New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-05
.ooxerx that either surprised or impressed the

tine Bergemanns had once confded devouty in th-ir
| She was quite alone she held o book open in her
lap but not reading it, her back dress became
her charmnqly it seemed to win richer shade ae
increase the delightful fragiIiy OF her oval, soft
| tinted face. The music below, stars kept her
| Thoughts away from her book it pealed up to her
with dulcet provocative melody; it made her feel
that she would love to go down and join the merry
makers. But this was only KIND o. ABSTRACT a emo
| decked drawing-rooms whom she would have cared
to meet with the possible exception OF MI thurs
| ton although what she then considered his adj
vanced age made hum seem moro suitable as CON-
| panion of less jubilant hours,
But il Glanced that knock presently sounded at
the haIf.cIosed door. and that Mr.. Thurston soon
| afterward presented himself. He sat down beside
her. His evening dress had felicity of cut and
o'e clairs She SHEEN thought how the white
different he was, in spite of the gray at bis temples
and the crOw'sfee under his hazel eyes, from ths
younger men clad III similar vestnre, whom she had
seen pass through the upper hall little earlier in
| BY this time Mr.. Thurston's acquaintance with
Claire naa gro TO De o ace SANTA ann s %
here alone. and he had sought her with the free
dom OF one wont to make himself wholly at home
in the mansions of his clients At the same time
1t happened, lie came with vastly fatgued feeling
toward the guests below.
social smile; "until had seen you for few mo-
ments."
"Ah,n said Claire, pleased at bis coming, and
with little sweet-toned laugh; Pm afraid you
came up here only because II was too early to 20
Mr.. Thurston put his head on one side, and his
eyes twinkled quizzically. Oh come. now" he
said :" are YOU going to talk badly about the
partyf You haven't it. Pm sure you'd like TO
be down there, dancing and romping among all
Claire shook her head; she looked rather serious
ss at a Mink SS You Encw Why There IS
nobody there-that Is. among the guests-whoml
like. Some of them I've never met But don't
doubt that they are all much the same Now, please
don't look as If you didn't understand me. ] am
sure that you do. perfectly. Remember. we have
talked on these subjects before"
MIR. Thurston stroked lis thick gray moustache,
whose ends slightly curved against cheeks which
somehow looked as If they still wore the sun-tan
at course ar e0c SaSe MISS Glare he gently er-
yOa possess We've settled that there's no trcaeh
cry TO Sophia and her mamma In all these dreadful
things that you and say; haven't WEI"
Certainly we have settled it," returned CLAIRE.
@ Sst Ss dS dTsan aGns s any aRs
truth, and yon tell 1t me- Here ClAre's ex-
preston suddenly changed. She looked at her com.
panion archiy, and each check dlmpled. " AT least
Mr. ThursIon shifted in his seat aud crossed his
en, ooppss to There's
earnestness about you. You make me think OF q
person with purpose. Pm sure You have pur-
there
have purpose" Claire said
sTo know about the world live in. mean New
York. OF course. That ls my world, now. think
it very nice world. At least, I've never seen
better one."
AYES. understand. And you want TO explore
it. You want to examine 1t IN detail. You want 10
know Its bad, worse, worst. and It's good Dstter'
best"
Il want to know its good. better. best
Mr.. Thurston laughed again. DO you know he
said that the more see OF yon the more re, you
interest. You such a tremendous type. You
are 30 characteristic. / called You person with
purpose, Just now and pretended not 70 Know what
pocrisy my part. / comprehend your purpose
thoroughly. Yon wish TO find out what New York
society means. You're making q mental social dc
tionary. And you desire that shall supply you
with definitions to the best extent OF my ability.
Isn't that truei Pray cone S;i now o." ., .ora.
There was mild yet bright spark In her dusky blue
eyes, anil faint smile on her lips.
" You say less than you mean" she answered.
think that ! guess what is behind your words.
l think that you suspect me- OF wishing to make
my dictionary from motives Of future, personal
preference That 10, you believe that j am girl
with strong ambtions-that want TO rise, thrive.
succeed. Well, you're not wrong lido want
TO rise, thrive, succeed: It's IN me- as the saying
Mir Mr.. Tburston lifted both hands and slightly
waved them. "The impulse Is enough-with you'"
Claire started. @what do you meant" she
asked.
"
then raised his eyes. They dwelt or Claires very
forcefully.
al mean.p he said. that you are 100 beautiful
and charming not 10 gain your object" 49,,
Claire laughed, lightly and yet q little con- |
sciously. @That is very kind Of you. IL u Young
man had only said it How delighted l would
have bsen!"
"Then you think me 30 very old" Thurston |
replied. watching her face with iintentness.
oh, no" Claire at oJce said. growing serious |
again Not that 81 t sSarss 70 Sss ss
Perhaps am younger than you think" he said. |
with low, eculi ar emphasis on each word Mind. |
only say perhaps' =. But do not Let us talk |
of that. AS told You, am sure you will gain |
find higher level than these poor. Bergemanns;
There is restless fire in your soul that will goad
you on And IN the end you must vim"
"Tell me by what means, please"
Wharfage win 10 your first stepping stone.'
To wbati"
Success in what formin
Social success. ! assume that your aim lies
grade to pay you courtesy and Difference"
Claire seemed to muse for brief time. 9 Yes,
I do" she then said. You quite right. But |
yon speak Of my gaining All this By marriage How
shall i meet the man who Is to lend mo such I'M
pOrtant helpf"
There was q daring candor about this question-a
OF woridlness la fact which startled her
bearer But his usual gravity betrayed no signs Of
dismay
@You will meet him." he said, TRANQUILITY "Oh,
yes you will meet him. IL rs your fate. He Will
drop 10 you from the skies Bnt after you have
secured, through matrimvny. this desired end. will
you be contented with what you have secured So
much depends on that-the success Of your SUCCESS,
rs ono might say"
CLAIRE raised her brows In demure perplcxity. al
don't understand" she nurmured
Thurston slowly shook his head, smile was on
his lips but it held sadness, and hint OF pity as
well. III read you rightly" he answered, you
iciU understand. some day"
Claire made an impatient gesture "Please don't
talk In Riddles" she exclaimed. ado Won mean
that the prize will turn out worthless after have
got 1t! have not found this trne in my reading
have not fonnd many kings or queens who
Mcaried 80 mich of their fhrnnea that Iher xrere |