-some of them a good way
aft"
There was moment of embarrassing
silence, which Mrs. Ulstone broke by say
ing:
81 know your face very WELL though. 1t
is a real motherly face. and myself am a
mother above all things. | dropped in TO
talk to you frankly on subject which only
mothers can understand. You have very
charming daughter"
She's the best girl in the world, Mrs
Ulst0ne."
''Tm sure she is. l know girls well. but
Eve never seen sweeter and better face"
Then you do know girls" came the re-
ply, with extreme emphasis.
II trust she is happily engaged ?"
ITO young man? No, ma'am-not she.
Her father and l think there's no man good
enough for her; and. to tell the truth, she
seems to think so herself. though she's not
a bit conceited."
The answer was not what Mrs Ulstone
had hoped for, but it was necessary to go
farther.
MY dear madam, I beg that you will
hold in strictest confidence what l am
about to say. May | ask whether your
daughter Is acquainted with my son."
mo, indeed! was the reply, in tone
that startled Mrs. Ulstone. though the
tone changed as the neighbOr quickly
added: IF she were / should know it.
There are no secrets between my daughter
and me. particularly about young men,"
How comfUrtlng! murmured Mrs. Ul-
stone, and then she rapidly continued:
ut is my duty to tell you that my sou has
expressed the strongest admiration for
your daughter"
"Oh. Mrs. Ustonev
you can't wonder at 1t, Pm sure, my
dear madam; nor can /, for, as I've
already said, / never saw better or
sweeter face. 1t came about by accident,
of course. My son has often seen your
daughter through the garden fence, and
he would be more than human were he not
strongly impressed by her grace and
beauty. Now. he has seen a great deal of
society, as he has never had anything to
do but make himself agreeable to ladies. l
must admit that he is rather handsome,
and as he will be Iich in the course of
time ne has bad much admiration: but
never until now has he expressed an earn
est preference for any one. OF course, as
he doesn't know your daughter, the situa-
ton is quite novel aud embarrassing to
me, and"
Il should think So" interrupted the
neighbor, who had begun TO look very
thoughtful.
And l thought" continued Mrs. u
stone, that the best thing would be for
me to come over and have an honest, con-
hdentlal talk with yOu-a talk between
mothers, for who can be more deeply in
terested than we?"
you were quite right, ma'am," was
the reply, but should like to ask you II
question or two. You say your sou has
nothing to do but make himself agreeable
to ladies. Isn't he in business?"
Not as yet. He's shown no decided
inclination toward anything, and really he
does not need TO work. Our means are
sufficient to support him handsomely"
Does he belong TO the chuich ?"
"No-that is he has not yet been con-
irmpd."
He drinks. Isupposef Most rich young
men do"
Sometimes he takes glass or two of
wine," Mrs. Ulstone answered. as she red
dened little. Young men in our station
IN lie are sometimes obliged to conform to
habits Of which their parents do not en-
tlrely approve, aud such habits som etime S
unconsclously become strong before their
existence is entirely known. | am very
fond OF my son - he is my only one.
and l."
81 suppose he belongs to lot of clubs,
too?' interrupted the neigh Dor.
He is a member OF four of the most
select" replied Mrs. UstOne, land l wish
he spent less time at them. for doubt it
being proper preparation for the more
serious duties of life"
Il guess. then, it won't be of any use
for him 10 become acquainted with nv
daughter. for she has very strong vie "
about such things"
"You think, then, that the young lady
will not be likely to encourage any atten-
lions my son may chance to offer her?"
Il know it ma'am-Pll stake my life
on it,"
"Then," said Mrs. Ulstone. rising, 81
presume that l needn't say more. except
that I'm greatly obliged for your courtesy"
Don't mention it. ma am" said the LADY
OF the house, accompanying the visitor to
the door. which closed moment later with
so violent slam that Mrs. Ulstone, w no
had reached the sidewalk. stopped and
looked inquiringly up the parlor window,
where she saw a face which showed signs
Of mingled indignation and pity. Mrs.
Ulstone felt her heart boil with rage as she
! hurried away, mufterlng to herself:
II do believe that woman thought came
to propose marriage OF her daughter to
my son-and she thinks she's refused it,
John HabbertOn.