The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-11-05
A MERE SUGGESTION.
Bv a. HOOD

sirs, or 70 unduly flaunt her happiness
In poor Maud's face; indeed, she was
really anxious that her friend should be
~ fortunate as herself. At least a. for
tunats a. was possible, for naturally
there was only one Arthur in the world,
and he was TO be her own husband. But
there were plenty Of other men, really
quite nice ones she must see what she
could do for Maud. ss
They were sitting together. Maud had
come TO tee with her friend to talk
about her trousseau and the presents.
"Yes, I am very happy" |" said Phyllis,
presently; she had been giving Maud
list Of the wedding presents.
"You must bel" said Maud. "That
silver tee service 10 lovelyi You are
lucky GIRL" and she sighed little.
Phyllis was reminded Of her friends
lonely state. II do wish you were a.
happy, DEAR" she said. "But believe
you will be very soon," and she smiled
meaningly.
"whyP What makes you say that3''
asleed Maud.
Now Phyllis had meant nothing def
mite. she only wished to be comforting,
and vaguely to suggest. There was no
actual prospective lover in her mind;
but she could not bear to raise poor
Maud's hopes only to destroy them the
next moment; so she smiled again mys-
teriously while she ran over in her
thoughts every probable suitor.
II wish you wouldn't look so knowing,
Phyllis" said Maud. impatiently. "Who
were you-whom did you mean?"
"Ah, I mustn't say; besides It was
only an idea-a mere suggestion"
Maud looked disappointed, and It dis
treesed Phyllis kind heart, 30 she said.
yielding to q sudden impulse: Don't
you think George Stratton seems
rather? Don't you think so, dear?
It has struck me SO several times.y
"Oh, nonsense, I'm sure I've never no.
ticed anything-at least" and she
paused and blushed l'ttle, and won
dered II Phyllis had any good reason for
her suggestion.
There! Now you know you have
thought sol" said Phyllis, delighted to
find she had made 80 good Q guess.
Don't pretend you were blind. and he is
such nice fellow, nearly as nice az
Arthur"
"But I don't believe he means any
thing; you know what men are" said
Maud; and she sighed as she remem-
bered the hckleness and fiightiness Of
men, and she looked wistfully at her
friend.
Phyllis answered the look boldly.
"Some men are" said she; 'but not Mr..
Stratton."
II don't know; he has always been
very friendly, and all that, and perhaps
II I had encouraged him"
"Why, Of course; every man wants en-.
couragement. expect he has been
miserable" said Phyllis. "And you do
like him?"
Maud put down her cup, and arranged
the cushions at her back before she
answered, and Phyllis felt quite anxious
for her reply. II suppose like him"
she said at last, with proper maiden
hesitation.
"Then why are you 20 horrid to him
expect you've snubbed him dread
fully"
/ Phyllis was full Of sympathy for the
young man Of whose devotion for her
friend she was now assured. Maud
laughed; she imagined she had been
cruel to Mr.. Stratton.
"Oh. 1t won't hurt him!" she said,
carelessly. II can't help laughing at
men when they say silly things. can
you? Even George-Mr. Stratton."
"Oh. call him George. I'm sure you
think Of him as George" Phyllis said,
gayly. Sand I'm sure you would be
awfully sorry If he went away and you
never sew him againi"
Il might get over it," Maud answered.
with the light indifference of . con-
,queror.
mo, you wouldn't; you're really very
fond Of him. Now do tell me, dear,
when did you first suspect he cared for
your"
Maud could not give an exact date;
indeed. had she told the truth she would
have said "avc months ago;" but then
that is what she did not do She began
to believe she had known Of Georges
attachment for long while. The femi-
nine imagination II such an adaptable
thing that II can evolve life
long devotion from the chance re-
mark Of . friend. So she answered
carelessly: II hardly know; gradually,
from different things. He was always
at the houses went 70. at the Jervis-
Carters. and-and everywhere"
"You will be kind to him. won't you
Aand? Wouldn't II be delightful II Nc
we're both married ON the Same dsyf''
said Phyllis.
~0h. there L plenty q ttns for thell
besides, he may not eass sAsut NJ eaew,
thouRhr