The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-31
n GOOD Oay SOith Women



I was sitting alone IN the tent, watch
ing the others play tennis. At least proc
fessed to be watching them. As "A matter
of fact. | was day dreaming. The dreams.
| may as well confess, were about Bob
Chalmers and myself. Fie had paid me
marked attention during the fortnight
that he had been staying In the neighbor-
hood.
Some one reused me by slogging a ball
into the tent When / had thrown It out
and settled down again. ] noticed that
couple of men were talking ON the bench
just outside. One voice was dear old Col
onel Wardwells. The other belonged 10 a
stranger-the gentleman who was staying
with him. | supposed
Just fancy Fob Chalmers coming down
here." said the stranger. 81 shouldn't
have thought there was anything at Far
away a. attract him" / smiled Contentcd-
ly. lie had seemed To fnd--sOmethins.
oh" said the Colonel, 81 don't know.
IL ne likes a country life. you see?''
Il shouldn't thi0k II was the least In his
limo. He's "A regular society man. knows
all the best people"
Does he? ] should hardly have thought
--er''--
'Well. you see his wife"--
His wife! The tent seemed to whirl
around me- lost the conclusion Of the
sentence: also the reply When | recoNe err
a niece OF Lord Hevington." he said
"Awfully pretty woman. The belle Of her
season. lie carried her of from a regular
crowd OF fellows. somehow or other
Quite love match.
''He always had a good way with wom-
en-" remarked the Colonel with laugh
lie had way" with one woman 1
knew.
- jolly good fellow" declared the
stranger. 81 can understand any one lik-
ing him"
heard them walk away and join IN the
babel OF merry voices. Some one came in
10 the tent and asked me to make one I'm
the next game, but / pleaded a headache
I decided to go home and avoid meeting
him until ! had recovered n little. but be-
fore | could carry out my resolution ]
heard his quick step upon the gravel path.
| set my lips and made another resoiu-
tion He should not have the satisfaction
OF thinking that | cared.
why" he cried. with his merry laugh
there isn't anything wrong with the
ground after all. ] thought IL looked aw-
fully uninteresting till saw this side of
the tent
! smiled and made room for him.
II wonder" l inquired. whether you
realy think that | believe all your pretty
7peeches? Come now, tell me-"
Don't say them as If ! mean them?"
He tossed his cap into a corner and
tretched himself lazily.
"Oh. dear me, yes You have an admir-
able way with poor. helpless woman! l
heard some one say so the other day, 'do
you know"
He pulled his mustache dubiously.
81 should be satisfied If one woman
thought So
lie looked down upon me with a smile
de is big, even when sitting.
only one?'
"Only one
"Of course you say that TO all of them.
II IS part OF the way
He folded his hands across his knee and
considered the matter.
Would you like me TO record a solemn
affirmation upon the subject?'
NO" l smiled At him as gaily as 1
could. II won't be made ain accessory be-
fore the fact"
What fact?"
Perjury"
He shrugged his shoulders. You are in a
easing mood" he suggested
Am IL You don't mind, do your"
mot a bit!' He laughed. He had no
business 10 have such frank honest
laugh | thought Indignantly. Il should
mind very much If you were in earnest.
Miss Eve
More of the way, Really you are ex-
celent' lie regarded me carefully and
grew rather grave.
II am afraid" he remarked al length.
II have done something 70 dsplease YOU
/ looked at him innocently. 1t hurt me TO
meet HIS eyes, but / did not finch.
THE weak SPOT OF man" / pronounced.
lis his vanity. lie considers all his dongs
OF interest-pleasing or dispeasing-to
others"
ITO his particular friends" he correct
ed
Am honored by inclusion i'm that cat
egoryT' Yesterday the question would
have appeared needless. Today IL seemed
absurd
ut IL n matter which requires two per-
sons TO settle. So far as I am concerned
--- He paused and glanced swiftly at me.
Possibly you would say II was only part
OF the way II finished the sentence?'
I studied the tennis carefully.
"Do YOU wish me to finish IT." he asked.
''It Is hardly worth while. A compliment
is obviously the proper thing You never
fail in your duty en- such occasions"
"Do ! seem so hopslessly inslncere?'
"On the contrary. you seem so unn,is-
takably in earnest That IL why ! consider
you so splendid" l laughed--quite a ner-
ry-soundng laugh this time-but. OH /
was SO mserable!
Miss Eve!'
Don't try heroics. Mr.. Chalmers. When
you look so innocent and lnjured" 49,
Upon my word" he said with some
heat. II t..ink l ann
do YOU? ] am SO sorry! Shall /
pretend TO believe IL all?'' | asked. IL am
rather good at pretend myself. I think.
OF course. can't do il so well as but.
He rose hastily TO find a wandering ball.
/ was glad 10 sec him throw II so savage
ly. 10 was a little consolation TO hurt his
vanity.
"You are--imposslble-this evening" he
remarked. with his usual good humor.
when hu had returned.
I am sorry, hecau3e--do YOU know I
was thinking that I am myself for once?'
"You are not n bit like yourself he
contrafcted.
Really? Am ! such q simple SELF that
you have learned all about me In a few
days acQuaintance?' | asked, scornfully
"I didn't mcan that of course he said.
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