The Washington times., 1903-08-02


carnier said?" she asked. looking at the
Author coyly from under her long lashes.
Let us see; she recommended COM
piexion powder or something. didn't
sSe?"
She said" The Fair PHILOSOPHER
hesitated. "She said, L knew was no
I longer beautiful when the street sweeps
did not stop their work to look at me.
When that time arrives with me I shall
know 1t by the same signs" she laughed.
Then 1t will be time for the stockings
and the chimney corner"
But there are no street sweeps nova
days. the Author reminded her, Eek
cept the white wings and I'm afraid
they're not sufficiently susceptible to be
used as beauty barometers."
We'll. then, so long as the guard on
the elevated road calls me miss and
! the .gripmen on the cable cars make I'M
repeatable remarks about girls when I
dash in front OF them. l shall know the
time is not yet"
There was a pause, and the Author
said:
while ago about never having met man
you'd like to marry. He went up
quite close to her and tried to look into
her eyes. You didn't mean that,
hope" he added. gravely.
Really" she answered over her shoul-
der. as she walked to the window: real
ly. 1 don't see how that can interes.
you
Congratulate me-" cried tho Fair
Philosopher one morning, as she sailed
into the. Office, her eyes shining, "sue-
cess" writ large all over her. The au-
thor gave a quick. apprehens;ve glance
at her left hand. from which she peeled
her glove as she entered, and then sigh
ed with relief at the absence of any
CLEAN or sparkle on it's dimpled white
ness. She noted his glance with a su-
perior sort of smile.
BAH" she said: you men are so con
ceited. You think the only occasion for
congratulations is the securing OF one
OF you,"
The Author tried to look an embodi-
ment OF apology for the conceit of his
whole sex. mo, indeed" continued the
Fair Philosopher triumphantly; 'it isn't
that at all. Something much nicer. Ill
give-you three guesses."
Some one has left you fortune"
The Fair Philosopher smiled con-
temptuously
do you suppose mere money would
make me so happy"
You have been made president of thu
az oH he he
tion-"
Nonsense"
Well. then, you have had a story ac-
cepted."
Right at last. Isn't IT splendid? And
do you know" she continued. wonder
ingly, after moment. 'ft wasn't much
OF a story either; Just a simple little /
true thing. believe" she said sudden /
ly. that I have discovered something"
(The Fair Philosopher has a gift for see
ing the obvious and discovering the
her discoveries with a charming air OF |
proprietorship.) TT is that the secret l
OF success IN any line OF art is-the /
touch of nature
Wasn't there a gentleman named /
Shakespeare who
"Oh, yes, he discovered it for himself, 4
but I've discovered 1t for myself Those
sayings" she continued sententiously, /
ARE mere words until ones own expert
ence has made them truths. / hrd
was quite right"
"If the Bard OF Avon could only have /
lived to hear himself thus indorsed?' -
IT think" she went on presently
treating this interruption with the con-
tempt 1t deserved, that you must have
professional jealousy. You haven't once"
she said reproachfully, asked the name
OF my story or the name of my editor or
anything, and when I came In with the
good news you looked actually-non-
plussed."
THAT was because OF the way you
announced it," replied the Author. in
an injured tone. still feeling aggrieved
over the shock she had given him. Il
thought from the way you spoke you-I ID
feared that
THAT was engaged? I see. and" {
Here a twinkle of mischief came into
the Fair Philosophers eye. Z
And you thought" she went on slow &
~. that you might have to look for I
another secretary whose lack of a single
should be her chief recon- I
and so ugly that you-and I
your friends-should not be diverted by
too distracting' feminine charms"
The Author stared at her In unfeigned '
as she quoted these words {