The Irish standard., 1898-09-24
LILlAN'S LOVE AFFAIR

/LlLlAN'S LOVE AFFAIR
A girl fitted about drawing room,
changing the position of Il bowl of roses,
| crossing to the window to glance at the
passers-by In the street. moving away
to distant shelf to reach down Book
which she had not the slightest intention
| of reading, and SO on.
An impatient man stood on the hearth
rug trying to keep his dignity in a critically
| difficult postion-that of the unapprnciated
| suitor.
When Lillian Marshal was cross she was
| not always polite. On this occasion -
had what she mistook for happy thouxnc,
| moved across to the piano, and began to
strum. She paused at length.
| Lillian, wait a minute. pleace; listen to
me. and then very soon I'll CO."
Must we go through 1t all over again?"
| haven't changed my mind, except that
| dislike You more every time you bother
| me-"
And yet 1 am not bad sort of fell
| low
Who doubts it? don't, I'm sure"
| Give me Il chance. Promise me that you
| Will think it over. and If you find in a
years time that you care for somebody
| else. will release YOU"
| Honor bright?'
Honor bright" he assured her. seriously.
Lillian laughed rather uRkndly, and told
him:
1T won't do. You see, l am quite in
different. 1 neither hate you nor like you.
| 1t is not bad sign If one hates a person.
| 1t is sometimes the prelude of love, they
| say She looked at him with a tantaliz-
Ing air Of mock sympathy that made him
feel angry with her, and added: Resides.
| IT l were to accept you 1t would be faute
| de micux, and you wouldn't like that"
| II might; there's no telling"
| And | should be nWfully sorry for YOU,
l don't do things by halves; 1 have an
atrocious temper, and can be horribly dis
| agreeab ble."
Il think 1 know you after all these
| years"
| The compliment was too left-handed for
| her taste. How dare he know her so we'll?
| Then you know that you had better take
this refusal on my last word,' she said,
| sharply.
Certainly, just as you wish; but on one
condition. If you should change your
mind"
II shan't change my mind, it is not my
| way"
"lf by any unforeseen chance you should
| change your mind" he repeated, will you
| give me your word of honor to allow me
| the refusal of your hand? l shall always
| love you, ana will promise on my side to
say nothing to you on tn. subject for
| year."
One whole year. dear me, how very
| nice"
II mean what I have just said," Jim
| Scott observed, controlling his emotions per-
fecty.
| won't you promise?"
| Nothing is eaSie", my dear JIM"
| He WINGED but said in level tones:
Then 1t is a bargain between u.s."
Certainly, l don't mind call it what
you like"
| She hummed the air of song and her nom
| chalance compelled him to think he had
played his worst card and lost You will
excuse me now l am sure" She did not
contradict him, and he departed
| Three months later Lillian was congratu-
| lating herself upon the wisdom of her own
| policy. 1t was hers. not Jim Scotts, and it
| was great success. 1t freed her delight
| fully from his unWelcome attentions. The
freedom was more complete than she had
| expected. She certainly could not have been
| made to admit 1t, but perhaps she was
aware of some slight measure Of regret. He
| was only bore when he talked love- not at
! other times.
| She was dressing to go to dance, and her
| mind busted itself with certain Mr.. Steven
Sinclair, whom she had met often of late
! He had none of Jim's failings and she liked
| him. Furtively she wondered il Jim would
| be there. and her thoughts Travelled on to
her friend. Margaret Mason, naturally
enough, for his allegiance was showing
| signs of transference.
She did not enjoy the dance. Mr. Sin
| clair was very stupid.
| Can you spare me waltz, Miss Mar
| shall?' Scott asked, dffidently She ex:
pected him to ask with determination, as
| though he would take refusal. The
fine shades Of Irritation have their lawful
! code, and Lillian could not be accused Of
| ignorance in regard to them. Moreover she
was cross. Had he not chosen to let time
pass, giving other men the best chances,
and now only come to make his request
after the second dance? She felt like a
l princess nj.
| fense If she elect to take any notice of it,
and said with smile:
II will see"
She took up her program, saw two blanks
near the supper dance, and replied
sweetly:
II am sorry I haven't one to spare:
am afraid | can't give you anything u
Facts and tibs near of kin. and when
! a pretty girl drives them tandem the mere
| man must expect to be run over.
Not even an extra?"
''lf there is a NTH extra, yes can give
| 1t to you.'
And l suppose 1 may have the tenth
extra as wel?" he retorted. for he did not
choose that womanly conceit should pass
| unpublished.
| Certainly, if am still here"
/ '''rhank you he replied suavely.
| Lillian filled up the blanks in her pro-
| gram to the surprise and satisfaction Of
one of her partners who had not expected
| such mark of favor She left early, MAX
| ing an excuse to her hostess which was al
| together unconvincing.
! Nine months later it was July again.
| Lillian lay on couch in The shade of some
trees in her fathers garden. 1t was very
hot, and she felt bored. She had hurt her
| ankle in a bicycle accident. end was COM
| PEELED to take Il complete rest.
| Presently Il servant came, and gave her
| card.
ASK Mr.. Scott to come out here. and
bring the tea she said with alacrty.
She surprised her visitor by remarking:
! You hre really Il good Samaritan
Am L? | am glad you think So"
| Jim Scott asked soicitousy about her
| ankle. and answered a variety of questions
| about herself.
| Then he broached his own purpose in
coming by telling her.
! at is year today since we made our
! bargain
| Indeed. didn't remember"
! lie met this dscouraglng reply by a
| question which was to the point, but not
! adroht.
| Il don't want to bother you but would
you tell me If you have changed Your
| mind?"
| 81 think l know you better nowadays"
| His neglect had taught her the lesson he
most desired 1t to apparently, and he
| pressed her: