The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-03-16

serious enough" said. ''if you look
at them in that way. 1t isn't a good
way to look at things-things In gen.
eral-I think"
But one looks sometimes" she
said absently, at things In particular,
and feels very, very serious"
Then" | said. leaning forward,
one doesn't talk about them much.
There is rarely any one to whom one
cares to talk about them"
81 don't think" she went on. with a
little catch in her voice, there Is
ever any single person to whom any
one would like to tell them all-the
serious particulars | mean"
Il don't think there is. So usually
one doesn't tell them"
"Or unburdens ones self in install.
ments. as opportunity offers" She
sighed again.
Exactly. That is why there are
such odd condolences now and then.
The critics dashed a scene in my book
because he told her one of his secrets
in the first half hour OF their acquaint-
ance. 1t was natural enough. really"
He was bound to tell some one
she assented, "and she was the fitting
confidante for that particular secret"
Quite so. She was the response to
that one item OF his nature
"The worst OF it." said nay fair -
quaintance, lis when unc'E .asa.e b.
many-sided; because well ~r
what | mean"
Society expects us Ga o..
kindred spirit which Is a.
all the calls. and it csrro,
mo, il cannot" She
den energy; though IL -s
well-so very welt
hands trembled in he, IL
Wherefore" said + ..it
to myself, I'VE find il s..
not to expect too much f~-
to be thankful for what e. ,*.-re ST..
compassionate to what is ri.ri-r
you look at the mu.rr H..., .t..i-
ly than l." she criod passil1ats s.
with her lips quiverin
Perhaps" l told be. Z have looked
at it oftener, or Longer ago"
She studied the floor for 2 time and
studied her. She certainly was very
pretty.
What percentage of one, do you
think, Mr. Nugent" she asked at
length, Ought to meet with a re-
Spouse in "a friend?'
well, I'm hardly prepared for ex-
animation in the mathematics of the
subject. 1t depends on the one and
the friend and the kind of demand"
Take yourself, for example" she
proposed.
"All right" said I, struggling my
shoulders; IF it pleases you, I'll dis
sect myself My aesthetic demands
upon the friend have already formu-
lated; they are approximately salts
fed by several people whom 1 know
for example, you"
Your aesthetic requirements are
evidently very reasonable; but they
are a minor matter, after all"
Theoretically they may be; prac-
tically they are all-important. Then
my Intellectual demands l hardly
know-some people satisfy 80 per
cent. of them. You would answer to
quite 95 per cent. imagine"
She laughed again. AS have stat
ed, she had charming laugh.
Most peoples intellectual demands
are small" she said "The emotional
demands are the difficulty"
"Ah, yes! A general answer is i'm
possible there You can never tell
without trial. and when you try the
demand changes; and when you fail
you pay price. 1t is always risk"
as there no way Of forecasting?"
she inquired eagerly. Cannot even
an author with reputation for analy-
sis of character wish l had
make an estimator" l shook my
head.
Scarcely, think. He might make
a good guess Do you want me to
sum up some one for you?" :.
MOO. I merely wanted an ex-
ample"
Well" said smiling, "Tll take my
unworthy self again, and my emotion
al needs. You would, judge, answer
to 80 per cent. of them!"
But, you see," she objected, 81 am
already appropriated"
For the matter of that" said l, $50
am r."
Then we gave way to laughter
which is the practical philosophy!
j. A. Flynn in Black and White.