Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-05

dabble in antiquities. Then they
wouldn't quarrel with antiquarians."
Anyhow it disposed a. my theory
completely"
Then, why didn't no say it at the
timer"
Probably he thought me beneath ar
gument." As a matter OF fact l had, for
once, made an effort 10 be magnanimous
''He is a great deal too superior
stated Maud. 1 felt myself blushlQg."
He really knows great deal, sug-
gested Vera, timidly. l made mp my
mind not 10 quarrel with her any more.
"A lot Of Anticipated rubbish Of no use
to any one" scoffed Maud. / could feel
that she was tossing her mead. Jack
calls him the 1umber-roOm' Jack is a
young ahs!
Il don't agree" said Vera, holly. Jack
IS"
mo he isn'tr He's very nearly en-
gagged 20 Maud.
"a charming and intelligent fellow.
was going 10 say"
NASTY little story-tellerw l thought
they were going to quarrel, but they
well I'll admit the learning of your
Mr.. Norton" said Maud, when they had
done laughing, but"
He isn't my Mr.. Norton" Vera OBJ
tccted There waz a further pause. IL
Maud had gone / should have felt inclin-
ed to come out and place Mr. Norton"
at pretty Vera's disposal, but Maud didn't
"Do you really like him. old ve?" sho
only Just a little"
"Sure?"
'"Yes-almost sure"
81 can't see what you like in him." pro-
tested Maud. impatiently. Hes 40, at
least" Thirty-seVen only, Miss Maud.
81 don't care if he is. lie looks young"
Hes fun Of conceit" That really was
a mistake.
"Oh, Maudlel or course. he can't help
knowing that he knows things"
"Rubbishy antiquities, 1 beg your par
don, dear old girl. for attacking your
subject but they are. Anyhow, i don't
believe he knows half so much about
them as you do"
That" said Vera, sis utterly absurd.
do not deceive myself upon that point"
/ have been studying antiquities Tor
! twenty years. She had dabbled in them
for two. Her friends had persuaded her
that she was an authority, and she had
posed a little TO me. | had been lmpa-
tient and tactless in pointing out her
harmless errors That was the beginning
of our quarrcllng. AtterWard we dis
agreed upon everything that We happened
to discuss. We had discussed a good
many things. .,
"Anyhow." contended Maud ''he doesn't
know much about anything else-eXoept'
perhaps, chess and billiards
HE rows well and dances splendldly.'
III he did things az well as he thinks
be does" said Maud scornfully. You
viii admit that my situation was en-
, barrassing. q,
you are rather hard on him, Maud, l
think" So did L. won't you admit that
he has any good points,
"Oh--he can talk He's very amusing
when he comes out Of his shell. j rather
like TO talk TO him myself" Indeed
but | don't believe he has bit or sen,
timent in him. I'm sure he never KISSED
q girl In his life" Hasn't he? Unless -
She laughed mlschievously-"its you,
you are ridiculous" protested vera;
"He wouldn't dream OF such a fnlng.
Obviously Miss Vera understood me TO
better than other antiquities.
PERHAPS he-why don't you leaVe OH
sauabbling with him.
He won't let me. He generahy begins
by asking whether ! am ready Tor our
, usual quarrel
"Why don't you say 'no'?'
Because he ought TO say H.. TO-
I solved that he should. nm
Then YOU will find him deadiy uuli'
IL don't think ! should. a.,
"Whatever would you talk 2Doutf
] "Oh-the usual things
MY dear We he couldn't JUST ianDy
him whispering soft nothings In you.
! earl" Maud laughed. Personally, didn
! see anything 20 laugh at. Ana you
! hlushing and looking DOWN