Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-02-16
A MERE SUGGESTION.
BY A. HOOD.

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, and he was
to be her own husband. 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.
Eyes, am very happy" said Phyl-
lis, presently; she had been giving
Maud 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 L be-
lieve 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 Mauds hopes only to destroy
them the next moment, SO she 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, 1 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.
''There! Now you know you have
thought sol" said Phyllis, delighted
to find she had made so good 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 1 had encouraged him"
"Why, of course; every man wants
encouragement. 1 expect he has been
miserable, said Phyllis. "And you
do like him?'
Maud put down her owp and ar
ranged the cushions at her back before
she answered, and Phyllis felt quite
anxious tor her reply. ST suppose l
like him." she taid at last, with
proper maiden hesitation.
"Then why are you so horrid to
him? l 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 himp' she said
carelessly. 81 can't help laughing at
men when they say silly things, can
you? Even George-Mr. Stratton."
you think of him as George" Phyllis
said, gayly. fAnd 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 woulin'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 i;
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
evolve lifelong devotion from the
chance remark of friend SO she
answered, carelessly: 81 hardly know;
gradually from different things. He
was always at the houses went to, at
the Jarvis Carriers, and-and every
where
"You will be kind to him, won IT
you, Maud? Wouldn't it be delightful
if we were both married on the same
day?" said Phyllis.
''Oh. there is plenty of time for
that: besides he may not care about