Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-04-08

plump and pretty, with beautiful eyes
tn at she could use effectively on very
young men. These walked with her,
talked with her (she would giggle at
remarks that should have been re-
ceived with a cold silence), and flirted
with her.
She was called Flo" 1t seemed a
necessary consequence. There are
many noble, stately women in the
world named Florence, but it would
seem an insult to address them as
Flo" However, the name suited Miss
Latimer to perfection.
And Clarissa?
A tall, slender girl, bearing herself
with natural grace and dignity that
little Flo, push herself out and pull
herself in as she might, could never
initiate.
Miss Latimer's young-men friends
(she called them ''the boys'O thought
her cousin Clarissa stuck up. They
told each other so. But smile from
l
them to her feet. To be favored of one
whom all the others consider stuck up
and standoffish appeals strongly to
masculine vanity. Besides, she was
really beautiful, and as nice as a girl
who loves to be lady is to a man who
loves to be a gentleman. But she could
not be considered good fun"
When the two girls disappeared
along the path that led down to the
river, Sir Humphrey dropped the latb
OF the blind and proceeded to build up
his dignity of presence.
He had made up his mind He would
marry Clarissa.
The preceding years of his life had
been devoted to his business, and he
had scarcely ventured into feminine
society. But now he felt entitled to
show some relaxation of his efforts,
and had decided that he must bring a
wife to the palatial home he had built
in London suburb, and that she must
be beautiful, just as he had beautiful
furniture to adorn it. He did not an
ticipate any difficulty. He could pay
the bill
1t was curious coincidence-thati Is
to say, 1t may have been a coincidence
that Mr.. Latimer said to him, as
they smoked cigar together after
breakfast that morning:
You ought to marry, Potter"
well, l can't say l haven't thought
Of it," answered Sir Humphrey. Il
feel at times l want something to cheer
me up-to take my thoughts off the
work when I'm at home"
He spoke as If he intended to buy
banjo.
you want to find the right girl,
and then you'll never regret it. And
you won't make a mistake-that amt
your way, we all know, Potter"
Sir Humphrey had money in Mr..
Latimer's business.
you can hardly realize" continued
Mr.. Latimer, the rest and pleasure a
tired man can find in womans talk,
If it's lively and chatty."
Here Mr.. Latimer artistically lost
himself in reverie, emerging presently
with a sigh.
How I shall miss my daughter Flo
when she gets married! So bright and
jolly-such capital companion! We're
always together"
The feeling Of doting parent had
carried him away. He was not always
with his daughter. She saw to that.
at needs consideration, Latimer,"
said Sir Humphrey, and then, little
abruptly, turned the conversation to
other topics.
But by lunch-time Mr.. Latimer had
calculated to a snicety the minimum
cost of the transfer of his daughter
Flo to Sir Humphrey Potter. He
would, he decided, strongly advise a
quiet wedding chad not Flo's aunt
died within the year?) but he had
strong misgivings that that young
lady would like the thing done in style.
She would be sure that dear auntie
would not wish any difference to be
made.
In the afternoon Sir Humphrey SAT
with Miss Latimer on the lawn, until
she suggested the summer house by
the river as being the coolest. darling
est place. and providing awful fun
watching the people in the boats
They're all In love with each other
J and 30 funny to watchi Do coma
ls4Y Sir Humphrey"