The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-04
PRETTY MISS
TONATH

IF you will share the fate OF Bluebeards
wife, you shall know ALL said she solemn
ly. IL have Leonard Conway's private opin-
ion of you in this letter.
How can he have an opinion of me when
he doesn't know me and hasn't set eyes
on me? And how can you know his pri-
vate opinion when he's an absolute
stranger to your
THAT is easily explained" replied Mrs
Scheveningen. opening the letter. when 1
heard that you were going over to The
! FRS this fall / wrote TO Minnie Dawson
and asked her about the Conways."
II could have saved you the trouble re-
torted Matty disdainfully; they are our
| cousins a hundred times removed. A Con-
/ way settled here about the time of the
olution. My mother is his descendant, and
as the English Ccnways condescend to ac-
| knowledge me as a relation. they have
asked me to spend a few months in the old
| country. They know nothing about me,
and have no doubt they are in a state of
mortal terror as to what kind Of creature
/ may prove to be-"
Mrs. Scheveningen listened TO this speech
| with ostentatious air of polite interest,
| but paid no attention to the information
| conveyed therein. On the contrary, when
| Matty ended. she blandly took up the
| thread of her discourse where she had
| dropped ii a minute or so before Matty
felt inclined to slap her friend for such
Indifference.
II was at school in England, you know"
pursued Mrs. Scheveningen, sweetly, land
| Minnie Dawson-then Minnie Butler-was
the only English girl ever liked. We are
| hocoro friando nj ho, 90,
| years She knows Leonard Conway init
mately. so to post you up in all his lido
syncracies L wrote for a detailed report
of his character Here is Minnie's reply:
81 am all attention. said Matty, with a
faint show of curiosity. She really desired
to know something of this unknown cousin.
"'You ask me about Leonard Conway
read Mrs. Scheveningen, holding the letter
close to her nose; az he is handsome, rich.
talented and, 1 am afraid, trihe prig-
gish.''
Give me the American translation Of
the last word
"a prig," said the reader, thoughtfully,
is person who thinks himself perfection,
and who ostentatiously reveals his thoughts
prig is an intellectual Pharisee.''
II have met creatures of that type" re-
marked Miss Herman. New York is full
of them. What nasty person your Minnie
is to say that my cousin is priggish! I
don't believe it,
Minnie also says that Mr.. Conway told
her that you were coming. and what he
thought you would be like
"Mr. Conway has doubtless created a
monster after the fashion of Franken-
stein!'.
$50 think" said Mrs. Scheveningen, vi
vaciousy. Here is your picture as mon
ster. my love. l.
''Give 1t in full" interrupted Matty, calm
ly. 81 don't mind how uncdmplimentary it
is. I'll punish him some day."
'S1r. Conway told me that his cousin, Miss
Herman, was coming over" resumed Mrs.
Scheveningen. picking up her letter. land
that he rather dreaded her coming. He is
so ignorant of American girls. my dear. that
he fancies the girl of fiction to be true
representation of the girl of reality. She
will no doubt use American slang" he said.
referring to his cousin, land smoke cigar
cites, and flirt with a strong accent. No
doubt she will hunt for a title and purchase
peerage with her money"
Matty made no comment on this letter for
the moment. but walked slowly towards the
window, with a smile on her lips. Then she
| turned to Mrs. Scheveningen with a flush
on her face.
'I guess I'll make him sit up all round for
that" she said, with strong American ac-
cept.
'Matty. don't speak in that horrid Yankee
manner" said Mrs. Scheveningen, in dis
may 'Tt is the kind of way in which he ex-
poets you to talk
That's fact, anyhow" replied Matty,
still affecting the American girl of fiction.
What he expects, that shall he have. I'll
talk slang with an accent. I'll dress like an
angel and get round freely. Cigarettes I'll
smoke, though l hate them. My cousin
shall see me just as his fancy paints me- -
I'm that case. you'll be back here i'm a
month";" said Mrs. Scheveningen. resigned
ly II never heard of such a mad idea He'll
simply detest you.''
'Oh, no. he won't" replied Miss Herman,
determinedly. He'll fall In love with me,
notwithstanding my slang. my cigarettes
and my accent Then I'll show myself in my
true colors and refuse to marry him."
You'll never gain him by showing the
worst side of yourself. Matty.'
I'll try it. at all events. My turquoise
|
ceed."
mo: shant encourage such mad folly
you're afraid"
~ am not afraid
"Then book the bet" said Matty Smart
". 81 want your ruby ring
Mrs Scheveningen laughed and ultimate
ly yielded
Every well, dear. I agree. But you'll lose
your brooch, or else"
"Well. or else?'
you'll win my ring and marry your
cousin
mo. 1 may win your ring. but I'll never
/ marry a man who holds such opinions
Now, good-by, dear, I'm going to buy
Moths and study the part of Fuschia
Leach
ITO be Continued Tomorrow