The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-25
A BIT OF GOSSIP.


Bah nodded, yawned and went into her
room.
In five minutes Sallie followed her and
settled herself cozily in a great armchair
opposite her friend.
"There, now, I've hardly had a glimpse
of you tonight. I'm dead beat, fairly dead
beat Don't mention the word dance
for
ga week?"
"Oh, months, monthsI It has been
lovely success, though. Lady Martin whis-
pered to me when she was going that
was a perfect hostess, and such praise
from
''She has marriageable son"
"Oh, Bah, you mean
ST mean, Sallie dear, that heartily
indorse her ladyship's compliment.
'You are laughing. Well, did my best.
I wanted to please father, and he is
pleased. But, oh, I'm SO tiredP'
"You look washed out" said Bah
frankly.
"W6at horrid expressionI Say inter
estingly pale.
''If I were a man, my dear, might,
but never hatter my own sex.
"Disagreeable creatureP'
Bah lifted the handglass lying on her
knee and scrutinized her own face closely.
'Now 1 look as fresh as did when the
evening commenced. Thank heavenl I
don't show either my physical or bodily
feelings in my face. You'u wear out be-
fore your time Sallie. ="
''Thank you, Bah. 1 think III wear as
well as most people. But perhaps if you
had had my responsibilities on your shoul-
ders and the weight of receiving and look
ing after the comfort of over 800 guests
instead of incoming about the cOnserva-
tory with Major Hardy you would have
looked washed outi''
Bah laughed lazily and nestled her
pretty dark head more coziIy among the
silken cushions.
''You pay the penalty, SAL of being host
ess and heiress. Now, an insignificant
person like myself has nothing to worry
about Yes, nobodies have advantages,
after alr'
"You don t consider yourself a nobody,
SO you needn't say it, Bah And Major
Hardy doesn t think you nobody either"
Did he tell you so2 How cOndescend-
ingl'
SDon't be ridiculous. Haven't I ears
and eyes,
Speaking of ears, did you notice the
earrings Lady Martin was wearing?"
Bah, I'm not going to let you change
the subject in that mean way"
Coral down to her shouldersl never
saw such abominable looking things. I
wouldn't give fig for your country folks,
Salliel''
Lady Martins people came over with
the Conqueror.
81 shouldn't be surprised. Regular Me
thuselahs, judging them by their dress to-
night"
"Her family is as old as fathers"
"Your father looks well bred. Lady
Martin-well, that old stick would try to
patronize the queen. -
Never mind. We are wandering away
from Major Hardy
"How you Major Hardy mel IfIam
THf
to me this morning were, Major Hardy is
coming tonight.
Don't get nasty, Bah. You know that
we-er'-
"What?''
"Ohl thought we-I thought you said
onoe-don't glare at mel thought you
liked him.
81 like whole heap of men,"
"He is a splendid match, Bah. The rec
tory girls would give anything to have
your chance -
"H'ml Why not take him yourselfH
You needn't fly into a passion. I apollo
gize. 1 forgot for an instant that what
would be good match for me would be
most unsuitable for great heiress."
You are so bitter, Bah. Can I help my
position?" said Sallie plaintively.
Il never said you could"
''You danced half a dozen times with
him."
''Oh, you knowI Major Hardy
'sWell?''
''And I saw you go into the conserva-
tory, and 1 thought he would surely say
something"
He said plenty. He was quite garru-
1ous for him He had quite an argument
with your father about some monstrosity
of plant"
"FatherV'
''I was quite in the cold, assure you"
"How stupid of father. I will scOld the
old darling for his blindness. "
''You must do nothing of the kind. His
state of perfect serenity must be left un-
disturbed.
Dear old father He did look happy
tonight. He was SO pleased with me- When
I was talking to you once I saw him
watching me with such proud eyes. "
"Yes?"
81 don't think a girl ever had more
devoted father. He is bound up in me,
and would die without his love"
Lots of girls think that till-their IA
theirs marry again. -
'Brutes We settled long ago that men
were brutes, didn't we, dear? But my IA
ther is a noble exception"
And Major Hardy?"
'Oh, of coursep'
1.-Two exceptions, then What a bright
lookout for womankindI'
Don't sneer, BabI'
II don't remember my father, said
Bah thoughtfulIy. II believe he went in
for horse racing and occasionally ill used
my mother" "
PITY her if you like Sal, but don't
waste your pity on me. am perfectly
contented-and, just not very comfortably
sleepy"
Sleepy Oh, then, 1 had better say
good night''
do, dear Bah yawned drowsily.
Don't expect to see me at a very early
hour. Going? Well, good night Wait an
instant, Sallie. Major Hardy
"Oh, darlingi Then he did"-
ttPrnrnnsnli To me in the cnnse-vatnru To