The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-07-05

IF proposing matrimony to the lady who
was fortunate enough to win your-er-
regard, though, l suppose"
Certainly not. Phyllida," l replied.
'Your question surprises me-"
swell, I'm glad to find it's not so bad
as thought" she went on unheedingly.
II don't suppose you had time to get ten
der enough for that, thought?
81 only saw her for FIVE minutes or So "
l explained. Upon my honor, Phyllida.
you have no cause for alarm on my ac-
count. l assure you that nothing beyond a
hasty kiss passed between u.s."
The self appointed guardian Of my NOR
ais sprang to her feet.
"What" she exclaimed. "You-you-
kissed her"
"Only once" I answered soothingly.
"You must consider, hadn't been intro
duced to her long"
"Oh, this is too much!'
"My own, you asked for frankness,"
observed.
"Yes, hut not for callousness too. Oh,
how could you; how could your"
"You will excuse my seeming density,
much to me- How could I what"
ny chuptu tHchiSciNcS w
swer; her tongue, however, rebelled at
the words. leaned forward lnquiringly.
"Yes," repeated encouragingly. you
wanted to know how I could"-
"K-k-kiss her? Yes"
"My own. it was quite easy" I an
swered reassuringly.
"What!" was the indignant response.
"You actually boast Of It! Why, you
must be brazen"
'Not at ALL" returned, stung by the
unworthy insinuation. 81 am panied that
you should condemn me unheard. You
do not know all the circumstances"
"What ones"
"The-er-extenuating ones"
81 don't believe there were any"
pardon me: there were several"
"Tell me one Of them. then"
"Well. the lady didn't object"
"Then she was brazen too. l knew It!
You were both of you equally guilty"
This was overstepping the bounds of
ordinary acquaintanceship. Something
was due to myself too. In a moment
had resolved upon my course Of action.
81 cannot permit you to asperse an in
nocent lady who Is not here to defend
herself" observed. "The blame, IL any,
was entirely mine"
"Ah. you only say that because you're
a man." returned PhyIlida, obviously
softening a little.
at is the truth" I asserted proudly.
"Never shall it be said Of me that l stood
by and saw the character of a woman
assailed in her absence without raising a
voice In her defense"
Rubbish" was the inelegant retort
"She's designing mink, I'm sure-and n
cat too! So there! expect, though"
she added In another tone, ''if only the
truth were known, she led you on"
"Well," I admitted refectively. ''her
behavior might certainly be considered
er--er-encouraging."
"There! I was sure of it all the time"
cried Phyllida triumphantly. "Tell me.
now, what did she do?"
"My dear" I expostulated, you really
oughtn't to ask me such things"
"Why, was it so bad as all thatW
am afraid / must have unconsciously
nodded an affirmative. Phyllida came to
my side.
"You poor old thing" she whispered
softly. Ibid she put her arms round
your neck like this when she kissed your
This time I nodded purposely.
"Oh, the mink"
"Don't condemn her unheard."I plead
ed.
"You dear, good natured old goose"
said Phyllida gently, Its only your gen
crosby that makes you find excuses for
her."
But she was very young" urged.
"Young. indeed. H'm-quite old enough
to know better. I'm sure"
"Indeed. Phyllida. don't think this was
the case"
"Well, how old wa@sheT
"Oh, don't know exactly; it's not con
sidered polite to ask lady her age. yol3
know"
"Well, you seem to have got on such in
innate terms with her that should hav,
thought you would have asked her any
thing"
81 did ask her mother" / admitted.
"Ah-well. that's something" returne
Phyllida in a decidedly more Statistic
tone. "Tell me. though" she continued
"did you ask on the day that she mad
this disgraceful exhibition of herself"
"AIcaning?"
''Oh, you know perfectly well-the da.
when she kissed you?"
eyes"
"Well, how old was she then"
81 don't think ought to tell you. Phyl
Ida. Consider. how would you like
"But want to know such a lot"
GLOW much?" demanded sternly.
Every much indeed-please."
Gall right. then; but promise you'll
never tell her."
"Of course | wOn't-nOw"
"You don't want to know out of mere
curiosity. hope?" l asked anxiously. a"
I made room for her in the chair beside
me.
"Oh, don't be aggravating. If you still
care for me at all. and don't want me to
withdraw my forgiveness. tell me at once
how old that horrid girl was when she
kissed you"
"Put your head nearer"
Phyllida inclined a shell-like ear to
suitable proximity.
Gust 2 years." I whispered into it,
King.