Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-01-22
A Rash Experiment.
BY EUGENE LEWIS.
SsGeseeSsseseeeseeeseea
"XkT HATS the good fit all? What
WV can von see in me to mike yo,1

/ MA Ii-AL - blIC BoOh VI IL ullA w hdb
wv can you see in me to make you
so certain that you can't live without
me? That's all nonsense, you know"
And the speaker tilted her chair back
wards and surveyed the good-looking
young man opposite her, with curl
osity.
"Don't ask me to analyze my feel
ings," he answered, bending a little for
ward 81 only know that love you,
can't tell you the why or wherefore.
Love is too delicate, too fragile to bear
dissecting."
The girl looked away far above his
head to where the young crescent moon
showed through the dark leaves of the
trees.
81 don't profess to have any heart"
she replied, slowly. "I have never cared
for anyone, nor am I ever likely to be
wildly in love. I like you'll don't at
tempt to deny that-but liking and low
ing are very different, believe. Then
no, don't interrupt mel firt-I can't
help it. Il flirted with you, perhaps I
am flirting with you now-I suppose,
in the eyes of the world, am; but
| I'LL lOO 4Oni Va IL oel1 SNCI " bC "hdI
people call in love. 1t must be a most
firing and depressing process, 1 should
think. AS told you before, have
no heart"
THAT is true enough" he returned n
little bitterly. "Some one said to me
the other day: Miss Vane has heart
like an artichoke; she gives away a
leaf of her affection to anyone, but
keeps the real heart entirely to her
self"
What a rude person." she said, with
a smile. "I daresay II is true enough,
though"
"Now look here" said the man, ris-
ing from his seat and speaking earn
cstly, "if you don't care for me much, at
least you don't care for anyone else, so
why not take me? am content to put
up with lukewarm liking; it is better
than nothing, at all events"
Damaris Vane considered a few min
utes, her fan to her lips.
every WE'LL" she said at last, with
sigh. But you must clearly under
stand that there Is one thing I could
never put up with, and that is jeal-
Gus husband. Now, I am sure you
would be very jealous"
"Try me-" he exclaimed. al swear 1
will never be jealous"
Swearing is no good. I want a
proof"
"Well, let me prove it to you"
THAT is just what want you to do.
Now, listen: 1 am staying on here for a
little over a week. and what I suggest
is, that for that time we shall, both of
us, be at liberty, and shall take advan-
tage of 1t by flirting with the first inter-
esting man I can find. You. of course,
must not interfere, for you will have
no opportunity to do 30. For your part,
you may retaliate by making love to
anybody, or everybody, II you prefer
that; shan't object, can assure you."
VERY WE'LL" he said. despondently,
II suppose must agree to that"
"Cf course you must" she returned,
laughing. "It is most sensible ar
rangcment. This day week meet me
here, about this time, and I will see II
feel inclined to consent to regular
engagement. I think II will be most
amusing"
"Oh, yes, remarkably amusing!" he
assented, in a lugubrious tone.
We'll let us come in now. And,
mind, we are both of us entirely free (;
II should choose to marry another to-
morrow you would have no right to
object. nor should I, II you should-do
you seeY
"Oh, yes, I see. You have convinc-
ing way of putting things, at any rate. "
; Damaris Vane had described her char
; acter pretty accurately, but she con-
; ccaled from everyone, including herself
that she was growing fonder OF Cyril
Hunt than any of the other men who
I had fluttered round her since she came
/ out.
J 1t was the general impression in the
section of society in which she dwell
that Miss Vane waB not only thor
, ough- paced fiirt, but utterly heartlesi
as well. The most affecting and touch
ing love scenes only moved her t.
laughter, and she would take of he,
! various admirers In sentimental atti
1 tudes to her most intimate friends aft
g erwards. That she had a penchant fol
A Cyril, she allowed, but she was mucl
! too proud to own that she loved him. /
+ was quite true that ahe had horror o.
: jealous men, but the ridiculous test tha
e she had set him was but pretext Il
4 gain time, and she acknowledged a
much to herself as she trailed her pench