Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-11-06
A MERE SUGGESTION.
BY a. HOOD.

before her friend Maud, who was at
least three years older. But, of course,
she was very careful not to give herself
airs, or 10 unduly tiaunt her happiness
in poor Maud's face; indeed, she was
really anxious that her friend should be-
as fortunate as herself. Atleast as for
tunate as 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.
They were sitting together, Maud had
come to tea with her friend to talk
about her trousseau and the presents.
eyes, I am very happy" said Phyllis,
presently; she had been giving Maud u
list of the wedding presents.
you must bel" said Maud. "That
silver tea service is lovely! You are
lucky GIRL" and she sighed little.
Phyllis was reminded of her friends
lonely state. II do wish you were as
happy, dear" she said. "But believe
you will be very soon," and she smiled
meaningly.
why? What makes you say that 2"
asked 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 sutton.
'Iwish you wouldn't look so knowing,
Phyllis" said Maud, impatiently. "Who
were you-whom did You mean?"
"Ah, mustn't say; besides it was
only an idea-a mere suggestion"
Maud looked disappointed, and it dis
tressed Phyllis kind heart, SO she said,
yielding to sudden impulse: Don't
you think George Stratton seems
rather? Don't you think so, dear !,
1t has struck me so several times"
: "Oh, nonsense, Tn sure I've never no.
ticed anything-at least" and she
paused and blushed little, and Won
dered If Phyllis had any good reason for
her suggestion.
There! Now you know you have
thought sol" said Phyllis, delighted to
find she had made SO good guess.
Don't pretend you were blind, and he is
such nice fellow, nearly as nice as
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 fickleness and flightiness of
men, and she looked wistfully at her
friend.
Phyllis answered the look boldly.
Some men are" said she; ''but not Mr..
Stratton."
Il don't know; he has always been
very friendly, and all that, and perhaps
If l had encouraged him"
"Why, of course; every man wants en-
couragement. l 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 ltquite anxious
for her reply. 81 suppose like him.
she said at last, with proper maiden
hesitation.
"Then why are you so 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, it won't hurt him!" she said,
carelessly. II can't help laughing az
men when they say silly things, can
you? Even George-NIr. Stratton."
ooh. call him George. I'm sure you
think Of him as George" Phyllis said,
gayly. "And I'm sure you would be
awfully sorry if he went away and you
never saw him again!"
II might get over it" Mand 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 Five 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 is such an adaptable
thing that it can evolve a life
long devotion from the chance re-
mark of friend. So she answered
carelessly: 81 hardly know; gradually,
from different things. He was always
Mt the houses went to. ct the Jervis-
Carriers, and-and everywhere"
"You will be kind to him, won't you
Mand? Wouldn't it be delightful if we
were both married on the same day p,
said Phyllis.
ooh, there is plenty of time for that;
besides. he may not care about me now,
though"
You will have yourself to blame it
he doesn't" Phyllis said, severely.
do you really think SO? ldon't want
to be horrid," Maud exclaimed. with
some anxiety.
"You must be very nice to him then.
Let him see you do care for him just a
little. Oh, do want to see you as
happy as am. dear!" cried Phyllis.
"a sensible oman can be just as
happy unmarried" said Maud. who had
dabbled in serious literature.
Nonsense, you know she can't; and
We're not going to discuss those silly
questions, we had much better settle
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