The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-03-21
humbug. She calls herself phreno-
physiognomist.'
"What a formidable ttle!" | smiled.

"What a formidable title!' smiled.
"Yes, isn't it? But they say she's
awfully cute at sizing one up. I'm
so glad you can come"
$50 am ~ l said, looking into this
pretty canary's eyes.
They met mine with sweet look
an inviting, an enticing look. How
many wild songsters have | known
whom that look would have led captive
into the fatal aviary! l thank Provi-
dence that | am fortified, by reason,
against such allurements.
The next night l duly went to fulfil
my engagement. An excellent dinner
and half a bottle of the celebrated
claret put me in my best vein. l sat
with Ethel on sofa and billed with
her most agreeably- through the bars.
Then my hostess said:
Now, Mrs. Lowenstein, will you
tell our characters, as you promised
to do?'
"Certainly l WILL" replied that lady,
briskly, moving, as she spoke, into a
severely upright Chippendale chair
which stood just under the center gaso-
! licr.
By her direction l placed another
chair opposite to her. In this we sat
one after another as our turn came,
facing the acknowledgements. My
turn came last. She contemplated me
in silence for minute or more. Then
she said, with quite startling sudden
ness:
"You're wanting i'll nose
The remark annoyed me-in the
first place, because it was uaduly per-
sonal; in the second, because it con-
vcyed a totally unmcrited reflection
upon my facial appearance. l have
not, indeed, a great beak OF a proboscis,
which some people affect to regard as
the mos, becoming shape; but my nose
is very neat nose all the same, and it
is admiral y suite Il to my countenance,
which, l would have you know, is very
| much the reverse of any ill-looking
countenance, too
pray what do you deduce from
tha,?' | inquired. with chill politeness.
"A loving disposition she an
swercd You have great weakness
| for the fair sex"
This is very interesting," | OBJ
served. what else have you to tell
me about myself, wonder?''
IL, will avail you nothing she an
swered. You will never marry"
"More and more interesting" | ex-
claimed. do you deduce that also,
may ask, from my want OF nose?'
NO, not entirely. But-well, in
point Of fact, l will not tell you my
reasons now. 1t would be inconsider-
ate. By and by, perhaps, when / can
whisper them to you privately"
"Secrets, el.?' laughed Mr.. Phipson.
YES" said Mrs. Lowenstein, rising
from her Chippendale chair. "Occa-
sions now and then arise, you see,
when one forms impressions which one
feels it would be unfair and unkind to
make public. This is one."
"Oh! please don't mind me-" | cried,
nettled by her tone. ''Pray speak out
unreservedly. l sban't take offense, l
assure you"
Not now-anothcr time, perhaps"
she answered
Ethel, DEAR" said Mrs. Phipson,
"will you play us something?'
Ethel sat down to the piano and
struck up a sonata, or a fugue, or a
caprice, or something equally tuneless
and delni semi-quavery. Under cover
thereof, Immediately approached and
tackled Mrs. Lowenstein.
"Now," | said, "th;s is capital op-
portunity. Will you tell me why you
formed the impression Of me that l
should never marry? AS matter of
fact, you are right; but l am interested
to know how you arrived at that con-
clusion.'
II know l am right" she replied,
with quiet confidence. "It was very
simple. but tell me, do you really
wish me to be quite candid?'
"Certainly | do"
And you will not be offended at
what l may say?'
Indeed, not. l hope have more
sense"
"Well, then, since you ask me, l
will tell you. The truth is, you are
deficient in those qualities by which
our SEX is attracted. You are not the
sort of man, in short. with whom any
girl would contemplate matrimony."
At that | could have laughed aloud.
II if you please, mot the sort OF
man. etc. |, with whom about every
third woman of my acquaintance was
in love. |, who might at that moment
have had any one of a score of girls for
the asking. 1t was too ridiculous.
l merely said, however: "This is
very sad. | was not aware that l was
so repulsive.'
"Repuisiv,?' she replied. "Come
now, l never said nor suggested that.
On the contrary, girls like you very
much They find you companionable,