Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-04-20
A MERE SUGGESTION.
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Phyllis was young and very happy,
and Just little excited, and perhaps
trifle proud, because she was en-
gagged before her friend Maud, who
was at least three years older. But of
course she was very careful not to
give herself airs or to unduly faunt
her happiness in poor Maud's face !;
indeed, she was really anxious that
her friend should be as fortunate as
herself At least as fortunate as was
possible, for naturally there was only
one Arthur in the world, aud he was
to be her own hus sband. But there
were plenty of other men, really quite
nice ones-she must see what she
could do for Maud
They were sitting together; Maud
had come to tea with her friend to
talk about her trousseau and her
presents.
.'Yes, am very happy" said Phyl-
lis, presently; she had been giving
Maud a list of the wedding presents.
"You must be' said Maud. That
tea service is lovely. You are lucky
GIRL" and she sighed little.
Phyllis was reminded of her friends
lonely state. II do wish you were as
happy DEAR" she said "But I be-
lieye you will be very soon," and she
smiled meaningly.
"Why? What makes you say that?"
asked Maud
Now Phyllis had meant nothing def
mite, she only wished to be comfort
ing, and vaguely to suggest. There
was no actual prospective lover in her
mind, but she could not bear to raise
poor Maud's hopes only to destroy
them sl1s next moment, 4so abe smiled
again mysteriously while she ran over
in her thoughts every probable suitor.
81 wish you wouldn't look so know
ing, Phyllis, said Maud, impatiently,
''Who were you - whom did you
mean?"
''Ah, I mustn't say; besides it was
only an idea--a mere suggestion.
Maud looked disappointed, and it
distressed Phyllis kind heart, so she
said, yielding to sudden impulse:
Don't you think George Stratton
seems rather? Don't you think so
dear? 1t struck me so several times.
"Oh, nonsense! I'm sure I've never
noticed anything at least" and she
paused and blushed little, and won
dered if Phyllis had any good reason
for her suggestion.
"Therel Now you know you have
thought sol'' said Phyllis, delighted
to find she had made so good. a guess.
"Don't pretend you were blind, and
he is such nice fellow, nearly as nice
as Arthur"
''But / don't believe he means any
thing; you know what men are" said
Maud; and she sighed as she remem-
bered the fckleness and fightiness of
men, and she looked wistfully at her
friend
81 don't know; he has always been
very friendly, and all that, and perhaps
if had encouraged him"
"Why, of course; every man wants
encouragement ] expect he has been
miserable" said Phyllis. ''And you
do like him?"
Maud put down her cup and ar
ranged the cushions at her back befo o
she answered, and Phyllis felt quite
anxious Tor her reply. 81 suppose 1
like him. she aid at last, with
proper maiden hesitation.
''Then why are you so horrid to
him? | expect you have snubbed him
dreadfully."
Phyllis was full of sympathy for
the young man of whose devotion
for her friend she was now assured.
Maud laughed; she imagined she had
been cruel to Mr.. Stratton.
''Oh, it won't hurt him!" she said
carelessly. 81 can't help laughing at
men when they say silly things, can
you? Even George Stratton.
''Oh, call him George. Tn sure
you think Of him as George" Phyllis
said, gayly. ''And I'm sure you
would be awfully sorry if he went
away and you never saw him again. ;"
81 might get over it," Maud an
swered, with the light indifference of
conqueror
"No you woulln't; you're really
very fond of him. Now, do tell me,
dear, when did you first suspect he
cared for you?"
Maud could not give an exact date
indeed, had she told the truth,
she would have said ten minutes ago.
but then that is what she did not do.
She began to believe she had known
Of Georges attachment for long
while. The feminine Imagination is
such an adaptable thing that it can
evolvea lifelong devotion from the
chance remark of II flieud SO she
answered, caFelessly. 81 hardly know
gradually from different things. Ht