Fin-de-Slecle Love-making.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 50

Fin-de-Slecle Love-making.

Love has always been rather dainty in the selection of trystmg places. In t'te country it has been an old bridge, or a winding lane, or a daisy-flecked meadow, or the banks of a millpond, on'whose bosom water lilies slumbered, intoxicated with their own perfume ; while in town, a deserted drawing room, or a quiet corner in the park, or an abandoned nook in a picture gallery, or a secluded portion of a conservatory, sheltered by drooping palms and perfumed with the breath of heliotrope and jessamine, have hitbeito served to shield these tender buds of passion from the cold and unsympathetic stare of the outside world. But now the rheumat : c country lane is replaced by the cosy supper table, and the comfortless stile or earwiggy bower by two chairs in close proximity, and with two hearts beating as one for soup, entrees, and sweets. Love is told in Chateau Yquem and champagne, and fond hearts are pledged in Benedictine.

"There's a heavenly spread," whispers he — that glorious He — to Her. "Let's get in to it before the crush." Tom had made choice of an excellent coign of vantage. Everything seems to ba within reach of those long arms of his. " Sha'l we commence with clear turtle, dearest ? " he cooed. " Yes, darling. Oh thanks ; you are always so thoughtful, dear Tom." "And now what do you say to some of those delicious plovers' eggs, pet child ? " murmured Tom. " Quite to my taste, d^ar love; I do so dote on them. They make me feel so strong and selfre'iant, just as I feel when you clasp me in your gri at, stout arms, d< ar Tom." Tom's mouth was too full for uttfrai.ee.

" Wasn't that lob.ster salad good, darling ? " emeries the fair odl 1 , with a delicious drawl in her voice, and just soupgon of a vxoue. "To t\\-. Queen's taste, my .sweet baby. Let me give you a tiny morsel more of it. There, you precious darling, eat that and thiuk of me." "Oh, I love you so I could eat you, too, you big, handsome boy," gurgles Rose. " Oh, I would like to bite you." "Look, darlfng," exclaimed Tom, in a suppressed tone of de«

light ; "see what they are bringing in — chicken croquettes with asparagus." " Chicken croquettes ! " repeated the fair Rose ia a tonn of de=pest fervour. " Oh, dear love, just help me to two. It is such a divine dish, it fairly lifts mo up from the earth end suspends me in a wor.d of exquisite satisfaction." |?A deep silence settled upon the pair. At last Rose spoke, fixing her heavenly blue eyes upon Tom's coal black orbs. "Do you know, my sweet boy, that I love to have you feed me ? " Again Tom was t jo full for utterance. " As you handed me tbis, it seemed to me th»t I was a tiny fledgeling in a warm, fleecy nest, swung on a waving bough, and that I opened my little pink beak at the sound of your dear voice." "Darling," interrupted Tom, "I know you adore ices with biscuits, and wine jelly on the side. Let mo help you, sweet baby?" "Oh, duar love," sighed the fair Rose, "you are so very thoughtful. Yes, I do adore sweets, I like to revel in them. Reach those cakes, Tom, please, and that candied fruit. Sweets are so delightful after anything hearty ; just as your kisses always seem to me when you walk home with me after church. I don't caro how long the services are when jou are wijbh me, dear boy, for I can sit and think of the reward in store for me."