The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-02-24
MRS. LATON'S TEA.

EnscOnced in the depths of her big
arm chair, smile lighting up her fine
old face, that her white hair framed
with crown of snow, Mrs. Harmon
was considering her nephew Andrew, d
good looking young fellow of twenty.
eight, who, for his part, was consider
ing the timepiece on the mautel, whose
hands were already past three o'clock.
"Well, Andrew, do you find my
clock very interesting?"
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 youI
visit had lasted long enough for you to
take your departure decenlly."
"Not at all, aunt. Your guess is
quite wrong, for / haven't the slightest
intention of going yet. But why dc
you keep q regular sun dial in your
drawing room?n
"Perhaps because was born so long
ago that il is / and not the clock that is
behind time. But come instead OF
critieising my drawing room, tell me
what you are going to do when you
leave here?n
"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. La
tons tea"
"Mrs. Laton's-Pauline Laton?'
"The same"
"Ah, yes, / used 10 see her some time
ago. / remember her vaguely-a large
woman, dark"
''She is a blonde, aunt"
"Indecd? She used TO be brunette.
And so you are signing at the feet of
Mrs. Laton?"
1--WE are all signing at her feet"
"She must enjoy il"
"Well, rather think she does.''
SIS it fun?"
'Yes, after a fashion. We are always
the same little circle of friends. and
then, besides Mrs. Laton, there's a sis
ter, a rather good looking girl, and a
few other young matrons and bachelor
girls"
"And what do you do besides look at
these women"
ave take tea, which We moderate
with rum and a bit of lemon, we gos-
sip, and we flirt."
"Oh, ohw
''But my dear aunt, one must do
something between five o'clock and
dinner"
"Evideutly; and flirting is what you
have found 10 do"
at is way to kill time"
al scarcely know just what you mean
by the term. Explain it to me-"
"Oh, impossible. A definition for
the word has long been sought, but il
has not yet been found. But give a
young woman tete-a-tete with young
man who is not fool, and | warrant
you it won't be long before you will
have a practical demonstration. Fir
tation is a manner of being discreetly
indiscreet. To know how TO fiirt is no
common accomplishment. 1t is ver-
liable science"
"And is love a science, too?"
"No, it is rather an art"
"And marriage-whati is it?'
''Oh, that is philosophy.
"Indeed?-at what age does one at
tain this philosophy"
Gas late as possible"
at seems to me that at twenty
eight"
"Aunt, aunt" cried Andrew, spring
ing from his chair, "confess that you
are eoncocting some terrible plot. You
look as guilty as conspirator.
Mrs. Harmon smiled fine smile and
enjoyed fora moment the consterna-
ton in her victims face. Then she
answered, after a pause:
"Yes, you are right. / wish to get
you married"
ain heavens name, what have l
done TO your gasped the young man,
with seriousness; and as the old lady
still smiled, he continued:
"See here, aunt, ! should never have
suspected you of such a thing. You
a woman of intelligence, a superior
woman, descending to the role of match
maker, 1t is terrible shattering OF
my idealr'
'sComc, come, my poor boy, do not
be so cast down. The girl is charming,
/ assure you"
"Of course" Andrew burst out, "the
girl is always charming. Oh, l know
her, can .es 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 class 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
a tidy fortune In her own right. Bah
No, a thousand times no. do not want
this miracle of perfection. l know a
thing or two, aunt, even if 1 don't look
il, and if l marry. | shall marry a
woman who suits ME, simply for the
sole and unique reason that she does
suit me. But know girls-they are
all alike, and / know what they are
and what they are worth. There isn't
one who suits me, or can suit me, and
/ shall remain bachelor"
"And you go to take tea at Mrs. La.
ton's,r murmured Mrs. Harmon be
tween her teeth, while disturbing ex-
preston care into her clear-seeing cid
eyes.
Under this ironical aud even inquisi.
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