El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-16
At the Charity Ball.


thing SO gay as Il charity ball?'
And you, my dear Miss Erickson, at
anything so dismal:" Mr.. Browning re-
piled.
The girl laughed and shook out the
folds of her misty pink dancing skirt
with its ruffles and lace. For answer
she laid her gloved fingers on his arm and
raised her brown eyes to his face as they
walked away from the group of daAcers.
The little alcove retreat" was at one
end of the long ballroom and was massed
with cut flowers and ferns. Mildred
threw her huge bouquet of bridesmaids
roses, her fan and lace handkerchief
down beside her and took up two-thirds
of the divan with her full skirts. Brown
ing sank back Iuxuriously in the silken
cushions ut her side.
Every one seems to be here tonight
she said.
Yes; even T.
.'There is Maud Jones, now, in that
pale blue chiffon. Do you know she is to
he married next week to Jack Marshall %
she, This is only her second season.
isn't il -
Second, No. only her first" Mildred
said. with a laugh and shrug of her
plump white shoulders.
Her first? You are more sensible.
Miss Erickson. Why, this is your tenth
season Don't you remember I was Mt
your coming out tea:''
Yes. and you were old then-2S: just
my age now" She picked up her bou-
quet and buried her face in the fresh
pink blossoms .
''And you We're in white and carried
pink roses just like those. Mildred
But not so large a bunch And she
began pulling the flowers out and tearing
off the petals. while Browning watched
her color come and go.
And | sent them"
And you sent them"
Browning shifted his position slightly.
u suppose you've often wondered why
I've never married. he said.
Mildred's checks assumed the hue of
her roses.
"I? Not at all. Rather. should won
der IL you did get married. am so
used to you single. you know
And ] should wonder at it too. 1 like
women. They are beautiful creatures
to he admired. adored and localized, but
kept at distance il a man wants to re-
tain his peace OF mind. Don't you think
SO. Miss Erickson?''
Can Mg- Browning be wrong?"
Thank you. Now, suppose 1 had
married when / was, say, Is: ten years
ago. I'D have wife who never thought
of me my home. but always of her
own personality and social engagements.
My home would be no home at all. be
cause should expect things of her which
she would never do
Miss Erickson was unconSciouSly pull
ing tn" flowers L" pieces and watching
Mr. browning with studied courtesy.
browning continued: As it is. | have
my bachelor hat. in which | am king. and
my servants. whom one ever inter
fcr"s with. re AMI come when | please
i" til" club. {" the opera. to dinners or
"a Europe My horses and carriages ar.
mine. AMI no one ever complains of them.
My hons" is solitude itself unless I wish
L" max" il noisy. Don't You think I am
n sensible man:
1T really hal never occurred To li,".
Mr.. Browning" Mildred said Iauyhin.
slightly.
'of course ycu do. for you have follow.
ed my example" and remained SINGLE
But not alone. There are mamma aud
papa AMI 10" and the girls MIR. Brown
ing oh. I should not care for solitude
nor rn ioNm'nt alone.
lyon are not So SELFISH
"\o''
'.N-h:i:''
"N". Mr.. Browning. I am not selfish
And y"u would Ice happier IL Won wcr.
not"
Rr"wrin= lo"krd ut her in silent amnz.
mcnt. ThcL i,c said;
Il suppose ] hav" given up II lot for
my scliishncss 1t might be nice to have
n VIII" always waiting for me and plan
ninS little surprises for my comfort and
enjoyment if she were sweet and nice
and charmin.-like she would be before
married hcT-and To- always have some
one To- take out with me whenever /. or.
rather. she. cared to go, and To entertain
my friends some women can do. and
/" see great. tall boys and gentle girls
my children growing up about me. But |
q man must have a lot Of nerve to ask a |
woman To give herself To him alone"
"Not necessarily" Mildred's lips were |
IN ricl in Il smile.
'tIcr freedom. her childhood home. her |