Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-23
MRS. LATON'S TEA.


chair smile lighting up her fine old face,
that her white hair framed with crown
of snow, Mrs. Harmon was considering
her nephew Andrew, a good looking young
fellow of 20, who, for his part, was consid-
ering the timepiece on the mantel, whose
hands were already we'll past o'clock.
"Well, Andrew, do you find my clock
very interesting?"
In some confusion the young man stari-
mered an excuse, but she went on Now,
don't deny it, you naughty fellow! You
wanted to know if your visit had lasted
long enough for you to take your depart
uro decently"
'Not at all, aunt Your guess is quite
wrong, for haven't the slightest inten-
ton of going yet. But why do you keep
regular sundial like that in your drawing
room?"
''Perhaps because l was born SO long
ago that it is T, and not the clock, that is
behind time. But come! Instead of criti-
cising my drawing room, tell me what
you are going to do when you leave here"
Tin the first place, am not going to
leave here for some time, but when have
wearied you with my presence until you
cannot stand it any longer it will be time
for me to go to Mrs. Laton's tea F."
SMrs Laton-Pauline I4aton?''
"The same"
"Ah, yes! used to see her some time
ago. l remember her vaguely-a large
woman, dark
'She is blond, aunt.
"Indeed? She used to be brunette.
And so you are signing at the feet of Mrs.
Laton?'
"We are all signing at her feet"
"She must enjoy it?''
M "Well, rather think she does"
els it fun?'
eyes, after a fashion. We are always
sne same little circle of friends, and then,
s5csides Mrs. Laton, there's sister, a rath-
VI, good looking girl, and a few other young
5flatrons and bachelor girls. u
"And what do you do besides look at
these women?'
'sWe take tea, which we moderate with
Y nj and bit Of lemon. We gossip, and we
Il rt."
"Oh, oh!'
"But, my dear aunt, one must do some
thing between o'clock and dinner"
Evidently. And flirting is what you
have found to-do."
sit is a way to kill time"
II scarcely know just what you NEAR
by the term. Explain it to me-"
ooh, impossible A definition for thu
word has long been sought, but it has mo-
yet been found. But given a young WON
an tete-a-tete with a young man who i
not fool, and warrant you it won't b
long before you will have u practical dem
onstration Filtration is a manner of be
ing discreetly indiscreet. 70 know how t.
flirt is no common accomplishment 1t !
a veritable science"
"And is love science too?"
"No. 1t is rather an art"
"And marriage-what is its"
ooh, that is philosophy
"IndeedY At what age does one attail
this philosophy"
GAS late as possible.
''It seems to me that at 49,
"Aunt, aunt, = cried Andrew, springin!
from his chair, CONFESS that you are con
cocting some terrible plot. You look
guilty as conspirator.
Mrs Harmon smiled fine smile an
| enjoyed for a moment the consternatio
| in her victim face Then she answered
| after a pause:
Eyes, you are right wish to get yo
married.
"In heavens name, what have / done t
your gasped the young man, with conf
seriousness, and, as the old lady still smileo
he continued: See here, aunt, Shout
never have suspected you of such thing
You, a woman Of intelligence, q superic
woman, descending to the role Of mattel
| ic fo,.,,i h In hat of N
ideals"
l Come, come, my poor boy, do not be f
cast down. The girl Is charming, I assul
you.'
"Of course" Andrew burst out, "tl
girl is always charming. Oh, l know he
can see her now. She may not be exac
ly pretty; but, as you have said, she
charming. She dresses admirably an
makes all her own gowns. She stood
the head of her classes in school and a
tends lectures now. Moreover, she HI
taken cooking lessons and can put up pr
serves. She plays the piano, she sings, 81
paints, and she has tidy fortune in h
own right. BAIL No, a thousand tim
!; no! do not want this miracle of perfe
: ton. know thing or two, aunt, eve
. If 1 don't look it. And If I marry, sha
! marry O woman who SUITS me simply
. the sole and unique reason that she do
: suit me. But know girls. They are Q
nike and know what they are and VIII
: they are worth. There isn't one who sui
me or can suit me, and shall remain
bachelor"
sAnd you go to take tea at Mrs. L
Z ton's.n murmured Mrs. Harmon betwet
Q her teeth. while a disturbing expressit