Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-01-04
HE KISSED HER.

AuO" ii StOIy, Sttlu Lily Ilcilu,
(which proves a considerable number of
great truths. "
For instance?"
"Well, it proves that circumstances
alter cases. and that women are unrea-
sonable beings, and that everything de-
pends uIon the point of view
"Anything else?'
sit also proves that long engagements
are mistake and that there are some
trifes about which man does better to
deceive his wife. -
cit must certainly be your own story
if it proves all that you say" 1 said
"Why don't you write it out-make u
book of it, for example, and call it 'Ev
cry Man His Own Don Juan?'"
But my friend protested.
cit wasn't quite so bad as that" he
said. "Pll tell you about it if you like
and you can judge"
So l agreed to listen, and he told mo-
"Ours was long engagement, but at
last we ended it. -
'You broke it off?''
"No, no. we married. 1t is not an un-
t'ssi bCiICNSy anu Oll llo
whole it has turned out very well. 1
don't complain. Only there have been
awkward moments. l suppose there
nearly always are. Moments, for in
stance, when my wife has asked me if 1
have ever loved before.
'There is a stereotyped answer to that
question, my friend" interposed.
ssT know T mead t,n n1iol,n T x,oc
even prepared if necessary to have tho
cliche printed and framed and glazed
and hung up in the bedroom. But the
matter did not end there Pauline was
always fishing for confessions. Had
always been faithful to her during that
long engagement in thought as well as
act? Ii not, must tell her-I must con-
fess. She was sure there hadn't been
anything serious, and she would forgive
me. mustn't think that she wanted to
live in FOOLS paradise,
'And do you mean TO tell me that
you are actually capable of believing a
woman when she says that she doesn't
want to live in FOOLS paradise?"
"Not now, not now. should always
use tho cliches now. But was bolder
then, -
More rash, yon mean
More rash, then, if you prefer the
word. You see, tho truth was so very
unimportant, and she might be imagin-
ing something so very serious. So l
thought that if told her it would clear
the clouds away"
sfVo,1 1jIr II ,,,,1orc+o,,I tbot xuo,,,o,,
are happier in wondering what is behind
the clouds than in discovering definite
spots upon the SUM-"
"Not then. Besides it was rather a
funny story in It's way, and relied on
Pauline's sense Of humor. She had often
told me that she had moro sense of hu-
NOR than the average woman"
"Every woman" | insisted, "is an
average woman i'll her appreciation of
certain kind of funny story. But what
was the exact story that you had to
tell?'
And he told rne all about it, quoting,
SO far as lis Memory served him, the
exact words i'll which he had told it to
his wife.
IL 10 'IOtil.hS5 ~ We tClllDlc, tu-
line, | said. Such trifie that, till
you questioned me, had forgotten all
about it.
But you ,nust tell me, she urged.
Oh, yes, you must tell me or | shall be
afraid that it is something dreadfulp
"'Ah! Well then, III that case l must
confess, Isaid. 1t was long time ago,
xyr,p,, p,,1 that
you know, when l was travelling in
Switzerland. l was staying for few
days at the little hotel that stands be-
side the falls of Tosa, in the Val Far
mazza. There was a girl there-a beau
tiful girl like you, dear, only in differ
ent way-a sweet, helpless, clinging lit
tie thing, with a complexion like a
peach i'll bloom, and the very loveliest
auburn hair.
pauline interrupted.
"'You mean red hair I hate it
think it very uglyn she exclaimed.
"My friend, that jarring note ought
to have warned you," remarked.
II know. 1t frightened me, and I
tried to stop, but Pauline would not let
mo-.
And he resumed his narrative.
"'I hate red hair too as n general
rule, because your hair is black, told
her. But it pleased me then. You see,
was travelling quite by myself, and
was feeling lonely and was glad to find
some one whom could talk to. So 1
broke the ice at dinner, and afterward
the girl and l always chatted with each
other when we met.
"'You quite forgot to tell her that
you We're engaged to me, l suppose?
Pauline inquired.
81 had Of course. That was the whole
point of the story. and it was inartistic
Of Pauline to pretend to be surprised. l
did not reproach her for that, however,
bat continued.
"'No, dearest. If l had told her,
there would have been no confession for
you to wiring from me now If had told
her, she would never have walked out