Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1900-06-27
660O0HY, Mr.. Browning, you at
W anything SO gay as a char
ity ballW

And you, my dear Miss Erickson, at
| anything 50 dismal? Mr.. Browning re-
piled.
The girl laughed and shook out the
folds of her misty pink dancing skirt
with its ruffies and lace.
Il have just one dance left, a schot-
| tische. Shall it be for your" he said.
If you will so honor me. But as l
can't dance anything but the waltz I
am going to ask you to come with me
| to that little alcove retreat over there,
where we can talk and watch the fig
| ures."
For answer Mildred Erickson laid her
gl0yed fingers on his arm aud raised her
brown eyes to his face as they walked
away from theS group of dancers now
forming for the schottische.
The little alcove fetreat" was at one
end sof. the .long ballroom, and was
massed with cut flowers and ferns. Mff--
dred threw her huge bouquet Of BRIDES
maids roses, her fan and lace handker-
chief down beside her and took up two
thirds of the divan with her full skirts.
Browning sank back luxurously in the
sllken cushions at her side.
Everyone seems to be here tonight"
She said. -
"Yes. Even l." -. Z
"There is Maud Jones, now, In that
pale blue chiffon. Do you know she is
| to be married next week to Jack Mar
shall?'
"She? This is only her second season,
Isn't it?"
Second! No, only her first" Mildred
said with 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 WAS at
your coming out tea?"
Eyes, and you were old then-28; just
my age now." She picked up her bou-
| quiet and buried her face in the fresh
pink blossoms.
"And you were In white and carried
pink roses, just like those, Mildred"
".But not so large bunch" And she
began pulling the flowers out and tear
| ing off the petals, while Browning
watched her color come and go.
"And sent them"
"And you sent them.'
Browning shifted his position slightly,
| II wonder what Marshall wants to
marry that little Miss Jones fOrT he
said.
"As she is not an heiress, he probably
thinks he loves her. l hope 1t does not
worry YOU Mr.. Browning"
ME? Not at all. l suppose you've
often wondered why I've never mar
red."
Mildred's cheeks assumed the hue Of
her roses. :,
II? Not at all Rather. should won
der IL you did get married. am - used
to you single, you know"
And | should wonder at 1t, too.
like women. They are beautiful crea-
lures to be admired, adored and Ideal
| lied, but kept at a distance II a man
wants to retain his peace of mind.
Don't you think SO, Miss Erickson"
Can Mr.. Browning be wrong"
"Thank you. Now, suppose 1 had
married when | was, say, %. Ten years
ago I'd have a wife who never thought
of me or my home, but always of her
own personality and social engage
ments. My home would be no home at
all. lecause l should expect things of
her which she would never do"
Miss Erickson was unconsciously
|pulling the flowers to pieces and watch
| ing Ner. Browning with studied cour-
tesy.
BIgwning continued: "As it is,
havs my bachelor fiat, In which 1 an
king, My servants, whom no one In
terfsres with. l go and come as,
please. to the club. to the opera, tt
dinners, or to Europe. My horses ant
csrrages are mine, and no one evel
complains OF them. My house Isl sob
) nd itself, unless 4: wish to make i
noisy. Don't you think | am a sen
ri,s;ble. man.f.'. =. '.'' -
1T really had never occurred to me
: lMr. Browning Mildred said, laughing
slightly.