The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-18
MRS. LATON'o TN1A.

wiz, III Aio PuA ~ '"o NO'~A'A-o -
timepiece on the mantel, whose hands
were already past three o'clock.
'Well, Andrew, do you find the clocl
very interestingly
In some confusion the young maj
stammered an excuse, but she went on
''Now, don't deny it, you naughty fel
low. You wanted to know if your visi
had lasted long enough for you to taxi
your departure decently.'
mot at all, aunt. Your guess il
quite wrong, for 1 haven't the slightes
intention of going yet But why Ok
you keep regular sun dial like tha'
in your drawing-room?
perhaps because 1 was born SO long
ago that it is l and not the clock that j:
behind time But. lcome--instead Of
criticising my drawing-room, tell mt
what you are going TO do when yor
leave here"
I'm the first place I am not going to
leave here for some time; but when
have wearied you with my presence
until you cannot stand it any longer
u
toms tea"
Mrs. Laton-Pauline Laton?"
"The same"
'Ah, yes, l used to see her some time
ago. 1 remember her vaguely-a large
woman, dark"
''She is a blonde, aunt"
Indeed? She used to be brunette.
And so you are signing at the feet of
Mrs. Laton?"
eve are all signing at her feet"
"She must enjoy it."
'Well, I rather think she does"
SIS it fun?"
Eyes, after fashion. We are always
the same little circle of friends, and
then, besides Mrs. Laton, there's sis.
ter, a rather good-loolxing girl, and a
girls
"And what do you do besides look at
these women?"
eve take tea, which we moderate
with rum, bit Of lemon; we gossip and
we flirt."
ooh, OH
"But. my dear aunt, one must do
something between five o'clock and
dinner
Evidently, and flirting is what you
have found to do
1T is way to kill time"
81 scarcely know what you mean by
the term. Explain it to me''
ooh, impossible. A definition for the
word has long been sought, but it has
not yet been found. But, given young
woman tete-a-tete with a young man
who is not a fool, and I warrant you it
won't be long before you will have a
practical demonstration. Filtration is
a manner of being discreetly indiscreet.
To know how to f1irt is no common ac-
complishment. It is a veritable sci
ence."
"And is love science, too?"
"No, it is rather an art
"And marriage-what is it?''
ooh. that is philosophy
Indeed? At what age does one at
tain this philosophy"
GAS late as possible"
"It seems to me that at 2S-"
aunt, aunt" cried Andrew, spring.
ing from his chair, Confess that you
are connecting some terrible plot. You
look as guilty as a conspirator.''
Mrs. Harmon smiled fine smile and
enjoyed for moment the consterna-
ton in her victims face. Then she an
swered, after a pause:
Yes, you are right. I wish you to
get married"
I'm heavens name what have I done
to your gasped the young man, with
comic seriousness; and, as the old lady
still smiled, he continued: "See here,
aunt, l should never have suspected
you of such a thing. You, a woman of
intelligence, superior woman, de-
scending to the role of matchmaker!
1t is terrible SCATTERING of my ideals -
Come, come, my poor boy, do not be
so cast down. The girl is charming, /
can assure you.'
"Of course" Andrew burst out. "the
girl is always, charming. Oh, I know
her; l can see her now; she may not be
exactly pretty, but, as you have said,
she is charming. She dresses admira-
bly,, and makes all her own gowns. She
stood at the head of her classes in
school, and attends lectures now. More
over. she has taken cooking lessons and
can put up preserves. She plays the
piano, she sings, she paints, and she has
q tidy fortune in her own right. Bah!
No, a thousand times. no! I do not
want this miracle of perfection. I.
know. a thing or two, aunt, even if 1
don't look it. and if I marry, shall
marry woman who suits me. But
know girls-they are all alike-and
know what they are and what thew are
worth. There isn't one who suits me.
or can suit me, and I shall remain a
And you go to take tea at Mrs.
Laton's," murmured Mrs. Harmon be-
tween her teeth, while a disturbing ex-
preston came into her clear-seeing old
yes.
Under this ironical and even inuuisi-
torial look Andrew lost countenance a
little; he could not deny that to matri-
mony ne preferred flirting with Mrs.
Laton.
He was pulling himself together to re-
ply, or rather to defend himself, when
the street door bell was heard.
"A caller, Ell? Is this your reception
day, aunt. or do you, too, give your
friends tea at five o'clock q
You are impertinent, nephew. At
my age woman does not give five
''clock firtations.' It is not even
caller. am sure it is my little friend
Rosamond, the charming girl spoke
of."