The Irish standard., 1899-03-25
rHEEDLE and 1 had spent the even.
By Edwin Pugh

call in good time" he replied. II
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, If didn't
repose SO much confidence in your good
taste; for, whatever else you may be.
Phil, you are still gentleman"
"a colorado imitation, at least,
hope" said /.
"You know my wife's cousdn?" he
began.
''she has so many"
lawful crowd! But l mean the pref
ty one"
"Little girl with faxen hair?
Rather shade-too conscious of
her profle?"
Eyes. Ha, ha! Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well7"
ut is a pity. My wife told me.
should never have suspected 1t myself.
She's a little bit impressed by you"
'.In love with me2"
Darn your complacency! Isuppose
So"
poor grit" said I.
"She isn't fool, either"
mot bit Of it," cried.
"That makes it all the more extraor-
binary"
II don't see that"
my object in telling you was to
warn you against playing off that in
fernal trick of yours on her.. You
know what I mean? That way you
have of talking to u woman as if she
were the only one of her sex in the
= world.'
"a reprehensible habit. So danger
ous!" said l. II will be careful"
eyes, do be careful, old man.
We were silent awhile. Igotu MUIR
muring again: "Poor grill" babe fare
well to Cheedle and went home. had
not intended to be at the Massie's party
on the following evening, but, know
ing that Miss Marsh would be there
and feeling anxious to begin the cruel
business of disillusionment at once
that it might be the sooner over-I
dressed and went.
The ,drawing-room was very crowded.
looked about for Miss Marsh, and
presently espied her i'll far corner. By
slow stages made my way toward her.
She marked my approach with visit
full face, and when I was close enough
made room for me beside her. Poor
thing! We shook hands. and noted a
tender light in her eyes. My heart
ached with pity.
"How hot it is in here!" said she.
oh, these. hollow commonplaces ut
tered.calmly in gale of passion!
- yes" said I. 81 wonder if we could
get out into the conservatory"
We managed it by dint of many po-
lite hustlings, strewing our path with
apologies as we went. Our end at
tanned, we sat down side by side under
a -tub7palm and looked at one another.
How pleasant it is out here!" she
murmnred.
$50 COOL" said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
1.-THE usual rumor concerning you is
out" said she.
Indeed" cried. 1t was no time to
he witty.
4Nroughtnight."
"Who,is the unlucky lady this time p
SIT would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned"
Poor girl! s.
A'You know that Rumor is lying
jade, Miss Marsh 2"
by nature-yes. But sometimes
by ,aacident-she speaks the truth"
How valiantly women cover up their
scars!
'Of course" said I, "there is no foun-
,dation for the rumor."
81 had hoped there was" said she,
softly.
Brave hearth 1t was a dire business!
"There may ibe, some day." I MUIR
INJURED. II mean that I expect shall
marry sooner or later"
ooh, hope So" said she. "When
you are q little older. Some strong,
helpful woman,with ideals. ota,poor
little society butterfy-like me-
eff she were like you," said 1, and
stopped.
"she won't be-" said Miss Marsh,
quickly.
My heart was tornlof pity Of her.
Zone so seldom marries the person
one wants to-" said Il, breaking the
truth to her gently.
"And how much bettersfor us that is,
iam't it7''
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do you mean, Miss. Marsh?"
Il mean that the object of our first
love is SO rarely the person to make US
really happy"
remembered that this washer third
season. -,
"Firzt love is the only love-" said l.
ooh. no." said she.
"Oh, yea" repeat ted, firmly. Itwas
no time for mawkish Catering. My
duty was plain.
"Mr. Wroughtnight," said she, "be~
lieve what I am about to say. You are
too young yet to know what IS best for
your own welfare"
tt seemed an odd way to talk, as
was at least two years her senior, but
] reflected that she was distraught-
that she was fighting against her own
happiness.
II think" said l, 81 know what Is best
Echoes of St. Patrick's Day.
Brainerd, Mimi, March 2o.-The
beautiful drama of "Among the Break