The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-17

to raise her spirits Pretty pcnnilcss girls
with sharp tongues are a mere drug in
the London bathrooms. George Anderson
was, OF course. faithful, aud she danced
several dances with him. 1T IS better
than sitting out all tho evening" she sa;l,
aenahlly' When Lady Lester remonstra-
led.
Lord Wimberley took her from George
for his usual ono dance"
"a nat seems nice young man" he said
in his kind, friendly unlover-like way.
Not we'll or Is he? 1T Is a pity he hasn't
soms clever woman TO push him along"
why, what could woman dor" de-
mandel Alice. surprised and Interested
"Oh, lots OF things. Women can push
and ask when men can't. they are sure
10 be treated politely even when they arc
refused, and very often they get what
they wanth simply because tits dlfhcultto
refuse n woman BESIDES. they can stick
10 the subject Don't you remember that
the unjust gave way 10 Tie importaunte
widow solely 10 get rid OF her. whereas
he would have ordered a man 10 be
thrown out. Well now. what Mr. Ander-
son wants is that woman sholid lind
out some comfortable berth vacant and
never rest until she has pushed him into
It,"
But how does a woman Begin" said
| Alice. with deepening interest. for there
was something fascinating in the picture
which Wimberley drew so lightly.
"Oht she talks 10 people and hnds out.
J Now. IL happen. oddly enough, that 1
\ know OF pest WORTH seven hundred a
( year, which is practically IN nv gift. and
/ which any gentleman who was gigo q man
OF the world and disposed 10 stick to his
work could fill"
WHY don't you give IL to Mr. Ander-
! SOM"
Well you see. I don't know him. and
I v,1,f .kus &
friend OF mine. whom wished to oblige.
were to ask me-but none has Apropos,
! want you TO do me favor"
! Alice's heart beat at this abrupt an
| nourcement Was ii possible that he
! could mean to propose after his eXtraor-
dinary beginning? II so, would she be
| gladP Would she be-
He made his request In plain straight
| forward language. and she gazed at him
| al first mystifed then "A prey TO mixed
emotion, anon aware of a rose-colorcd fli-
ture before her. Her face wreathed In
smiles as she gave her consent
| "WelI. now. is there anything that you
want from me. little sirl?"
Whereupon Alice smiling and blu..hins
told him what she wanted most
In the following afternoon FORD VIM
! berley called on the Testers and found
them at home Soon after his arrival
| Alice left the room on Some excuse. Then
| sns put on ntr nat ana Wont out lot tno
| afternoon. telling the servant u say
| Not al home" TO any callers.
1 When she returned she found her moth
| er sitting In the drawing room. musing
! profoundly. AS Lady Testers hour for'
dressing was past--and her toilet was
long and important function-Alice felt
that something had happened She was
trifle anxious, but she did not dare ques-
ton her mother.
| The latter opened the ball
Don't you think, Alice. it was rather
rude OF you 10 so away when Lord VIM
berley was hereP"
NO" replied Alice. boldly. HE asked
me TO. Itwas arranged last night that
should"
Mother and daughter looked nxedIy at
each other.
He is such n young man" observed the
former. vaguely. "lle cannot know his
mind"
He is not such young man. replied
Alice gravely. HE is n good deal older
than many men of more age Besides, he
is serious. devoted TO politics. much adj
mired as a speaker--as yol yourself said.
And he certainly knows his own mind He
| practically-and very tactfuliy-offcred Il
me a place for George. with seven hun
dred year, so that We may be able 10
maryland be out of the way-if | would
help him: and man doesn't do that ui-
He told me that he thought you would
| marry" murmured the widow, "and
spoke very generously about YOU"
HE is very rich" pursued Alice 'It
| would be n mere feabite 10 him. VIM
berey Is a lovely place. and there is the
coach. and no doubt there would be a
house In town, and carriages, and every
luxury and no more worry and trouble;
and you know, darling. that when you
really take trouble, you don't look more
than half-ouite young. in fact. especially
to people who are little shortsghted as
| he is"
And / should be free from your
tongue" nterposed the widow. sharply.
by no means grateful for these compl-
ments. Yes you are right. Lord VIM
berley proposed to me this afternoon. /
told him il was sudden and j would give
him an answer tomorrow. have thought
IL over, and / shall say yes He swears
that he loves me, and has never loved
any one else"
"And YOU must love him. too, mother,
dear" observed Alice. with catlke soft
ness "or you wouldn't marry him"
"Of course l love hm-devotedly-ha
from the first. There is no other reason
why l should marry him. is there?'
But reviewing the circumstances of the
case Alice felt that this answer might
mean nanything.-London World.