The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-22

edlu tAdCliJ III THO bdfii0 way III WH}th
he had meant to speak to her, and he
was disgusted. And the words were ac
companied by an expression which, Har-
old thought, would have made the pro-
fessional heart smasher among men
quite green with envy. In his day Har-
old had pIided himself on being some
thing of lady killer himself, but a man
killer was different Harold remem-
bered the scene with Mary and wished
he had not come. To his mind there
was nothing more disagreeable than be-
ing made love to by a woman.
Lefty had extended her hand to assist
Harold up the steps, as she would have
done had ho been any other man, but
when he, as she thought, quite rudely
ignored her protfered assistance her as,
surance left her TO certain extent, and
she was in doubt as to the next best
thing to do. She was extremely anxious
to propitiate the handsome guest, who
evidently felt himself aggrieyed about
something. Lefty would have given
considerable TO know how she had Of
Tended, for her heart was stirred for the
first time. She felt that at last she had
peen a man who was worth the price Of
her freedom.
"Why," she thought, she is r ,oa II,
tall as myself, and he loo ns y ha
might be as strong. .r ne is as nearly
equal IN o'ner re- .srocts, how companion
able he mi. .snt be!'
would have been surprised could
80 have known that his opinion of her
was Tar less flattering. She was used to
being made much of by the opposite
Sex and could count by scores the men
whom, she was sure, would have been
glad to accept the protection which she
could give to one whom she loved.
Il have no good excuse TO offer for
this intrusion" began Harold.
II beg, SIR" interrupted the lady,
"that you will not mention it. assure
you that / feel most honored by your
presence in my home"
A period Of silent awkwardness fol-
lowed, during which each was waiting
for the other to be seated, for in that
day it was considered mark of impo-
likeness for the lady to seat herself while
gentleman remained standing. Har-
old finally recalled portion of his con-
versation with the old woman, who had
used this fact to prove that the existing
state of affairs had begun in his day and
had clinched her argument by remind
ing him that without doubt 'he had
known many men who declined to give
up their seat in railway or street car
when ladies were standing. Harold
settled matters by dropping into the
proffered chair. He had kept his hat
on, remem asring that the old lady had
said that twentieth century men al ways
wore their hats IN the presence of ladies.
He recalled the objections made by
many MN In his day to removing their
hats chen riding IN an elevator with a
lSdy, and he wondered if that, too, could
have been considered.a sign Of approach
ang eifeminacy of men and if il would
have made any difference could they
have seen into the future hundred
years.
Now" he thought. II am ready to
make a call, twentieth century fash
ion" Harold had always prided him.
self on his ability to ADJUST himself TO
circumstances. He made some inconse-
quential remark about the weather,
asked about the latest opera and looked
so self satisfied that Lefty was quite dis
gusted.
Il wonder iRall men in his day were
so assured of their own winsomeness,
she thought
To have pleased her he should have
been charming without appearing to
know that ho was SO. Instead of trying
TO entertain her he should have waited
TO be entertained. Or If he were bent
upon being entertaining he should have
shown his ability TO talk about some-
thing of interest instead of wesrying
her with weak remarks about the wealth
Ell. and the latest opera. The ideal of
the perfect man which Lefty had in
mind was not worked out as TO details,
and it was not easy for her to say in
which of the more common characteris-
tics she would have him different from
the men of her acquaintance. OF one
thing she was sure, however, and that
was that Harold should have blushed or
in some other charming manner have
shown his. appreciation of the fact that
he had overstepped the bounds of con-
ventionality, and that che was better
than most women would be not TO take
advantage of the fact aud be little in
sulting. Lefty believed that pretty
man had no business TO have unattract-
i've manners. What else were men good |
for but to make themselves attractive TO
women2 She concluded that if all the
men Of his day were like Harold Win |
throp she did not wonder that the war
of the revolution between the sexes had |
taken place. She decided to punish him
for his brazen effrontery by treating him |
with no more respect than she would |
have accorded another woman, and thus |
1t happened that she and Harold were
enabled to get on quite comfortably to-
gether. Their talk was mostly of the |
differences which Harold noted in the |
city during the last hundred years, and |
he made himself. very entertaining by |