The Van Buren press., 1903-06-06
A PhiIopena
BY BELLE MANIATES
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1T carries me back TO my schooi
days" She laughed.
Not very far back" he insiruated.
"Oh, yes; this is my third season.
"Then | am right" he persisted.
81 should dislike to tell the number
of seasons that l have been indulg-
ing in cOtillons."
Thou hast all seasons for thine
own she quoted.
Here the figure ended, and Phyllis
returned to her partner.
"Who is that man l just danced
with?"
"He is q cousin Of our hostess" re-
piled her partner. His name is Steph-
en- Jerome. and he has recently come
here from Philadelphia. He is distin-
guished for succeeding in everything
he undertakes"
"How fortunate!" she exclaimed, 81
Just ate philopena with him. l had
taken no interest in the fact, but !
shall now 1t will he an Incentive to
bring failure TO so successful man
How unkind!"
NO; il does a person good to be
thwarted occasionally"
81 don't question your cleverrcss.
Miss Courtney. but I warn YOU that
you have a brilliant antagonist; he is
a diplomat"
The subject Of their conversation ap-
preached with a favor, which be Of
fcred TO Miss Courtney
81 regret to decline" she said. look
Ing up at him with shining eyes, "but
you know our philopena was give
or take"
Some one claimed her partner, and
jerome appropriated the vacant chair.
1--WE might dispense with the favor"
he suggested, "and yet have the dance,
but if you gave me the dance, should
be st No; I shall have to await my
opportunity TO take Il mean to give
you unawares."
"You will wait in vain" she re-
piled.
ITS n challenge Is it?"
Yes" she laughed
81 was tempted" he said, "to allow
myself TO be phiIopenaed in order not
10 forego the pleasure Of dance, but
] shall fight it out TO the sure end"
"You are so confident, then?'
"Why should | not be? You say
this is your third season. have been
counting mine, and find it is my thir-
teenth. Should not ten years major
ity be to my advantage?'
But 10 is the unlucky number, and
This is the year You will meet your
Waterloo. ! see l must leave you
again"
Towards the end Of the evening Phyl-
lis came to him with a favor, which he
courteously refused to take.
81 didn't expect you to forget so
soon" she observed. 81 simpywant.
ed to return your compliment in offer.
inc me one
His partner having been favored,
PHYLLIS occupied her chair,
81 want to ask your permission TO
call" he said. "You see, in order TO
test this case thoroughly, we must
have frequent opportunities TO meet
81 cannot give you permission she
replied "lt you call, you must come
without IT,"
81 certainly shall" he replied.
And he certainly did. His calls be-
came frequent and informal They
met at the opera, at dinners and rcccr.
tions. Phyllis enjoyed the novelty Of
deyotce who could not present her
With books, flowers, music, confcction.
cry and invitations TO the thcatcr
There was gcst in constantly being
on guard and in triumphiug over his
adroit subtcrfuges to induce her TO
stake"
She tried various devices 10 trap him,
but was always met by that slightly
cynical, aggrayatng smile,
Meanwhile, their intimacy grew
amazingly, In spite Of the c,er.prcs.
eutltte feeling Of mutual strife there
was an irresistible charm In their com.
pOnionship.
Spring came and still they were
both banled in their quest. Their
common acquRn,anccs were aware OF
their motive and made the subject an
amusing feature OF conversation.
One night stephen jerome pulled
himself together and acknowledged
that he must be mp and doing and
bring matters 20 climax, lie had
allowed himself TO drift pleasantly
along, easily foiling her attempts TO
give, hoping 90 find her mapping, But
he realized that she was ever on guard.
and was not likely 60 forget. so he
must resort 10 strutHgcm and force
her hand, lie had been content with
the equal match through the early NO,
duain,nncc, but il was different now,
lie wanted the phlopcnO question set.
tied before he asked her TO give him
something of infinitely more value than
trlning philopcna, Ne gave himself
thorough mental shaking and
worked bis wits out Of their sluggish
state OF inactivity lie poudcrod un.
I'll n late hour over the wOys0rd means,
but was compelled 10 go 80 bed with
no solution of the problem,
lu' h'N' H'''''h N"N 'hINUNt ~
breakfast the husband of his cousin
and hostess announced that he was In,
disposed and fuceIiously rendered 20
jerome his Office ofrasslnR The plate at
morning service,
Jerome began louphlngly 10 decline,
with thanks then nm IDEA struck
him,
SPRING IN THE VALLEY,
when the eatklh's On the willow
Ana the tHsstl on the hifth