Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-05-06
MRS. .LATION'S TEA.

was considering her nephew Andrew,
a good-looking young fellow of twenty
eight, who, for his part, was consider
ing the time-piece on the mantle,
whose hands were already well past
three o'clock
We'll, Andrew. do you find my
clock very Interestingly"
In some confusion the young man
stammered an excuse, but she went on:
Now, don't deny it, you naughty
fellow. You wanted to know if your
visit had lasted long enough for you to
take your departure decently"
mot at all, aunt. Your guess is
quite wrong, for | haven't the slightest
intention of going yet. But why do
you keep a regular sun dial like that
in your drawing -room?'
Perhaps because was born so long
age that is l and not the clock that is
behind time But come-instead Of
criticising my drawing-room, tell me
what you are going to do when you
leave here"
In the first place | am not going to
leave here for some time, but when |
have Wearied you with my presence
until you can not stand it any longer,
it will be time for me to go to Mrs.
LatOns tea"
Mrs. Laton-Pauline Laton?"
THE same"
"Ah, yes, | used to see her some
time ago. | remember her vaguely-a
large woman, dark"
She is a blonde" aunt.
Indeed! She used to be a brunette,
And 50 you are signing at the feet of
Mrs. Laton?''
I'VE are all signing at her feet"
"She must enjoy it."
We'll, I rather think she does"
Yes, after a fashion We are
rs it fun?"
yes, after a fashion We are
always the same little circle of friends,
and then, besides Mrs. Laton, there's
sister, a rather good-looking girl, and
e few other young matrons and bache-
Tor girls"
And what do you do besides look at
these women?"
eve take tea. which we moderate
with rum and bit of lemon; we gossip
and we hirt.'
oh, OH
But, my aunt, we must do some
thing between five o'clock and din
rer"
Evidently; and flirting is what you
have found to do"
1T is way to kill time"
Il scarcely know just what you
meant by the term. Explain it to
me-"
'Oh, impossible A definition for
the word has long been sought, but it
has not yet been found. But, given a
young woman tete-a-tete with a young
man who is not fool, and [ warrant
you it won't be long before you will
have practical demonstration. Fir
tation is a manner of being discreetly
indiscreet. To know how to f1irt is no
mean accomplishment 1t is a veri-
table science"
Anu IS IONe d SCI6UC6J 100.
No; it is rather an art"
And marriage-what is it,"
Oh that is philosophy"
'Indecd-at what age does one at
tain this philosophy"
1T seems to me that at twenty
eight"
Aunt aunt cried Andrew, spring
Ing from his chair, confess that you
are connecting some terrible pI)t
You look as guilty as ccnspirator,"
Mrs. Harmon smiled a fine smile and
erJoyed for a moment the consterla-
tior III her victims face. Then she
answered. after pause:
Yes, you are right. l wish to get
you married"
in heavens name, what lave l
done to YOU? gasped the Young man,
with & mic seriousness; ahd as the old
led. still smiled, he continued. See
here, aunt, l should never have sus-
pected you OF such thing. You, a
woman Of intelligence, a superior
woman descending to the role of
matchmaking! 1t is terrible shat
tering of my ideals"
Come, come, my boy, do not be
50 cast down. The girl is charming. l
Gun assure you"
OF course, Andrew burst out, the
girl is always charming. She dresses adj
milably and makes her own gowns.
She stood at the head Of her classes
in school, and attends lectures now.
Moreover, she has taken cooking les
sons and can put up preserves. She
PLAYS The piano. she sings, she paints
and she has a tidy torture in her own
right. Bah! No, a thousand times, no,
do not want this miracle Of perfrc-
ton l know q thing or two, aunt,
even II | don't look it, and if I marry,
I shall marry a woman who suits ME.
But know girls they are all like,
and l know what they are and what
they are worth. There isn't one who
suits me, or can suit me, and I shall
remain a bachelor"
And you go to take tea at Mrs
Iaton's" murmured Mrs. Harmon be-
tween her teeth, while a disturbing
expression came into her Clear-secing
eyes.
Unier the fronical hand even inquisi
tOrial lock Andrew lost cCuntenance {
little; he could not deny that to 1aatri.