Connecticut western news., 1899-11-16
our way toward the street.


 ''I didn't mean what I said about about big noses," she said softly, and picking shyly at my coat sleeve as she | spoke--.'that is-not about all big noses Cyrano' herself somewhat as the onward movement oi the crowd recalled her to conventional | ity and the recollection of where we were-''Cyrano was perfectly lovely ir spite of his nose. He was so sweet and | faithful to his love-" she finished more naturally as we came opposite a fine portrait of Mansfield which hung on the wall near by. Her wraps were still on my arm, and drew her aside gently to don them
 Phyllis, l said softly as she slipped into her jacket and I dropped the fur collarette into it's enviable place about her throat, Phyllis. do you think Cy- rano was the only man in the world who was ever faithful to his love in spite of big nosef''
 She looked up, she looked down, she blushed vividly, but I held her firmly facing me-under guise of buttoning her coat-and she was compelled to make some sort of reply. After a mo- ment it came, and unexpectedly gentle, considering all things.
 'sNo," she said sweetly, "I don't I suppose there are men living even now "a few of them anyway-who are faithful like that. ;"
 My heart gave great bound of joy, for had been longing to ask Phyllis a ~fosy For he or1 Phyllis was not always kind. I Iaugured we'll for my question from her late re- mark, but, mindful of the lesson of the earlier evening, was careful to all low nothing of my elation to be seen.
 Phyllis" asked again, holding both her hands in mine under pretense of giving her her huff, Phyllis, do you think I'm one of those menf"
 T-I-don't know; perhaps" said Phyllis, blushing gloriously, but she pulled her hands away from mine in 8 hurry and set her face toward the street
 was at loss how to continue the interesting series of questions which might never be 30 sympathetically and conveniently propounded and responded to again, and again Fate or Providence, in the form of the girl who sat imme- diately in front of us, came to my aid.
 "Oh. Phyllisl" che cried, evidently forgetting all about the snub adminis- tered by that charming damsel in dis cussing Cyrano's lawful" nose. ''oh, Phyllis, won't you decide the question Mir. Barnton and have been disputing Do you think it would have been easy for Roxane to love Cyrano in spite of his nose if she hadn't imagined herself in love with the other man, or would that fearful member have rendered any girls love impossiblef"
 Phyllis sniffed audibly.
 "Well, according to my opinion. my way of thinking" she announced with decision, ''the girl who would stop to think of the shape of mans nose after he had proved himself at all worthy of her would be too small and little, in point of soul and heart, to be worth any mans love. It doesn't seem to me such a little thing as nose even if it's as big as Cyrano's, seeing that the other girl and her escort sus- pected a pun and were preparing to smile, fought to be allowed to enter into the consideration of such ques- ton at all I don't see just how it could, for that matter. For my part, after the first shock of getting used to it was over, of course, this with a nasty, half furtive glance in my direc- tion, 'I don't see how it could have anything to do with the question of love at all-''
 "Well. I don't believe could bring myself to love man with nose like Cyrano's, persisted the other girl, whose escort, soon to assume a nearer relationship, If common report was to be believed, boasted nose modelled something after the snub pattern, and once more Phyllis sniffed.
 'I could" her attitude seemed to say as her friend kept on chattering and laughing, and took advantage of the moment to slip my hand over hers, as it hung at her side, the soft folds of her pretty dress in its grasp. Phyllis own nose is dainty little feature, but it was elevated in a manner more de- cided than graceful just then another fact from which I augured we'll Nor did she snatch her hand away. as had half expected her to do.
 Phyllis, I murmured again as we reached the street and stood waiting for the carriage, "do you think you could love a man in spite of his big nose, if he happened to have onef"
 Phyllis looked trifle scared, but the good blood which made her soldier an- cestors famous for their deeds of valor made her brave and trife daring, so she glanced up courageously to meet my eyes
 "I-I think so, she whispered back. trembling little, but not shrinking from my eager face in the least. and once more I was emboldened to further risking of my fate
 Phyllis" I said, whispering myself now, "do you think you could love me 2"
 There was a moments silence be- tween us, and then I was helping Phyl- lis into the carriage. But she had tim idly murmured "Yes'' in the interval, and that is the reason am now firm in my belief that Mansfield, concerning whose histrionic genius I had been care lessly doubtful heretofore, is the great est actor America has ever seen or will see for many day to come, and in this opinion Phyllis, who presented me with framed photograph of Cyrano and who has not fewer than seven other photographs of the man who made him famous stuck about the walls of her own sitting room, most heartily con CUTS. Chicago Post.
 Admiral and Mrs. Dewey as nome. Washington, Nov. 15. - Admiral and Mrs Dewey returned fn Washin ptnn