The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-07-22
THE PHILOSOPHER
AND THE FLIRT.

eff my remarks bore you," said the
philosopher, sitting up rigidly, "pray 90
not hesitate to say So"
''They don't in the least" she protest
/ ed. ''I'm enjoying them awfully-l real
ly am"
The philosopher relaxed at once. $50
am L." he confessed. "And, by-the-bye
4 was nearly forgetting-there is some
thing I wanted particularly to ask you.
"Yes?" she said, leaning towards him
with an almost childish gesture of eager
ness.
eyes," said the philosopher, clearing
his throat. "I wish that dove would
stop singing q moment-he distracts my
attention. Well, now, has it
ever occurred to you that you are very
lovely and particularly adorable sort of
little creature?"
The girl slowly shook her head.
"N-no," she responded, in a tone of
careful deliberation. "I-don't think
it-ever-has."
Nobody ever told your" asked the
philosopher nonchalantly.
She puckered her brows in a strenu-
Gus effort of memory, and again shook
her head. Il don't think So" she re-
peated Il can't recolect anybody tell
ing me just precisely that; but [ am
afraid my memory isn't very reliable in
some things
"Then 1 am glad to have the oppor-
tunity of being the first to inform you
of the fact" said the philosopher in his
most urbane manner 'You are an
adorable, lovely little creature"
ooh = thanks" she murmured,
looking down. Thanks so much! It's
it's so kind of you"
Not at ALL" said the philosopher. 81
speak from conviction, not caprice, and
it's the happiest chance in the world
that brought me to Monte Carlo at the
identical moment that you and your
dear, good aunt happened to be staying
here"
"Chance?' echoed the girl, glancing at
him out of the tail of her eye.
"Well, to be perfectly candid with
you," he replied, "chance was sort of
accessory before the fact. Maunceforth
caught rumor at Naples then
there was my system. l did my best
to dissuade him from coming-even
against my own private inclinations."
She nodded thoughtfully. 'The laws
of chance are very curious-aren't they r.
"They are simply incomprehensible,' y
he admitted "Black should never-but
all the same, / am glad Maunceforth
prevailed"
"Yes,' said the girl, absently prodding
the gravel with her parasol-"yes."
The philosopher turned towards her
with sudden emphasis. 'Then you are
glad, too" he demanded. "Glad I came p
She raised her eyes to his, and they
swan with mischief.
CT didn't say that" she protested
did II"
"You said Yes, yes,'" he pointed out,
(which is practically equivalent to an
affirmation"
II was thinking of something else =
she confessed, blushing. Il think,
perhaps, I had better tell you some
thing"
DO" said the philosopher encourage
ingly.
sWell-of course tit was a terrible
misfortune about your system-and all
that; but you see, I happened TOTO see
Lord Maunceforth also this morning
before I met you in the Casino."
'Dear met" murmured the philoso-
pher, "did you? I quite imagined he
had remained on the yacht"
mo, he came ashore early-on pur-
pose"
"On purpose?"
sTo-to see me-" She colored slight
ly under the philosophers unwinking
gaze
'cDear mel" he repeated. "What an
extraordinary fellow!"
Il don't see anything extraordinary
about it!' she retorted, frowning. ut
was the most natural thing in the world
considering. He-got my aunt's let
ter, you see, at Naples, saying we were
coming to Monte Carlo. He told
me that, when he mentioned the fact
to you, it was simply all he could do to
prevent you from travelling down here
by the next train!"
"What a shocking prevaricator! ex-
claimed the philosopher. Sand he pre-
tended he wasn't coming ashore till this
evening! Let us-let us dismiss him
from our thoughts" he added loftily.
II am afraid I can't do that" she dis
scented. "At least, not altogether"
"Why?" demanded the philosopher
fixing stern eye upon her.
Because said the girl, because
And at that moment the dove began
cooling again.
"Those BIRDS" declared the philoso-
pher testify, fought to be shot. They
are a perfect nuisance. To return, how,
ever, to the point. I am, as you see"-
he made a large, declamatory gesture
terribly devoted to you terribly In
spite of my system, came to Monte
Carlo especially to see you'll confess
it-and to ask you, to ask you, in fact
mo, no-don't please" she interrupt
ed hastily.
"And pray why not ?" he demanded in
an injured tone.
"Because-well, because of the same
reason that-the dove interrupted just
now"
''That," said the philosopher, relieved
"was about Maunceforth."
$50 is this,' acknowledged the girl.
"About- Maunceforth? He stared.
EYES," She looked down little guilt
lily at the tips of her patent leather
shoes.
"Bless my heart!" calculated the