WISE GIRLS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1033, 7 February 1882, Page 4

WISE GIRLS.

They were seated together side ly side on the sofa in the most approved lover fashion—his arms encircling her taper waist, etc. “ Lizzie, ” he said, “ you must have read my heart ere this; you must know how dearly I love you.” “ Yes, Fred, you have certainly been very attentive, ” said Lizzie. “ But Lizzie, darling, do you love me? Will you be my wife? “ Your wife, Fred ? Of all things no ! No Indeed, nor any one else’s.” “ Lizzie, what do you mean ?” “ Just what I said, Fred. I’ve two married sisters.” “ Certainly, and Mrs Hopkins and Mrs Skinner have very good husbands, I beleive.” “ So people say, but I wouldn’t like to stand in either Nell’s or May’s shoes, that’s all.” “ Lizzie, you astonish me.” Look here, Fred, I’ve had over twenty-five sleigh rides this winter, thanks to you and my other gentlemen friends.” Fred winced a little here, whether at the rememberance of that unpaid livery bill or the idea of Lizzie sleighing with her gentlemen friends I cannot answer. “ How many do you think my sisters have had ? Not a sign of one, either of them. Such pretty girls as May and Nellie were, too, and so much attention as they used to have !” “ Now’, Lizzie ” “I am fond of going to theatre occasionally, as well as a lecture or concert sometimes, and I shouldn’t like it if I proposed attending any such entertainment to be invariably told that times were hard, and my husband couldn’t afford it, and then to have him sneak off alone.” “ Lizzie, Lizzie ” “ And then, if once in a dog’s age he did condescend to go with me anywhere in the evening I shouldn’t like to be left to pick my way along the slippery places at the risk of breaking my neck, he walking along unconsciously by my side. I’m of a dependent clinging nature, and I need the protection of a strong arm.” “ Lizzie, this is all nonsense.” “ I’m the youngest of our family, and perhaps I’ve been spoiled. At all events, I know it would break my heart to have my husband vent all the ill temper which he conceals from the world on my defenceless head.” “ But, Lizzie, I promise you that “ Oh, yes, Fred, I know what you are going to say—that you will be different; but May and Nell have told me time and again that no better husbands than theirs ever lived. No, Fred ; as a lover you are just perfect, and I shall hate awfully to give yqji up. Still, if you are bent on marrying there are plenty of girls who have not married sisters, or who are not wise enough to profit by their example if their example if they have. And don’t fret about me, for I’ve no doubt I can find some one to soon fill your place ” But before Lizzie had concluded Fred made for the door, muttering something ■“ unmentionable to ears polite.” “ There ” exclaimed Lizzie, as the door closed with a bang, “ I knew he w’as no better than the rest. That’s the way John and Alcock swear and slam doors when things don’t go just right. He’d make a bear of a husband, but I’m sorry he came to the point so -soon, for he was just a splendid beau.”