The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-04-17

ate imitation OF old time reverence over
the little hand extended him to kiss.
She clappcd her hands. Bravo!
Poetry, too. Eyes--lies. didn't think
you had 1t in you" Then, suspiciously
81 think you said something about ex-
perience a minute ago in connection
with proficiency in-such things. Al
your age ! suppose -"
She did not finish but the inlplca-
ton was plain.
Not very much" he said COM"
placently. II presume every man has
to experiment u bit before he finds his
other self. Happily nice girls don't go
through that mill. however,
Don't they?" She said it carelcssly
enough, but something in the tone
struck him and he looked up in time
to catch IA curious little smile on her
face.
NO. Of course not" he said with
emphasis
She maintained an expressive silence.
THE average man makes light love
n score of times, but we cannot con-
oeive of the budding rose of woman III
such a connection without feeling d.
sense of loss irreparnbie.' he said with
dignity.
do the ,nen you speak of make love
to each other?" she asked with II little
laugh. COR to each others sisters?'
She looked at him with n swift, tam
talizinE smile that set him on the ten
ter-hooks Of apprehension.
What do you mean?" he asked sus-
piciously.
81 mean that men have not quite a
monopoly on folly" she told him gen
erouslS. "Doubtless we have all made
our little slips"
Somehow he had lost his serene COM
manifest enjoyment
II ain not afraid OF your slips" he
laughed nervously. 81 know you have
been quite free from---from that sort of
thing
She smiled again and looked at him
with a roguish challenge in her eyes.
How do you know" the jimplcs in
her cheek seemed to be asking.
Il have implicit confidence in you-
the utmost confidence he reiterated
severely.
80 had in you. but it seems | was
wrong" she said demurely.
"rhat is quite different" he pro-
tested hotly. "In your case | should
consider it Dissertation tol--But wha.
is the use Of talking? You are only
trying to tease me. We both know
that
Hc waited for her to reassnre him.
but she only laughed a gay little ripple
Of amusement.
Such faith is really touching. 1t is
beautiful. but you must remember we
"a
men. Besides. without us YOU men
would find it impossible toto carry
on your flirtations."
He rose from his seat and began to
walk nervously up and down the room,
while she followed him with smiling
eyes. Presently he stopped aggressive
ly in front of her chair.
''IGlla!"
"My Lord she mu,mured with
hands folded meekly in front Of her.
DO you mean that YOU have ever
done that sort of thng?''
What sort of thing. my licge?'
you know what l mean--the kind Of
thing that other girls do?'
Her face was radiant. "If you would
explain more definitely
''Were you ever kissed - for in.
stancc?'
Her eyes tluttered to the ground. He
saw that she was blushing frriously
and dared not look up.
Were youo'
No answer.
"Were you, Ella"
"Yes--once." II was 50 low he scarce
caught the words.
Tell me about it,
''rhere is not much To tell
s'Then you can tell it the easier"
"Better not ask.
But do ask. PleaSc."
.You will not like it,"
"'rhat is for ME TO judge
well. we were--alone--in ii paIlor--.
and"
'YeS?' His voice was strained
''The usual thing happened"
'The usual thing" he gasped.
Yes the usual preliminaricS to the
light love-makinG you have mentioned.
Ii you have practced it q score of
times in order to acquire the-pro-
iiciency and delicacy-weren't they the
words YOU uSed?--then you don't need
me to specify"