Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1903 — A Lesson in Flirtation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Lesson in Flirtation

RS. BOVRIL was at home—not JpVIII to all the world, but to the seleet few who happened to interest her in that particular year of grace. There were no old friends among them. Mrs. Rovrill had few old friends, and she did not encourage them. She used to say they were like old Servants, and became impudent as time went on. Besides, she liked a change, and the men well, it only took an intelligent man three weeks to find her out. Tliere were usually about four women in the room, and they were carefully chosen for their Ugliness and patient dispositions. Every one said she hired them to irritate the men ami increase tlielr longing to escape to her aide. It was certainly an understood thing at Mrs. Bovril’s that only one man was to sit by her at a time. She gave each one his,turn, if he deserved It, and expected him lo serve his seven years cheerfully in another corner of the room. That they were content to do this is a proof of the wonderful fascination she exercised over her admirers. To-day, however, the young men rubbed their eyes and stared. What was Mrs. Bovril thinking of? Tliere was a young and beautiful woman languidly sipping tea on Mrs. Bovril's own particular sofa; siie must have got in by accident, or foree, or guile. Their 1 hostess would never have been so foolish as to ask a possible rival. They were mistaken, however. She had been the subject of a special invitation. The fact was Mrs. l’aunceforte Deane was tliere to learn. She had not long been married, and had lived

vn the country all her life. Mrs. Bovrli had taken pity ou her Ignorance, and had asked her round to show her how things ought to be done. “My dear," she had said some days! previously, “you reully must have some admirers." “I have my husband,” Mrs. Deane had replied with provoking innocence. “Your husband? Vos, of course. So hare I. But if your husband is the tenly man who is going to admire you, you will soon lose your attractiveness In his eyes. Men like their wives to he run after. It gives them the pride of possession. They like to think that they have got what other men are longing for?" ) “And what other men may take from them. Is it not rather dangerous, Mrs. Bovrll ?” “llow seriously you take everything, child The ■re is no harm." “Not tn playing with tire?” “Fire? Fiddlesticks! Come round an Tuesday. 1 have a few people in. Too will like them, I expect. They are rather different to the ordinary people, and 1 don't want all of them for myself." Mrs. Deane had laughed. But she wm u girl, -ami liked something new*, •o she came round. Mrs. Bovrll was kind, gave her the second best man and the best seat, •nd told all the others how charming •tie was. “Fresh from tin* country, vou know, Aigy.” she murmured, ‘where all the beautiful cows are, and buttercups aud things. Isu't site lovely?" Algy was fool enough to say “Yes,” no he .was packed oIT before his time was up, and he made tilings so unpleasant all round the other side of tha room that tin* people dropped off aaa by one, aud soon Mrs. Bovrll and Mrs. Deane were left alone. “Well, my dear," said Mrs. Bovrll, when Algy, who had staid to see all tha others driven out, had goue, “how have you been getting on?" “I don’t think my husband will have aay cause to lie jealous," Mrs. Deane npllcd. leaning back In a more comtertablo position than she had hitherto •Bowed herself. “Dear me. how unfortunate you are. Too don't know how to treat them, yon silly child. Yon should have wstrhed me. A lot can be done in that way. I suppose you talked about “haoks, and the theaters, and bicycles, aad all those sort of things,” and Mrs. Bovrll smiled contemptuously. “What else should I talk about—to strangers?” replied the pupil rather •wearily, forf-fo say the truth; Mrs. Bovril’s second best young man had aot been Interested in anything. Mrs. Bovrll laughed. “You absurd creature. Do you tliluk that sort of eaarersation Interests them? They are aaly interested in you - and themselves. Tom must be more personal. Discuss She character of men and women. A M can be done with that. You soon Brift round to your own natures and dispositions, and on that topic you can become intimate In fifteen minutes. Then you should hint at domestic sor-

rows. There is nothing a young man Ilkes so much in a married woman as domestic sorrows.” “But I haven't any,” >Jrs. Deane said, pulling a rose to pieces and dropping the leaves into a teacup. “Of course not. But It is so easy to suggest some. I believe Algy Dawson thinks that Mr. Bovrll boats me.” “Did you tell liiiy so?” cried Mrs. Deane in disgust. "Xo, you goose, but I always look extremely sad, and then brighten up when lie 'comes and sits by me. It makes him think lie is the one bright spot in my dark and desohtte life. Of course he likes to think that.” And Mrs. Bovrll laughed till she split some ten; over her new frock. * “How insincere you people of the city are,” said Mrs. Deane, with a demure look on her face. Then a mischievous light flashed into her eyes and she cried, "What fun!” •'Yes, dear. You see what you have missed in the country; but, as I say, you can learn-a lot from me." “Do teach me, Mrs. Bovrll.” the girl said eagerly. “I think—l think 1 should lie a good pupil.” “A great deal rests with yourself, of course,” replied Mrs. Bovrll. Mrs. Deane turned her head a little, just a little, towards the mirror, and smiled. "Just a few hints, though,"she pleaded; “They would be acceptable. You have lmd such experience.” “I can only repeat what I have said. Be personal. Personalities are the only proper topics of conversation between a man and a woman. You cannot be too personal. It Is better even to be rude than to talk about bicycles.” “Please go ou,” cried Mrs. Deane, clasping her knees with her hands and leaning forward. “Well, you can talk about other men -if you like. Xot in terms of abuse—that is inartistic- but as if they didn’t matter. It institutes pleasant mental comparisons in the man's mind. It is only verbal comparisons that are odious.”

Mrs. Deane jumped up. “I must go, Mrs. Bovrll. I could listen to you all day. O, you are clever. Iljit isn’t it all just—just a little wrong?” Mrs. Bovrll rose too aud kissed her. “Silly child, do you think any of us are deceived?” “Might not those who did not know ” Mrs. Deane said demurely. “Young, inexperienced people; might they not be deceived, and—and ” “They soon learn, dear," Mrs. Bovrll sighed, and looked away. Mrs. Deane wondered how she had learned, and if the lesson had been a pleasant one. “Good-by, Mrs. Bovrll, and thank you so much. I have half a mind to trysome day.” Aud she laughed round the corner of the door and was gone.

A month afterwards Mrs. Pauneeforte Deane found Mrs. Bovril alone in her drawing room—her “schoolroom,” Mrs. Deane always called it. After a few greetings Mrs. Bovril came to the point. "Has it been a success, dear?” she cried. Mrs. Deane nodded, and gave a smile suspiciously like one of triumph. “Sit down, dear, and tell me all about It.” Mrs. Bovril smiled encouragingly and began to pour out some tea. "Well, first of all, who is he?" Mrs. Deane blushed. “O, I don't think I ought to tell you that. He he is married, and it might——” "Well, well, it doesn’t matter,” she replied, sharply. "All men are the same. You are young yet, and will soon get over that feeling. I don't understand it myself, and you and 1 are also married for that matter.” Mrs. Deane looked relieved. "I was afraid you would be vexed,” site said, “would think I had perhaps gone too far. I am so glad you don't see any harm in it.” “Is he sufficiently fascinating?” Mrs. Bovrll asked. “That is the thing. That, in fact, is the only excuse.” “He is one of the most charming men I have ever met,” replied Mrs. Deane with fervor. Then she looked ou the floor and spoke more slowly, "So strong, so self-reliant, and, poor man, so unhappy.” "In his wife, I suppose. Of course! don’t you remember what I told you?” Tliere was a slight sueer on Mrs. Bovril's face.

“Yes, I remember,” she replied. “I have profited by It. After what you told me no man could deceive me. But lie I am sure he is speaking the truth. There!” and she drew herself up defiantly. “Of course, dear, of course," Mrs. Bovril said soothingly, and laughed behind her handkerchief. “Ills wife neglects him flirts with other men,” Mrs. Deane went on in (llgnantly. "I know she does.” “Of course, dear. They all do. Didn’t I tell you so?” “But It is different in tills ease;” “Why? I don’t suppose she means anything, any more than you or I do." "He thinks sin* does," Mrs. Deane blurted out, “so it's just as bad -»for him.” Mrs. Bovrll laughed softly. “For him? Whose fault is that? But I won’t destroy your illusions. You are young, and I suppose you want some excuse." "Not for my conduct. lam merely—merely doing what you have taught me. It Is all in fun.” “But for him. You want an excuso for hla conduct. Is he so much in eara-

est?” Mrs. Bovrll began to be sorry for the man and a bit ashamed of her own share In the matter. She recovered, however. “You sweet, Innocent thing,” she continued, “you will soon learn that nothing is ever done In earnest.” • Mrs. Deane rose and smiled. “Perhaps,” she said sweetly, “perhaps I may some day attain to your position, Mrs. llovril. As yet I am too young. I am sorry for the harm I have done.” “You ridiculous child, you have done no harm. Must you be going? Goodby, dear. lie will get over It. I am rather proud of my pupil’s success. Is lie really so much In earnest. Poor fellow—pooh! It will do him good!” Mrs. Deane moved towards the door. “I think,” she said quietly, “that Mr. Bovrll Is one of the best hearted, most ——” Mrs. Bovrll rose and knocked down a plate. “Mrs. Pauneeforte Deane!” ■she said with some dignity. “O, Mrs. Bovrll, I am so sorry." There was a sly twinkle, in her eye all the same. “I thought you said tliere was no harm. I didn’t think you would mind. Your pupils must practice, you know. It was only in fun—ah, I see h all now.” “What do you see,” Mrs. Bovril said sharply. “That one can look at it from quite another point of view.” As a matter of fact, Bovrll said that he had never even met Mrs. I’aunceforte Deane, and I am not quite sure that the poor man was not speaking the truth. He ought, however, to be thankful to her. Mrs. Bovrll does not give lessons in flirtation now.—Chicago Tribune.

"YOU REALLY MUST HAVE SOME ADMIRERS."