Evening journal., 1899-10-09
BOTH INCORRIGIBLE,

81 do wish, Mortimer, that he would marry
and settle down. But l fear he's incorri-
gible"
Mr.. Brandenberg laughed Il suppose
you've already picked out the girl and Percy
Will have her for dinner and tea, for ball and
luncheon, at charming little tete-atete meet
ings, etc., until he'll have to give in from
sheer helplessness and marry her"
Il fail to understand you, Mortimer said
his wife, Grossly.
Come, now, don't get angry, Floss, but
you know you love nothing half so well as
making a match for people who are too
stupid 10 arrange one for themselves. And
must confess you've made some jolly good
ones, too" he added, diplomatically, seeing
dangerous sparkle in her eyes. But you
must confess there are just two people You
cannot do anything with-Percy and Nir-
ginia Iarelton.'
percy and Virginia Tareltcnl" exclaimed
Mrs. Brandenberg, clapping her hands &C.
statically. Thank you, thank you, Morti-
mer; you've suggested the very thing. Vir-
ginia and Percy are admirably suited to each
other-the same artistic tastes the same in
tense love Of trave, both with independent
fortunes, and"
"And," interrupted her husband, you
could no more induce the one TO marry than
the other. No, Floss, you'll have to give
them up; they're perfectly hopeless, unman-
ageable."
Go away, Mortimer, and don't be so silly.
tell you they were made for each other and
am only doing my duty in bringing them to-
gether," said Mrs. Brandenberg, tossing her
head de6antly.
"Gang yer own gait, missus," replied her
husband, smilingly, "and meet with defeat.
But III wager that is all you'll meet"
"Whatll you wager?" queried the little
woman, briskly.
''Ihe price Of your portrait painted by
Chatran," he responded, confident that he
would never have to pay it. "Done And /
intend to win" Mrs Brandenberg cried,
gleefully, just as, by a strange coincidence,
the door was thrown open and Virginia Tar
elton was announced. Mr.. Brandenberg cast
a quizzical glance at his wife as he escaped
from the room, but she was already embrac-
ing her dearest Virginia and did not notice
him. Miss Virginia was a rather stately
young woman Of eight or nine and twenty,
handsome, accomplished, and very wealthy,
but having been raised by a maiden aunt who
had met with disappointment in love in
early life and had in consequence turned
into a veritable man-hater, Miss Virginia
had been led to believe that men at best
were untrustworthy creatures.
Flossy Brandenberg, who was very fond
Of her, had made several unsuccessful at
tempts TO make her happy for life by marry
ing her to some venturesome suitor, but Nir-
gnia fought shy of all such well meant aid.
When, therefore, her friend began to re-
count the many attractions and virtues Of
her Cousin Percy Virginia listened but cold.
ly; finally, being rather hard pushed, she
turned at bay.
"Look here, Floss" she said, energetically,
please say nothing more about men and
marrying to me. III have none Of it,"
"Marrying" exclaimed Mrs. Branden
berg, tartly. "Why, Virginia, pardon me \
/ say what seems uncomphmentary, but
Percy Pentacoast would not marry YOU MOI
any other woman-under any considera
tion."
"And why not, pray?" demanded Virginia
quite hulfed.
Because" her hostess replied, soefnnly
percy has just as intense a loathing fol
matrimony as you have. never knew a mar
40 insaneiy opposed to anything as he is tC
marriage. And it's a shame, too, for Percy
is SO companionable, enormously wealthy
has Travelled the world over, paints, plays di
vinely; in short, know of nothing that he
is not master OF.
"And nothing could induce him to marry
Are you sure, FlossY Virginia inquired, eau
tiously.
"Quite sure" was the decided response.
"Then," said Virginia, drawing breath O.
relief, you may introduce him, Floss"
Mrs. Brandenberg seemed suddenly to los
all interest in Cousin Percy. She stitied
yawn before replying, carelessly: Il will if
ever get a chance, but Percy so seldom goe
out. But perhaps could arrange it, doubt
fully.
Miss Virginia's feathers were rufied. Sh
colored up angrily. pray don't put yoursel
out on my account It's of not the slightes
interest to me- she said, stifiiy, and theI
plunged animatedly into discussion Of th
new play. But when she had taken her de
parture Mrs. Brandenberg laughed aloud a
she said to herself:
'Point one scored
The day was an eventful one for Mrs Nor
timer Brandenberg, for Miss Tarelton has
hardly left the house when Percy Pentscoas
nm to pay his respects.
"You came Just too late to meet one Of m
most interesting friends, his cousin said, a
she greeted him warmly, after which sh
broke into praises of Virginia and kept it u
until Percy interrupted her, sarcastically.
IN ldcty sue perfect lehale pdlaeohi
suppose" he said.
NO" returned Mrs Brandenberg, lool
ing sad, "far from it, Percy. She would be
h were not for the unnatural antipathy sh
has for marriage. wish it were possible 70
you TO meet her, Percy, for you have s
many congenial tastes and pursuits, and 70
would be perfectly safe in her society an
could enjoy it freely, knowing that even
you wished she could not be induced {
marry you"
'You wish it were possible. What do 70
mean by that" demanded Mr.. Pentacoas
stung into interest at last.
ooh, Virginia has built such a Chine:
wall about herself that she's almost inacce
sible," she replied.
I've scaled some pretty high walls an
broken through many Others" Mr.. Pent
coast said, rather sullily, "and if l wante
to make myself agreeable to any woman
would do so, whether she willed i or not.
you're game, Percy, my boy, but you
not likely be tempted in Virginia s. case,
you'll probably not meet her" and thel