New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-13

sorncly. and really felt quite sratifcd when
presently observed that Ccrald's animated CON
Nersa,ion with Miss wslshc was beginning, to
nag. and that ne was casting chances OF unmis-
taxable surprise and annoyance in my direction
That sort OF ;hins makes one feel young again
and allowed ny tone TO become distinctly SEN
tmentaL
All. my dear Miss Amy" rnurInured with n
weii-sinTlatcd sigh. I've old bachelors miss a
great dca' in lirc What would no, give to be
once again my ncphcw's age, should know how
to use my opportunities"
But you arcu'; really bit old. and besides
| men never understand a bit until they have
had twenty years experience OF the world
Undoubtedly this remark was intended as a
side shot at my nephew. but that youth gave
no sign Of having heard the remark
Il fear that we never really understand YOU
thoroughly" said l; the study OF your charm
ing sex is like tho study of a book each page of
which requires pages and pages of explanatory
notes"
Have you read much of the book" asked Amy
with a little side glance on, of the corner OF her
gray eyes.
Il never got further than the first chapter" I
replied with n sigh
And what did YOU find 70 prevent vo,, FROM,
getting further?"
Il found that twenty different women might
ossess twenty different sets Of charrnint, quail
ties. all so deliciousy attractive ard so crninently
desirable that. for the life of me. 1 could not
make up my mind to content myself with any one
OF the dear creatures to the exclusion of the rest
and as, unfortunately. the custom of the country
In which we live does not permit man TO be
married to more than one woman at a time 1 am
obliged to remain forlorn old bachelor-I love
too much to love exclusively"
i think you rut that rather nicely" said Amy
reHectiVeiy; but isn't i; only a pretty excuse
for 4 mans Inconsistency? 90
My dear youns lady" said l. laughing. CON
stancy is only another name 70. narrow-minded-
ness suppose. far instance. that 1 had been
married ten years ago: what would have been
my position at the present moment
Il don't quite understand Mr. Stevens"
Miss Creswel is evidently unaware OF her
own attractions" said /; there is a marginal
note Destructive to previous attachments
against your name in ti.e book of which i was
speaking"
You mustn't talk Ionsonse" said my little
rcIShbor dcmurely; but between ourselves
ttncy that she Was not particularly vexod at the
innuendo.
What about men from woman's point of
view she continued presently. Are you men
such paragons that We poor women must be
satisfied with a share of one of you?"
There are not enough to go round" 1 muir
INJURED
suppose, now. that started the theory that
no man possessed more than one or two Of the
many virtues which perfect man should pos
seSs: continued Amy ignoring my Interruption
That just the difficulty said l. we are all
SO sadly unequal To The requirements of the
case. Either We are too young or too old too
tall or too short, too amablc or too exactiny
too ardent or too cold. too ugly or not handsome
enough"
That's the same thing" interrupted Amy
Pardon me; there is a subtle difference"
And You yourself. Mr.. Stecvons?"
Il fear, said l. with regretful glance at NV
pretty companion that in these DAYS most
ladies consider me too old for anything. but a
stopgap'
AND how do you yourself feel on that point 30
Upon my word. when / talk to YOU | almost
begin to feel that you are right and that | AR
not so very old. after all"
rs it pleasant Illusion. Mr. Steevcns?"
1T has its drawbacks"
which are"-said Amy, raising her nrettiIv
arched eyebrows.
My nephew is one Of them just now" said I
glancing at Gerald and in truth the bows ruefrI
countenance did rather take the edge off my an
probation of the situation.
He's horribly cross to night" said Amy and
it serves him right"
Tell me" said | suddenly looking fun at nv
little neighbor. does it give you pleasure 20
make Linz unhappy"
Poor little Amy's lip quivered but she reDlico.
ip h1 h,..r "a