The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-02-01
MRS. LATONS TEA

| "a NSCONCED in the depths Of her
JEn big armchair, a smile lighting up
her fine old face that her white
hair framed with crown Of snow, Mrs.
Harmon was considering her nephew
Andrew. a gOod-looking young fellow Of
Is. who. for his part, was considering
the timepiece on the mantel. whose
hands were already well past o'clock.
well, Andrew, do you find my clock
very Interestingly"
| In some confusion the young man
stammered an excuse, but she went
on
Now. don't deny it, you naughty fell
low You wanted to know If your visit
had lasted long enough for you to take
your departure decently."
Not at all, aunt. Your guess Is quite
wrong, for l haven't the slightest inten-
ton of going yet. But why do you keep
regular sun-dial like that In your
drawing rOom?"
perhaps because was born so long
ago that it is and not the clock that is
behind time. But come-instead of crit
iclsing my drawing room. tell me what
you are going to do when you leave
here"
'In the first place. am not going to
leave here for some time; but when |
have wearied you with my presence
until you cannot stand it any longer,
1t will be time for me to 20 to Mrs.
Laton's tea"
Mrs. Laton-Pauline Lnton?"
| "The same"
| "Ah, yes; | used to see her some time
ago, l remember her vaguely-a large
woman. dark"
"She is a blonde, aunt"
Indeed? She used to be brunctt.,
And so you are signing at the fee; II
Mrs. Laton?''
we are all sighting st aes feet
! "She must enjoy H."
well, rather think she ,so-s.
rs it fuGF'
"Aes, after fashion, We are always
the same little circle Of friends, and
then, besides Mrs. Laton. there's a SIS
ter, rather good looking girl, and a
few other young matrons and bachelor
girls"
"And what do you do besides look at
thees women?"
I'VE take tea. we gossip and we
firt."
"Oh, oh"
"But. my dear aunt. one must do
something between s o'clock and din
ner."
Evidently; and flirting is what you
have found to do?'
ITS way to kill time"
| Il scarcely know just what you
mean by the term. Explain 1t to me-"
"Oh. impossible. A definition for the
word has long been sought. but 1t has
not yet been found. But. given young
woman tete-a-tete with young man
who is not fool, and I warrant you
1t won't be long before you have prac.
tical demonstration. Filtration Is n
manner of being discreetly indiscreet.
To know how to firt Is no common ac-
complishment. 1t is veritable sci.
ence."
And Is love a science too"
| mo, It is rather an art"
| "And marriage-what is it?"
"Oh, that is philosophy"
Indeed? AT what age does one at-
tain this philosophy"
! "As late as possible"
at seems to me that at 2S--"
Aunt. aunt" cried Andrew. spring
ing from his chair. confess that you
are connecting some terrible plot. You
look as guilty as conspirator."
Mrs. Harmon smiled fine smile and
! enjoyed for a moment the consterna-
/ ton in her victims face. Then she an
swered. after pause
"Yes. you are right. ! wish to get
I you married"
"In Heavens name. what have done
to your" gasped the young man, with
comic seriousness; and as the old lady
still smiled. he continues: "See here,
aunt, should never have suspected you
Of such thing. You. a woman of In
| telligence, a superior woman. descend
ing to the role OF matchmaker! 1t Il \
terrible shatterlng Of my ideals"
"Come. come, my poor boy, do not be
so cast down. The girl IL charming.
can assure you"
1 "Of course" Andrew burnt cut. ''the