The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-01

| Bascom's knock, was my old self again
| laughed at the very idea OF Il woman as
life companion.
| During Sunday | had several very inter
esting talks with Mrs Hilman, ard by night
| again | was worse than was the night be
| fore, and began wondering why it wa tina
| some men were so much luckierthan others
| and also whether there was much chance
| Of Mr.. Hilman departing this life and heing
| laid to rest with his fathers. ] knew Of "A
number of pleasant chUrchyards where
| thought Mr.. IIilman might be aCcommo
| dated with quarters definitely and / felt
that | could attend his funeral with much
| pleasure, though, as a rule, abhorred
funerals.
We'll, old man." said Ba scom, a S we took
the ain for town Nor day morning, i hope
you enjoyed yourself"
II never had IA plea santer outing in my
life" answered, with So h sincerity that
he actually blushed, land you have my
thanks in all their amplitude"
I'm glad you liked it, for more reasons
than one and he smiled rather curly.
ION. yes, l know" said, with a lau gh.
~ on think that after my experience Of the
last forty-eight hours my views on the wo-
man question willundergoa radicalchange?'
He nodded, and smiled at my Frofundity
OF observance
'Fessup, now. Marston, he said. haven t
your views changed somewhat by what YOU
have lived in for even so short IA timc?"
well" l replied, picking my way care
fully, II am willing TO say that rs far as
your household is concerned, the prospect
is more pleasing than l thought it could
be"
And would you say the Hiln2n house
hold were any less pleasing than mne?"
This was nudge and Chuck!e that
thought quite uncallcd for in view OF the
facjthatMrS. Hi!nian waSa married woman,
and lad 10 right TO tXT1CsS undue ad-
miratiOn for her or her OusehO!d, and
which made tic b!Cod rush into my face.
'Of course, tEat must be included /
said, trying TO lau Oh offnly embarrassment
And still" continued. I'll at Is only two,
ana there are millions which one wouldn't
care TO praise"
"What are they 10 YOU" he IctOrted
You are not hunting for the millions, but
the one"
apparently fm ret hunting one With
q great degree of success"
But you Should, and now that you have
positive proof that the life is not as black
as it is painted"
ITS very easy for you TO tax con
tended warmly. You have called n
lucky turn and so has Hilman. But you
have exhausted the supply. Now. If LIQUID
get such a woman as Mrs. -" But L
stopped short, for was about TO make Il
discrimination which was hardly compli-
mentary to my host, and didn't want to
do that.
go on" he urged good naturcdly. Il
don't care if you say Mrs. Hilnan. Any
body could see that you bad leaning that
way. Even my wife wasn't at all enyious
of her sister"
VERY wen,'' submitted, SAY Mrs. Hill
man. II could rindsuch woman rs Mrs.
Hilman, | an not all sure that my mind
would not undergo n a Gngc. and that l
could not be persuaded to throw off a few
OF the trammels OF bachelorhood."
Bascom let off a guffaw that not only
startled me- but it shocked me az we'll. for
thought,I had said something should not
have said.
WHAT'S the matter, man." asked, much
alarmed. .-,
That's it," he continued to laugh
whats the matter with Mrs. Himan?"
was much more disturbed than. ever at
this queer inquiry.
What do you mcan?'' asked. taking bin
by the collar. ,,
why, old fellow, If Mrs. Hillman is your
ideal, and you think you could be happy with
that kind of a woman, why don't you avail
yourself of your opportunities, and tn ke Mrs.
Hnman?''
Wild wha-wha- why-why-'' STAN
mered, utterly upset.
"0h, there isn't any Mr.. Himan, if that's
what you are trying to say. II G has been in
the quiet churchyard for 10! these many
years. and Mrs. Hilman has been living with
US the last twelvemonth, and l am positive
that She is heart-whole and fdncy-free, and,
what is more To the point she is just little
bit tired OF living with us. Sec?'
Possibly | saw and possibly didn't.
Whether | did or not, / spent the next
Sunday with Rascom. and incidentally with
Mrs. Bascom and Mrs. Hilman.
The next Sunday spent principally with
Mrs. Hilman.
And the next.
And there are othcrs.-P Philadelphia In
quirer.
Hired SWANS