The suburban citizen., 1901-11-09
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES.

day nlght-a time when, stand
ing as one does on the threshold
of new week, it is only appro-
prlate that new resolutions should be
3ormed. This, at any rate, was
Phylllda's view of the matter, and
no Saturday within my memory had
ever been permitted to join Its pre-
decessors until she had solemnly reg
istered a determination to lead
"higher and more purposeful life" for
tAe future
"You mustn't go yet" observed Phyl-
Ida, laying OBTAINING hand on my
arm.
"But my train WILL" protested.
"Never mind that-you can catch
another"
resigned myself to the inevitable
and sat down again.
II called you back because you'd
forgotten something" she remarked
81 don't think sony oyercoat is
In the hall, and I've got your letters
for the post all right"
"Its something more important
than letters" returned Phyllida.
"Guess"
"Parcels?"
"No-nor telegrams, either. You
know perfectly well what you've
omitted to do. I'm not going to give
you the opportunity OF making an
other silly remark, though, so I'll tell
you at once-you haven't made any
good resolutions for next week yet"
"Quite so-I'm afraid 1t slipped my
memory. Have you noticed how tho
wind is risinc?"
"Yes-it will probably be lne il 1t
doesn't rain" broke in Phyllda. Il
don't think we need talk about the
weather, though"
"It is unspeakable," l agreed
"Then perhaps you will give me
your attention for a few minutes Do
you know what day this is"
l consulted my notebook. 1T Is the
10th Of the month"
Yes and it Is also Saturday even
ing" returned my companion in a
deny-it-if-you-can voice I'm a quar-
ter Of an hour or so we shall enter on
a new week. l should like to know
therefore, what your resolutions for
its proper observance are"
81 think, Phyllida" 1 remarked, dip
lomatically that it would be as
well If you would mention the more
conspicuous OF my moral lapses"
1T is u time for self-examination,"
she replied, severely. "SHll, perhaps
it would be better If l did as you
suggest"
"You needn't look so relieved she
continued. "Tm only going to tell you
your faults, because l don't believe
l should get the truth out Of you"
"That is not the way to invite con-
fidence," 1 replied with dignity "a
moment ago and was more than
ready to reveal the utmost workings
Of my mind to you. AS it is--well-"
Phyllida rose from her seat and
crossed to my side. Looking at the
matter impartially, 1 cannot regard
her subsequent action strictly in ac-
cordance with the dictates Of pro-
priety. 1t was, however, distinctly
tranqullzing-and then, there were
no spectators.
Every WE'LL" I observed as she re-
turned to her own chair, "ask me any
thing you like"
"Now you're nice again." she an
swered smilingly you can't think
how attractive it makes you. Well,
what want you to do is to describe
all the girls you've fallen in love with
since last Monday"
"All Of them?"
Phyllida nodded acquiescence.
I'm afraid l shall have to 90 In
ten minutes" 1 replied.
Don't be frivolous. Have you seen
any girl whom you liked very much
during the past week? Now, be
candid. Examine yourself thoroughly"
Il have given the matter my atten-
tion," ventured at length, "and find
that 1 have only erred and strayed in
one single instance"
"Ha" exclaimed my lnuulsitor,
sharply, $50 you admit that you have
been mlsbehaying, do your
Don't make me regret my conf
dence," L pleaded. 81 was not wholly
to blame, l assure you. The incident
occurred some time ago-three days
at least"
ITS ineXcusable," was the stern re-
tort. Il declare, you're not to be
trusted out of my sight for more
than an hour or two at time"
81 only saw her for five minutes
or So" L explained. upon my honor,
Phyllida, you have no cause for alarm
on my account. assure you that
nothing beyond a hasty kiss passed
between u.s."
"Whatp she exclaimed-"You-you
kissed herP
only once" answered soothingly.
You must consider / hadn't been in
troduced to her long"
"Oh, this is too much!
My own, you asked for frankness,"
l observed.
Yes but not for callousness, too.
Oh, how could you-how could your
1T was quite easy" 1 answered re-