Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-11-04

II
M ma stick to the exact truth.
No one does it,"
"Speak for yourself, Bob" replied
HRS. st. John, warmly. ~ entirely diff
fer from you"
mo, you don't, Madge-you only
think you do. A few moments cNlln
reflection will convince you that am
right" rejoined the young man, with n
tolerant smile, which exasperated the
lady almost-but not Qulte-beyond
words.
Robert, you're becoming absolutely
uncomfortable. Do you mean to insinu-
ate that THAT | ain"
ooh, mol wouldn't so quite so far
as that"
"As what, pray"
GAS what you were going to say
replied the Captain, impertUbubly.
Mrs. st. John turned away with Il
shrug of her shoulders.
Not" continued he, suavely, "that
you're worse than other people; but
you must own you are continually com,
PEELED to draw upon your Imagination
in the course of conversation"
Certainly not! always speak the
truth"
Wonderful woman! Yet you man.
age to retain your friendsw
"Oh! il you mean saying Not at
home when one doesn't wish to re.
ceive visitors, or signing oneself,
Yours afrectionately' to person one
dlslkes," said the lady, contemptuously
mo, l didn't mean these usages of
society, which take in no one. l refer
to the habitual receptions that almos;
every civilized oars an considnrs- iustih
able" 70
"Such asp Quered his interlocutor.
"If you please ma'um," inquired a
parlor maid from the doorway, there's
young person called from Nine. Hi,
lalre, to know if next week will suit
you for fitting"
"NeXt week! Certainly not! Say
that l must have the gown by Satur.
day, as Pm going out of town."
"What, again, Mqdge" inquired
Captain Harcourt, as. the maid with.
drew. "Where are you off to now:
You've only just returned"
"Oh, nowhere III particular" replied
Mrs. st. John, carelessly; but l must
tell Hilaire I'm going away, or l should
never get my frocks in time. Now
what in the world are you looking Sc
superior for, Bob? You haven't an idea
how unreliable Hilaire is. I'm obliged
TO say l want things sooner than
really do, Where's the harm, should
like to know"
Harm! My dear Madge, none what
ever 1t simply bears out my conten
tion-that's ALL"
"Oh, men are so stupidw exclaimed
the lady; petulantIy. "Dressmaker'
don't count. l should Just like to sec
you telling the truth to your tailor"
Heaven forbidp calculated the
young man, plously. But then, YOU
see, allow myself a little more rope
poetic license-whatever you like tC
call it."
Bob, I've always considered you the
soul of honor. And now to hear you
admit that you are-well, that yor
don't always speak the exact truthw
"When you come across the indivld
ual who does, l should like to make
his acquaintance" observed Captain
Harcourt But somehow 1 imagine
you'll have a difficulty in finding him
and you won't care much for him wher
you do"
''Pm sure l SHALL like straightfor
ward people"
$50 do !. I'm seriously contemplat
Ing the ACCESSIBILITY of following YOU
example, and speaking the truth at al
costs-the brutal truth"
"D3," replied his companion, vlrtu
ously. "You'lI feel much better for it.
Il rather doubt that; but mean t.
try. Suppose we begin now"
"N'eT
"Of course, you, too; but MS it's YOU
invariable practice, it will be no trou
bic 10 you"
Every well; what do you wan4 &
knowT
"Your persplcnclty is not at fault.
do want to know something. Are yol
expecting Mr.. Charters this after
noonP'
"AIr. Charterls?" echoed Mrs. st
John, hesliatlng. "Why do you ask
really don't quite know; perhaps hi
may look in"
"Then you don't know for certain?'
"If you must have it, admitted th,
lady, II believe lie did mention h,
thought of calling to-day. WHAT'S th,
matter, Bob? Where are you going?'
MS Captain Harcourt rose and begal
looking for his hat.
y can't stay and meet thas outsider.
That's a nice way TO speak of IN!
friends"
Friends, indeedr'
"Well, | suppose he lays claim to tina
distinction. There, sit down again
Ill give orders he's not to be admit
ted" said Mrs. ST. John, touching thu
electric bell.
Thanks, Madge," murmured tn,
young man. gratefully, when the pal
were alone again.
"You don't deserve to have your ca
prices humored I'm this way, but
suppose such an old friend as you hal
privileges"