The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-02-20

lIdb
would be such a joke of a name we
would never be able to treat our mar
riage sacredly," she ended with a
charming pout.
Harriet looked at the eyes gazing
up so trustfully into hers and sighed
deeply. Dolly drew the dark head
down and kissed her softly, then
jumped quickly to her feet.
I'm not worth worrying about, you
dear, old goose, and l am sure you
ought to have found that out long
ago"
Il am not worrying about you half
as much as my cousin"
"Why, is dear, old Dick worrying
| about me?''
81 didn't say he was, but I am anx-
ious about him. When a man of his
age falls in love it is more serious
than you can imagine, though i"
Il know what you think, Harriet,
finish it up. Though you can't see
what there is in me to love; now isn't
that what you were going to say?"
mo, it isn't. There is everything in
the world to love in you, you charm
ing little witch. And l wouldn't mind
seeing the whole world at your feet
if Richard would only have dignity
enough to keep the dust off his
| knees"
I'm other words, you don't care
how many fools l make, so long as
your dear cousin escapes. Willie,
Reggie, Archie and George don't count
for anything, simply because they
are not your cousins? 1 can make
fools of them to my hearts content"
make fools of Reggie and Willie!
My dear Dolly, don't take that credit
unto yourself; they were ready-made,
or 'hand-me-downs,' as Dick would
say"
Harriet, if you get sarcastic
around here there'n be something do
ing. Reggie and Willie are all right,
| and if it hadn't been for their sur
names L should have married one of
them long ago"
"And the other would have lived to
bless his memory" responded her
friend.
Lets change the subject, Harriet.
Which dress will wear to-night?'
"You always want to change the
subject when you are getting the
worst of it,
ITS plain to be seen why 1 get the
worst of it. You don't care what you
say to me; but 1 am in my own house
and am bound to be courteous, no
matter what 1 think"
II will gladly take you over home
and discuss your frivolity."
Really, Harriet, you couldn't blame
me much if / should refuse such very
cordial invitation, now could you?
Let's forget all about your crazy old
cousin and all the others, and tell
me what to wear tonight"
Harriet ignored the question. Aft
er a pause she asked:
did Richard tell you last night that
he was going away?"
Don't you think the pale blue the
most becoming?"
Dolly, did hep"
Zone can hardly tell what is becom-
ing with this pile of colors around.
I'll bring them out one at time and
you must tell me which one to wear,
| want to look particularly nice at the
dance. You know Tom Van Horn has
just come back, and have a bet with
Reggie that he will dance with me
oftener than any other girl
Tho nI1ar ri o, o,-o1o
nation and turned toward the win
dow, but not before Dolly had OBJ
served, with mischievous eyes, from
under her half-lowered lids, the start
and the blush.
Il suppose you are going to the
dance with Reggie?" said Harriet, her
face still toward the window.
Il can promise you that I am not
coming home with Reggie"
Probably you will allow Mr.. Van
Horn to escort you home.'
"Of course 1 will, if he asks me. By
the way, Harriet, you and Mr.. Van
Horn were very good friends at one
time, were you not?'
Il don't know exactly what consti-
tutes very good friend in your es-
timation, Dolly"
you mean amongst men?" ques-
toned Dolly.
DO you ever discuss anything
else?" retorted Harriet.
"That's hardly fair, I tried my best
to discuss dress little while ago and
you wouldn't give the poor men a
rest; but I always consider men who
have proposed to me my very good
friends, unless, of course, they are
silly about it. Now 1 always thought
Tom Van Horn acted beautifully
when you refused him so heartlessly
and sent him to the other. end of no.
where. You sly old dear, l bet you
sent him where there were no pretty
girls about
$50 you think that Tom has pro-
posed to me, and that l have refused
him? 1t is really awfully good of
you, Dolly, to take what l have left"
81 didn't say 1 was going to take
him, though I'm not saying wouldn't
if | had half a chance"
81 haven't seen anyone yet who
could resist you when you tried to
be your charming SELF