The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-07-19

diligently. "Only, as say, Pm afraid
Of clever men. Your husband always
seems to be trying to find one out, to
dissect ones moral nature. No, you,
needn't be afraid, Beatrice. 1 shall
not fiirt with George
my poor Stephie, I'm afraid you
won't find any body else to fiirt with. I"
"Oh, really?"
There was world of meaning in
the two words, and Mrs. Merydith's
eyes lighted with curiosity.
"What do you mean, Stephen"
'Nothing-except that the even
ings here are very warm, and that it
is very pleasant to sit in the twilight
with windows open"
"What on earth are you talking
about?"
'I've made conquest, dearl
Nonsense! l mean how is it pos
sible? You say you haven't been any
where, THAT you haven't spoken tc
anybody"
"Oh, but celia n'empeche
sentiments! Wouldn't you -
man who called you his star a.. 8
queen?"
"What do you mean?"
Listen. / had been 4Sre about
three days, when one evening, about
this time, threw the window open
and was standing looking out over the
trees. when suddenly / heard mans
voice speaking very soi.,y. every
thing was so still that ''r!ir't help
hearing"
''Well?"
81 never was made so
beautifully before, Beatty ..:tt
think it was meant for - < first
until l heard him talking about
golden hair shining aureole-l like
round my fair face'-wasn't that
lovely?"
'But who is the man9 What did
you do?"
81 didn't do anything at ali. S9Vas
rather startled, and shut the wa low
very softly; the next night, the .gh,
exactly the same thing happened"
Ibid you tell George?"
Certainly not-men are SO absurd;
and didn't want my Romeo inter-
fered with No. he comes every
evening; he is awfully in love with
me, Beatrice; says that he can't live
without my love, that I must speak
to him, and all that sort of thing. Last
night he got so terribly excited that
he almost shrielsed to me to answer
him. I was quite frightened"
"How consumedly impertinent! OF
course you haven't spoken to the
crea.ure?"
II haven't seen him-except very
dimly. only stand at the window
and smile down at him pityingly."
Mrs. Merydith laughed outright.
"You are too absurd, Stephanie. It's
lucky came back; George must get
rid of this romantic young gentleman
for you."
81 don't want him to be got rid of,
thank you. He interests me-"
"But, Leslie"
my dear Beatrice, Leslie has moth
ing to do with the matter; he is only
my husband-not my keeper. Be-
sides, lam SO sorry for my poor lover;
want to be an aching void IN his
life, as some body says somewhere.
thinl. it must be rather nice"
"Do be serious, Stephanie! The
whole affair is simply ridiculous; but
you must promise me not to go to the
window again"
Mrs. Travers sprang up with merry
ripple of laughter, and softly unlatch-
ed the long window, stepping on to
the small balcony. Her friend fol-
lowed her quickly and tried to draw
her back.
"Hush!" whispered Stephanie, cram
ing her neck forward, and then
from among the darkened trees. still
flushed from the rays of the dying
sunset, rose passionate, thrilling
voice:
"Love you! Could a man see you
and not be your slave? Having seen
you, could he live without your love?
Sweetheart! speak, speak to me,
answer mech, answer"
A woman's laugh rang sharply
through the silence, and Mrs. Merry
dith sank against the open window,
quivering with mirth. Stephanie,
aghast and amazed, stared at her
friend.
Beatrice, what is the matter?
"Your lover-oh, Stephanie!-how
absurd, how ridiculous!" And she
made her way back to the room, still
with merriment.
"My dear child" she continued, re-
covering herself, "your Romeo is re-
the love scene in my hus-
bands new play; he is staying with
us, and that is the grand TRADE! Oh,
Stephie, Stephie, how absurd!'
Mrs. Travers drew herself up little
stiffly, but the comedy of the situa-
ton was too much for her, and
the pauses of the women's
laughter came still the passionate
"Answer-oh, answer me!'