The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-16

lisve VIII tel you that story an 10 your
self alone. % has one strongly marked
peculiarly about &c. too
And what IS that Clarcnce?'
Its the only story I have ever tod
you-or over wii-.n which myself figure
as the hcro-the leading young mantle
lover in fact"
Good" said. "Then hurry up and
get through with it before Holman or
any Of the others Gene dropping In.
Did / say I figured as the lover
clarence broke out after fcw min
utes silent thought. well, come 20
think Of 81, that isn't strictly true. or
i east. II was only figuring as 10 reahy
being. ] was perfectly sincere you
know But. my boy. when man gets
10 my age. one OF the things he learns
CLEANS out Of his eXperience-is that
man may easily fancy himself in love
when he isn't.
Il certainly thought myself in love
with that girl. 1 took IL 20 be case
Of love at first sight. in which I had
not believed until then and have not
believed since. / met her quite by acci-
dent. calling on a mutual acquaintance
ono afternoon. That night | went 20
bed under the impression that had al
last fallen a victim 10 the malady which
] had so often studied m others. / don
know whether was sorry for myself, or
proud az myself. or both.
"Anvhow t seemed 81 first that was
going 90 he q happy lover for tho young
woman was frankly glad To see me az
her own home. i ought To have known
better than % interpret that as sign
that my feeling was rcciprocaied. hut j
didn't ] actually thought that she was
a. love with me.
Things were pr0Erc sing beautifully
20 th0ught-f0r the next three months.
used 90 take that rirl everywhere in
sact. our association was chiefly IN going
somewhere. We very seldom sat ont am
evening together al her home. and when
W did sne was always playing over
Bcrar. of music we had heard together.
zone evening crizz'y-hcaded old vet
rran pokcd his head into the room while
she was playing and she Immediately
stopped and called out, Come ln, father
- want YOU.
"Then she introduced me 20 her father.
"WeI. I was very pleased Ia meet the
old gentleman. ] thought it was just as
well for ms To become acquainted carly
In the game.
"I ana very pleased indeed % meet
you. Mr. Clarence De said, very pleased
indeed Sorry / haven't happened Oh be-
g. when Won were here before. I've heard
81 good deal OF YOU from mutual acquin-
iaucof The Browns. You know the
Browns?
YES. { knew the Browns. But I
really didn't want this old person 20
so himself down in that thorouehly-at-
home way ana set 10 work talking tO me.
That's what he did, She went on playing
and the old villain went ON talking about
half the people J knew and about half
my ifo too Tie seemed 70 know all about
me The end of 10 was that he asked me
To- dine with him az his club. Then bee
wound up. 'Now. don't Jet me drive you
away. Mr. Clarence. You haven't got 20
get up as early n the morning as ] have.
dare say. I must say good night Hope
o. sec you again soon.
Vow. you know. that was am very
cordial and civil. But. somehow. Z didn't
Ike the old fellows way. ! don't know
fusf why. But he seemed 20 treat me
Just as 10 I were new crony Doe had
picked up AZ bis club. ] didn't want MIN
- regard me as a man of his own staad'
log
"Sho-supposc We cali her lydia
teemed really very pleased that her father
and got on So well together f wanted
sou 30 much 90 see him she said. no
have introduced you Will bee quite ieath-
e. In my cap.
~ veutured 10 say. I hopo that wasn't
I'll thar made you-lke me. 10 was the
most lovcfiISe uttcrance 1 had been guilty
If mp 90 that point
on no. indeed Mr.. Clarence. she
tad. But there are redsons-special
reasons that J may ten you OF some day
why + should want TO stand parucu-
iarly well with father just now. 1ouh
know 90 time.
And NoI expect no 10 he a pdrticu-
larry pleasing sacriGceT I said.
Yes. sho laughed. YOU see. father
goes 90 his club regularly. but stiii I
don't think, he gets enough OF the So
.iety a. men Of his own ago. Most Of
the clubmen are young bachelors. with
nothing in particular in their heads.
Now You are just the sort OF man he de-
lights IN. You can talk to him about
all sorts Of things. lie always says he
wishes he could hays spent half his lie
travelling
"An this was very hatterlns indeed
.rd Vet The flavor OF II did not seem 10
suit my taste.
Il ala dino with that Old codger. and
very good dinner he gave me. al ms
club. tetc-a-tote. Then J felt IL right TO
Give him dinner. But ! can't say
onioyed any Of these FESTIVITIES very
much.
and I got ready to put In powerful
,iroke for myself with my present-my
wing.
II wouldn't say anything about an
engagement thought. 1 would send the
ting with a bouquet of flowers and a little
note.
The messenger had 20 bring me back
a receipt. OF course because, as you
know valued that diamond. made by
old Carriers magic art just a. highly
as n IL had been dug from the mines OF
Golconda with the receipt. the messen-
ger brought nae lovely little note from
LYDIA. most sweetly inviting me TO call
that afternoon She was going 10 have
birthday party that night she said and
would not care 10 come 10 that, as
there would be no one there but silly
young people
"How " you think l liked that7 Not