Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-10-18
ENVOY.
A MALE FIIRT.

Jack Edison was male hirt There
wasnta girl in Dayton who hadn't re-
ceived attentions from him, and just those
attentions which, when a young lady re-
ceives them from young gentleman, are
generally considered to ''mean something"
But the Dayton girls-or all Of them but
one at least-found out that such atten
tions, when they came from Jack Edison,
instead of meaning something" meant
precisely nothing at all.
Lucy Brown couldn't believe that all
Jacks pretty speeches and fine complis
ments meant nothing. He had walked
with her more than with any other girl in
Dayton, and she had begun to think a
good deal of him. He was so devoted and
kind, and all that sort of thing, that she
had faith in him.
"Better be careful, said Maria Spooner
warningly. ''He's the biggest fiirt in
Christendom He dom t mean half what
he says"
II don't believe all 1 hear about him."
said Lucy stoutly. "He's not flirt.
eyes, he isl" said Maria in tone that
indicated that no arguments would change
her opinion on the subject. "Isn't he al
ways paying attention to every girl that
comes along, Lucy? Isn't he always ready
to make love to new face? You know he
isl
'sNo. I don't know any such thing"
asserted Lucy. "He's genteel and polite,
and If the girls will insist on taking the
attentions which are prompted by polite
ness for attentions of another nature, he
isn't to blame, is he?"
"Fiddlesticks!" exclaimed Maria in dis
gust "Ialk to me about its all being
prompted by Jack Edson's politeness
Humph!" And Miss Spooner gave her nose
an upward turn. thereby expressing her
opinion of Lucys argument, if not adding
very much to her beauty.
When Jack came to London to live, he
kissed Lucy after a very loyerlike fashion,
and made her promise to write often,
which Lucy, putting implicit faith in
him, was quite ready to do
She couldn't help feeling little disap-
pointed to think he hadn't "spoken out. 4"
He had known her a year, but never had
said word about marriage in all that
time, and if he hadn't had the idea of
marriage in his head, what had he been so
devoted and SO loverlike for?
Perhaps he wants to get started in
business before he settles down." thought
Lucy, and that thought comforted her.
Jack hadn't been in London week be-
Miss Grant.
Miss Grant was tolerably good looking
and had rich father.
Jack began to be serious in his atten-
tions at once Those attentions Miss Grant
received cordially.
Business Is business" thought Jack.
"a few thousands won't come amiss to
me, and If | can get good wife and n
snug bank account at the same time
ought to think myself lucky. say, Jack
Edison, old fellow, go in and win"
And Jack Edison did "go in" according
ly, and for month devoted himself wholly
and unreservedly to Miss Grant.
Then fate or accident or some other
means threw him into dilemma by get
ting him acquainted with Belle Graham.
Miss Belle Graham was very pretty
young lady, with bold black eyes and a
mischief making disposition, and as Jack
had not flirted for some time, he proceeded
after his old fashion to lay his heart at
Miss Graham's feet, metaphorically speak,
ing, and for month was her most devot-
ed cavalier.
Miss Graham liked Irritation as we'll
as Jack did, and was In nowise backward
In playing her part
Jack was always looking for and ex-
peoting sincerity in others, and concluded
at once that Miss Graham had found his
fascination irresistible and was ready to
capitulate and surrender whenever he
chose to speak the word.
BY and by Miss Graham went out Of
town on visit, and then he packed up bis
devotions and necessaries Of lovemaking
and returned, like prodigal son, to Miss
Grant.
He had been SO busyl Work had been
unusually driving for the last month. He
couldn't get away from the office. Jack
invented q score Of excuses to account for
his absence, and Miss Grant graciously ao-
cepted them all and reinstated Jack in her
good graoes, and Orchard was himself
again."
In August Miss Grant went out Of town,
and Jack had sorry time Of 1t for want
Of some one to pay attention to. While
she was gone he thought over the matter
seriously.
Here be was, young, good looking and
making nice sum Of money, but in need
of home. The first step toward securing
home was to secure wife. Why didn't
he get married. Sure enough, why didn't
he9
The more he thought Of 1t the more
firmly ha 1nada I'M hia mind m la the