The morning times., 1896-02-09

IT T was Lady Fco's maid who opened the
| door. That is as 1t should be. hate
womanF I'm fond of to keep man-serv-
ant. You never can tell what sort of temper
hiSm mis-. ress isin. This rule doesnotapply 10
bachelors. ! was shown into Lady Feo's
boudoir. As you have heard me say be
fore, | like pink boudoirs; they suit ones
complexion. Sometimes they suit two peo
pies complexion; Sometimes peoples COM
plexion suits them. Anyway, it was pink,
and perfection at that. Fec was lying ON
a snfa, with her golden little head bt-.cd
in swansdown cushion. This meant she
did not intend to stir. She did net. She
held out her little pink-palmed hand, and.
as ! knew by her maids face, / was in
for wigging, / kissed il. 1t had no ef-
feet. ! knew il wouldn't. ] would If
hadn't, though. She pulled her hand
away and said languidly:
''So you have ccme at last?'
Have you been long dressed?" said.
This made her angry. | meant it should.
] always like to fire the first shot.
.'You don't think dress for you, do
your
lone can never tell Yon might be going
to the theater."
I'm sick OF heaters said Fec.
''You get tired OF everything but butter
SCOTCH" said 1.
And even thathas tinfoil, said Fec, with
a sigh that would have buried an empire.
"It keeps the fingers clean,'' l remarked,
as il / thought it a profound truth.
ssIf ,5anor casd Fac saaud ~ Stf,.s-s in
ones teeth.''
i let that pass and tried TO come to con-
clusions by starting new hare.
''What did you send for me for?'
about these theater parties"
THE next one had better be at the Ly-
ceum.''
Il shan't go" said Fec, with a toss Of
her head.
"Why not?' satd.I.
How can il matter 60 your
but it nlattersa great dealto George"
George never goes"
"No. but you do"
Il think you are very rude" said Eco.
II know you do" said l. You're in a
temper
She drew herself up and looked at me
straight.
I'm nothing of the kind
She had got the cornerof her lace handker-
chief between her teeth, so thought 1t best
to say nothing.
"WeiI?" she said.
'Ir you say so, of course. " said /, "of
course 1T is so; but why won't you go TO the
Lyceum?'
Never again" said Eco, $50 you can
think of something else
I'm sorry l didn't go TO your last thcater
party said |, but forgot
This was in a very repentant voice, which
flatter myself, told.
I'm glad that you at least speak the
truth" said Fec.
''Inever lie said Eco.
'Not to Georgc?''
Husbands are different" said I. "I
meant 10 women"
Al think you are the very rudest man"
Except Frank Hobson,' / cut in.
well. perhaps, Capt Hohson."
''And Alderman Murray" said /.
"Ughr' said Fec, with shudder; II
meant among civilized people,
''Then am civilized?'' said T.
The lace handkerchief had begun to tear.
ought TO know hetter.''
Its safer 10 know nothing said I;
''to saying nothing Of potter"
Don't talk atout roliteness," said Fec,
with a Tcut which was delicious.
ST wasn't said 1; 'it was you
'I was talking about rudeness, Mr..
Mansell,' said Eco, frigidly.
Il knoy you were" said 1; you always
are, and / do try so hard"
Try, indeed said Fec. How can you
say such thing when you know it was
entirely your falt?"
bat forgot" said /.
''Don't you keep an engagement back?'
'.Nor'
''why not?"
because never was engaged but once,
and you
II never was engaged to you at least; but
why try SO change the subject?"
"lt was you who changed the subject -
.sI?"
Eyes; was the subject, and you my
queen"
Don't be a foon You know what ]
mean by an engagement book-a diary.
Do you keep one?" said Fec.
Good Lord. no. replied with horror.
"why not?"
"wen. thought it might get me into
trouble
WHO with?"
"YoGr husband. George"
"You are an incorrigible boy: but seri-
ously you must Keep your enga agements.' -
Il like that from you,'-this reproach'
fully.
She took no notice. but passed on.
'Youll get into frightful trouble"
George doesn't suspect, does he?'' said 1.
Fec tookDonotice.
And get other people into terrible both
ers.'' said she.
'Jshalldeny everything.
You can't deny you promised to como. ''
"Well, ] admit forgot
Glow does trat get me out of my troubIe?"
''Your trouble? What troublc?' said
T. t.nnrprnediv.
"But lave promised, Dick"