Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-02-20

1t was at country house party.
Feeling lazy, l had stopped at home
with my hostess while the others had
gone out pheasant shooting.
Mrs. Carruthers suddenly looked up
from her embroidery and spoke.
However, l was not deceived by the
apparent unpremeditation of her ques-
ton, because had felt for some mo-
ments that she was on the point OF
saying something.
Phil, what do you think of Clare
Delayne?" and she resumed her work
in the most unconcerned manner.
l hesitated moment. Clearly,
must be very careful, for it is at all
times a most risky thing to give to
one woman your opinion of another.
In the majority of cases-mind, l only
generalize-if your opinion is enthu-
siastic you incur the one woman's dis
pleasure; if, on the other hand, your
praise is only qualified-well, keep out
OF the other woman's way. And in
the present instance the danger was
doubly great Why had l. who am
generally so wary. allowed myself to
be left alone with my hostess, the
most inveterate matchmaker in the
country? | felt that my whole future
hung on my reply, and as all this
flashed through my mind mental res
olution to this effect, that if Mrs. Car
ruthers was matchmaker she had
now found her match. So l asked
And who is Glare Delayne?"
why, you silly boy that pretty
blonde you took in to dinner last
night; you know, she only came yes
terday."
"Oh, that one," l said disrespect-
fully, trying to kill bluebottle. Il
did not catch her name when l was
introduced" and l resumed my chase
after the bluebottle. There was a
pause while | wondered in which di-
rection the next attack would be de-
veloped.
Phil, my question:"
(Which question:"
That bluebottle did fidget me so,
and l made a desperate dash at it,
eleverly managing at the same time to
upset Mrs. Carruthers work basket
But all attempts to draw red herring
across the path seemed futile.
open the window, Phil; that's
right, your fly has gone. Now pick up
my basket and tell me what you think
of Clare Delayne."
l was on all fours salvaging needles
and balls of wool.
Il think she"-I suddenly pricked
up my ears and listened. Il do believe
they are coming back l cried.
You think she is-what?"
81 haven't thought anything about
her at all. What do you think about
aer?"
This sudden turning of the tables
took Mrs. Carruthers by surprise, and
for moment she was nonplussed
But she quickly recovered herself and
deployed on the ground from which
had retreated.
We'll l was going to tell you when
you interrupted me with that absurd
fly that her father is dear friend of
mine, and she will inherit fifteen hun
dred pounds year when he dies"
Indeed" l interrupted with inter
est.
"Of course, it is not much" she went
on, encouraged by my look of interest,
but it is little help; and when COM
bined with the sweetest nature and all
the domestic virtues
She is just the GIRL" put in eager
ly.
She is, as you say, just the girl to
make man happy"
But does she want to marry?" |
asked, jumping up.
You silly fellow, what girl doesn't?
You have only got to ask them"
We'll, if that is the case"
'She Is also fairly well read, not
too well-man does not want that
and she is musical"
''If that is the case, as l was saying
before, she is just the girl for Captain
Rodgers" ] said. He is"
Mrs. Carruthe!S picked up her work
and sailed toward the door.
you are an ass, Phil" was her
parting shot.
Rodgers is musical,'I called out, as
the door slammed
AS matter of fact, had been par
ticularly entertained by my partner at
dinner last night, who had seemed to
me what is generally described as "a
Jolly girl with no nonsense about her"
| did not wish to be pestered any more
by Mrs. Carruthers, who had evident
ly come to the conclusion that | was
fool, and so rather than put her on
her mettle by offering show of re-
sistance thought the best way 20
secure peace would be to do all that
was expected of me, and, like Brer
Rabbit, LAY down and say muffin -
And so what more natural than that
should find myself again taking Miss
Delayne in to dinner that evening.
do you know, | expected that you
would take me to dinner tonight o."