WHAT ALFRED DELANEY BELDON SAID.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11397, 14 April 1899, Page 8

WHAT ALFRED DELANEY BELDON SAID.

■Four; brides :\ybo were married in June had sworn'to remain dearest friends after marriage, and also to. tell truly when they me^after their honeymoons how" they liked being married. "Oh, girls, isn't it perfectly lovely being together again1?" was what three of them cried simultaneously after all had hugged. The fourth said," Perfectly.stunning! " instead of lovely. "Now, girls," .went on.Mrs R., "remember we were to' toll/ and be honest. I will if you all will. Myrtle Rosebud—there! I can never think of you-as Mrs -Puffball—apeak up-first, because you are the youngest," "Well, said she, "it was very nice. Charlie is Jovely,' and waits on me and all that, but I do get sick to death of being a baby. I have got: so that I-can hardly speak a straight word because I am so used to pouting and babying for him. What in the world, shall. Ido if I have to"keep'"on acting"like five years old when I get to be forty?" "Now,' Moiiie Briar,-, tell us what you think,!' commanded Mrs K. ,

-Oh,-I'm all right: ..The thing _ I have noticed is that men are awful gossips." "Yfin^ aren't the_y?" breathed a relieved and delighted chorus. " Now, my John is as pleased as can be if I will'talk iiboVtt my*friends; and when I want him to talk, then," resumed Mollie, "I just start "him on.-his «lub fellows, and as for gossip, well, if I wasn't too busy thinking to,notice, much wha.t he says, I should know .the inside history of all the men we used to know. It's really disgusting—l don't mean John; He hasn't" a'bit of harm'in him, but I do hate- gossip." ; "Why," Chiivlie 'does--trie .same thing, pouted M:-s Puffball, "not to me, butto his valet,1 aud with men. when he gives dinners. He says I mustn't get mv little head full of nonsense., I only wish hewould talk to me."

"Now, girl's! I am going t° confess something, that I hoped one. of you would sneak of, since'we Wre being honest." Thus Mrs R. "Do your husbands pretend that they never- askod to •marry you ? '

A porfect yell rent the walls of the sitting room. ",I thought, so," breathed Mrs R., indignantly;, "and I will'bet it is the way with all women, Henry simply grins, and says. 'Rats.' v< It Isn't that I care, because everyone knows the race Henry had to get me"—they all' cooed fiery assurance—"'it's the impudence of him, and sometimes I actually wonder ifihe wi)J get.to believe it.':.

'They all believe it," quavered Mrs Puffball, r" Charlie laughs, pats my head—oh! it ma"kes"me so mail—and says: 'Nonsense, Mousey. I always knew you would.''.'

" John'says'l asked him," Mrs Briar spoke up in calm despair, and the horror of Mrs PiiffbaH'a insult was forgotten in the squawks of indignation aroused by this last statement.

Then someqne discovered that Sophronia hadn't told her experience. " You all have lovely husbands,'1 said she, "but mine is awful; arid it's1 a c'o'mfoi't' to $et it off my mind. As for asking me, well, I have his proposal'in. a letter. Goodness knows I didn't nret it in writing with a purpose. It happened so,, but .X am,,going, to advise every ■pirl'l

"Yes," they all interrupted,• breatnless. "Theri'ho can't'say'he didn't? ' put in Mollie.

" Can't- he?-'-' Sophrohia Beldon breathed hard. "Alfred Delancy Beldon says it's a forcery!.'.' .. < Then the meeting broke up in tears.

—■ On the Continent not only is meat sometimes coloured to make it look fresh,-:but poultry and vegetables are also treated.

A GOOD CHARACTER.

Pears' Soap lias an agreeable perfume, v beautiful appearance, and soothing properties, which commend it as the greatest luxury of the toilet. Peaes' Soap makes the hands white and fair, the complexion bright and clear, and the skip soft and smooth as velvet.