The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-29
e9n the Fencing School.

don't want me to flirt with you, do
you?
Why, of course do. Don't you see
what an unfattering reflection it is on
woman for a confessed f1irt to sit
talking to her for ever so long without
ever losing his head.
mats all very we'll, but it may
sometimes be of some Importance even
70 a confessed f1irt to keep his head.
Flirting is like fencing, you know
there is always one chance in thou
sand of the button coming off one Of
the fotls in the middle of the bout. and
then dangerous wound may be the
result. Well, Mrs. Mostyn, what does
that twinkle and suppressed smile
mean?
l don't think I smiled.
NOT quite. But there was an ex-
press1ve tWftch at the corners of your
mouth, which, besides being maddenly
pretty, had significance that for the
moment escapes me.
Well, l will be candid. I confess you
amused me. I have been waiting for
days to discover which Of the three
classes OF f11rts you belong to. Your
last remark gave you away
Come, this is interesting. You are
even better in the game than myself.
know the practice of the art as well
as most; but you seem to have gone
hear your classification?
The classification is very simple.
First there is the man who firts ri CHIT
away and thinks he can carry YOU off
your feet by storm-who is impetuous
and tries to dominate you by force of
Will; who has no scruples and assumes
you have none either Then there is
the quiet. apparently reserved man
who seems to be trying to hide his
1eehngs while really letting you know
them for all he is WORLDWIDE would
nave you think he would die sooner
than give himself away. This is rath-
er effective, if we'll DONE
I'm sure 1 don't fit into either of
these categories, Mrs. Mostyn: I'm DIV
ing to hear the third.
The third is the man who begins by
flirting openly and f1agrantly; who
makes pretty speeches to you whether
In company or at tete-a-tete, and tells
you straight he is desperately in love
with you, and all that at the same
time making no secret of 1t that it is
the merest game with no underlying
reality. Then, after a time, he grows
just trlfie more serious and a good
deal more reserved-pensive instead of
jocular-and tells you with some art
/ ful embarrassment that he is very
sorry, he has played an innocent game
so often that he didn't think it could
ever lead to anything, but that now
Well, all he can say is that it wouldn't
be quite honorable to go on seeing
you-that, in fact, his own peace of
mind makes it imperative, etc., ad lib.
That is far the most dangerous sort
Tor most women-and it is the sort
you are, Mr.. Fontaine. Your remark
about the buttons on the foils shows
you are just reaching the last stage.
But, of course, have heard the same
thing said in different ways so often
that l can almost tell what your next
card would be If we go on with the
game.
What would it be?
Probably, that since all the coinage
of Cupid has passed through my hands
so often in base metal it is hopeless
for you to think of persuading me that
your gold rings true.
Wonderful woman! For although I
had no intention of saying anything
Of the sort. confess that was pre-
cisely what was passing through my
mind in all seriousness. I would not
have told you Of my own accord, be-
cause have no wish for you to think
my coin different from the rest. I
should greatly prefer you to continue
supposing it counterfeit.
That is decidedly subtle never met
player with finer fiifesse.
rather fancied 1t myself