Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-05-19
OVERDONE
AFFECTION.


rearranged the flowers in the brass
bowl because she realized what a
charming picture of domesticity she
made while doing so.
1T is perfectly dreadful" she
said, "the way Clara nags that poor
man since they are married."
Does she?" asked the young man
who was sitting admiring her grace
full motions. Il thought she was
uncommonly fond Of Charlie"
The young woman in the frilly
white gown paused abruptly with
rose in one hand. "Oh, she Isl" she
cried. That's just the trouble! She
can't bear to have him out of her
sight. If he is five minutes late to
dinner she puts him through a regu-
lar catechism. I don't see how he
stands it'll"
Maybe he doesn't mind" suggest
ed the yorng man.
The young woman cast reproach-
full look at him.
''Mind?" she cried. ''Of course
he minds! Wouldn't you mind If l
fused at you and wanted you to &C
count for every breath you drew?
Wouldn't your And I'm only en-
g-ged to you'll"
"It wouldn't be very nice," admit
ted the young man. But then, you
know, you are somewhat different
from Clara"
II should hope so," calculated the
young woman, leaving the roses be-
fore they were quite out, and sitting
down.
Why" she went on. "that's just
the way to kill all love Clara's hus-
band may have for her! Not to trust
him! 1 should think he would feel
actually indignant! He came home
one night and found her in tears be-
cause she had been making a sched-
ule Of everything he had done the
previous day, and 10 minutes were
unaccounted for. She was certain
he had been talking to some one
whom he didn't want her to know
about? Why, If I couldn't trust
man couldn't care for him."
"Of course not" agreed the young
man. Tn mighty glad you don't
try to keep track of me that way!"
The young woman eyed him
thoughtfully. Il don't like the
hearty tone Of voice in which you
said that" she remarked. "It was
just as though you were thankful
you had escaped detection? Are you
concealing something from me?"
"Nonsense!" laughed the young
man.
But are your" insisted the young
woman. Sometimes I wonder II it
could be possible-not that haven't
perfect confidence in you. Arthur
but one does get to thinking occa-
sionally, and sometimes wonder If
you tell me everything"
"Of course not" said the young
man, placidly. YOU'D be bored to
death. if 1 recounted all my business
dealings or If every time I met any
one on the street."
"Girls, you meant"
sometimes" said the young man.
II suppose as long the the earth
continues to be populated by men
and women I shall keep on seeing
girls when walk abroad.
You ought to tell me when you
do," said the young woman, decisive
ly. Whom did you meet yester-
day?"
The young man frowned. "How
on earth can I remsmber?" he in
Quired. "How foolishi-"
ut isn't foolish in the least" said
the young woman. Indignantly. "The
mere fact that you don't want to tell
me shows"
'Pm perfectly willing to tell you."
Interrupted the young man. "only !
can't remember"
: Arthur" said the young woman,
II never thought I should doubt
your word! You might as well con-
fess who it was. Tell me all about
it,"
There's nothing to tell"
you may treat this dippantly If
you WISH" said the young woman.
"but it is no trihing matter. What
time were you on the street and"
'At exactly 3.15," said the young
man, ''going from the oface to an
other Office, and I'll be hanged"
IF you can remember that much
you can remember the GIRL" insist
ed the young woman. who was
she and what did she say?"
The young man was walking up
and down. II met the stenograph-
er in the Office above" he said, land
l also ran into Sally Singather, whom
you don't know in the least, but
whose father Is broker next door
And don't see why I should have
tc repeat everything like a silly
schoolboy."
II never heard about Sally Sing
ather," said the young woman. ag-
grievedly. "You needn't say / nag.
for I don't. It's just legitimate
curiosity! Is she pretty?"
YES" said the young man.
What did she say?" demanded
the young woman. leaning forward
breathlesSly.
The young man paused before her
and stood gazing down.
ITO the best Of my recollection"
he replied, Sally said: Good after
noon. Mr.. Rockmore. Isn't 1t a
lovely day?' That's all. Now, are
you satisfed?"
The youny woman in the white
gown looked rather non-plussed
Then suddenly her face grew deter
mined again.
"Of course, that wasn't anything
t., say" she remarked. "But-you
haven't told me a word about the
tone of voice she said 1t in! That
makes a difference! Now, Arthur.
you've Just got to tell mel"
Surely the Limit.
81