The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29
AT THE CHARITY BALL.

Shall il be for you?" she said.
IF you will so honor me. But as 1 can't
dance anything but the waltz. 1 am going
TO ask you to come with me to that little
alcove retreat over there, where We can
talk and watch the figures
For answer Mildred Erickson laid her
brown eyes to his face as they walked
away from the group of dancers now form
ing for the schottische.
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 bridesmaid roses, her
fan and lace handkerchief down beside her
and took UP two thirds OF the divan with
her full skirts. Browning sank back lux
uriously in the silken cushions at her side.
Everyone 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 be
married next week to Jack MARSHALL"
She? This is only her second season.
isn't it,"
Second No. only her first" Mildred
said with a laugh and shrug of her plump
white shoulders.
Her first? You are more sensible, Mss
Erickson. Why, this is your tenth season.
Don't you remember l was at your coming
out tea?"
Yes, and you were old then-twenty-
eight; just my age now" She picked "
her bouquet 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 a bunch and she he
gan pulling the flowers out and tearing of
color come and go.
And | sent them"
And you sent them
Browning shifted his position slightly.
81 wonder what Marshall wants to marry
that little Miss Jones fOr?'' he said.
LAS she is not an heiress, he probably
thinks he loves her. l hope it does not
worry you, Mr.. Browning"
Me? Not at all. l suppose you've often
wondered why I've never married"
Mldred's cheeks assumed the hue of heI
roses.
Il? Not at all Rather. L should wonder
il you did get married. l am so used TO
you single, you know"
And | should wonder at it. too. l like
women. They are beautiful creatures. TO
be admired adored, and idealized, but kept
at distance if a man wants to retain his
peace of mird. Don't you think so, Miss
Erickson"
Can Mr. Browning be wrong?"
Thank you. Now. suppose / had mar
ried when ! was say, twenty-eight. Ten
years ago I'd have a wife who never
thought CT me or my home, but always CT
her own personality and social engage
ments. My home would be no home at all,
becauSa I ShnuId ayuact THINGS nf bar
which she would never do
Miss Erickson was unconsciousiy pulling
the flowers to pieces and watching Mr..
Browning with studied courtesy.
Browning continued: las it is, l have
my bachelor fat. in which l am king. My
servants, whom no one ever inter-
feres with. l go and come when please
to the club. TO the opera. to dinners. or TO
Europe. My horses and carriages are
mine, and no one ever complains of them.
My house is solitude itself unless I wish
to make it noisy. Don't you think l am
sensible man.
1T really had never occurred to me,
Mr.. Browning Mildred said, laughing
slightly.
"Of course you do, for you have followed
my example and remained single"
But not alone. There is mamma and
papa and Joe and the girls Mr.. Browning.
Oh, should not care for solitude nor en-
joyment alone"
You are not so selfish"
No"
WHAT"
mo. Mr.. Browning. I am not selfish.
And you would be happier If you were
not"
Browning looked at her in silent amaze
ment. Then he said.
I have civ lot Nr nv.
selfishness. 1t might be nice to have
wife always waiting for me and planning
little surprises for my comfort and enjoy
ment if she were sweet and nice and
charming like she would be before | mar
ried her. And to always have some one to
take out with me whenever I-or rather
she-cared to go. And TO entertain my
friends as some women can do. And to
see great tall boys and gentle girls-my
children-growing up about me- But
man must have a lot OF nerve TO ask
woman to give herself to him alone
Not necessarily" Mildred's lips were
parted in a smile.
Her freedom. her childhood home. her
name, all girlish pastimes. every bit Of
Browning went on, answering his own
question.
She regards it all as a pleasant sacIi-
fee if she loves the man, Mr.. Browning"
And if she loves the man will she want
to DO all this if he asks her to-
Men are positive and women negative.
80 you advise me to marry?'
Il advise all men to marry.
Then why are you single. Mldred?'
Il? oh, am woman. ald she laughed
softly.
Browning watched the gay scene of the
ballroom in silence moment. Then lie
said,
Mildred, shall tell you why I never
married."
The girl buried her face again in the
roses.
Yes she said.
Because l never thought you would ave
me. You were so bright and gay and ten
years younger than l..
Mildred leaned forward until he felt her
breath on his cheek. She spoke rapidly
for she saw Mr.. Bixby coming to claim a
waltz.
shall I tell you why I never married,
Paul."
Yes
Because you never asked me-"
Mildred
Browning sprang forward ON the siIken
cushions and caught her hand. But size
withdrew il hurriedly, and with her face
al wreathed in smiles caught up her flow
eTS ana nan ana race uduuhtIGultt anu Siiu,
as she walked away:
Come to me tomorrow afternoon at 3,
Mr.. Browning
And a moment later Browning saw her
floating through the steps OF the wa Il en-
the arm OF George BiXby.-St- Louis Star.
TOLsTOY'S SENSE OF HONOR.
Fair and Open Criticism n Badge of
Honesty.
(From the Newcastle LEng.l ChronicleO