New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-02

She uttered that last sentence with mock
ferceness that ended in laughter. But she could
not hide from her friend the intense SERIOUSNESS
from which these expressions had sprung,
Before Mrs. Uggs could answer, servant en-
tered the room by Of the draped doorways lead
ing into the salons beyond. He was not the butler.
who had so admirably served them at dinner. but
iootman, charged with other special offices. he
handed CLAIRE card. which she read and tosse1
aside The next moment she dismissed him py
slight motion OF the hand
Let me see that card" said Mrs. Diggs. Has
anybody called whom know
Clare was looking straight into the tumbled,
lurd logs of the hearth.
Yes, you know him, of course" she said. " 1t
was only Stuart Goodwin. l am not at nome TO-
orders"
A silence ensued. Mrs. Diggs presently made one
OF hor pIunges. Claire; they say that GOODWIN Is
She gave sharp turn Of tho neck, fixing her eyes
on her friends face THAT is all they say, hope.
They can't say-well, you understand what they
can NOT say"
THAT Won care for himf Well.no You'll have
been very discreet You have arranged wonder
fully. Very few women could nave done IL Win
Claire threw back her head. with, naughty,
feenng smile. ANY woman could saa nave oon0 IL
who felt safe-bcrfectly safe, as feel"
"You mean that this grand Goodwin, who sways
the stock-market, can't quicken your pulse oS ono
degree" ar n,
not say that meant that But | do. II you
choose to ask me point blank. were very g?oa
He 1 s.n tell ane sy 'n. s
what would happen II he did,
She was staring at the fire again. Its lustres
played upon the sken folds OF her Dress, and made
the gold glimmers start and fade in her chestnut
hair.
MR.. Digs was not reclining in her chair; she
was leaning sideways, with both black eyes rVeted
on Claires half-averted face.
claire" she SAID, Pm awfully glad to hear
you say that. 1t makes me like you better. II sucn
a thing were possible. Upon my word, to be frank.
in the most friendly way, did think there was
littlo danger don't you know, of :. We'll you've
settled all doubts, of conrse But then, my dear,
you never were enormously fond OF HOLSTER lou
let him adore you dou't you known On, rye seen
it all. There's no use in getting angry"
Pm not angry said Clare she she was a. aga,u
booted foot the low gilt trellis which rose pc
tween the rug and the hearthstone " We seem TO
drift upon very unpleasant subjects this evening"
she continued 81 am afraid our little intimate re-
union not going to be success"
You are angryl" exclaimed Mrs. Digs. re.
proachfully. You've changed. Clare. You're not
the same to me as yon were before you pee becamo
great lady Now, don't deny It,. You feel your
cats as my dear Manhattan would say. You keep
Here Mrs. Digs paused, for the same footman
who had before appeared now made second
entrance. This time he handed Clare mote mote
| and at once softly vanished.
Pardon me-" said Claire as SHE tore open the
| envelope Mrs. Diggs watched her while she read
the contents of the note. Her perusal took some
time She read the three written pages once, twice,
thrice Her face had grown very grave Ill the mean
| while. &,
| suddenly she crumped the note in one hand. and
flung 1t into the fire. Her eyes flashed and her lip
| ulyered as she did SO.
For Heavens sake. Claire" appealed her friend
what is the matter | suppose Cnrneha or SYLVIA
Lee sends a regret for luncheon. You.are so foolish
| to mind what they do! You recoliect what l used
| to tell you about COrnea. But why should you
| mind her airs aud caprCcs nOwf You are utterly
| above her-or rather, you have shown her that TWO
can reign in the same kingdom. You could Gu,
| her dead with perfect impunlty That's GOOD
| deal to say, don't you know, but you positively
mo. no.v said Claire, with clouded face and a
little wave of the hand. " IL has nothing to do with
either of those women. 1t is "here sho paused. and
her breath came quick 1t Is from beverley
| ThurstOn" nj .u,,. -.
Beverley" exclaimed Mrs. Diggs. WY mes
lie got back yesterday. He has learned about
me- | suppose his sister has told him. ana ne
| WRITES To me IN tone Of impertinence. Yes. It's
| nothing else. lie writes to me as il l were some
| sinful creature. He presumes to be sorry for me.
| He says that he will pay visit II can spare
| him an hour from the gitdy life am leading -.
| don't remember the exact words he uses; IL Is not
| so much what he writes as what he seems 10 write
| The whole note brea hes of patronage and commls.
Grafton To me think of i'll What right has he !
| What right did ever give him ~ ..u,,
| Mrs Diggs started up from her chair, Why my
| dear Claire" she sald you are greatly excited "
| am tniserablelD cried Claire. she almost stag
gered toward Mrs. Digs, and flung both arms
about her friends neck am miseraole-alse at
/ tears. She leaned her proud young head on Mrs.
Dggs's bony shoulder, beginning to sob quite
| wildly. do deserve reproachesf Have | been
| SO wrong7 What evil have | douef Let my con-
science trouble it 1t will, but he is not my con-
science How dare he reproach met" ,
violent seizure of SOUS made Clare incapable OF
| further speech Mrs. Dggs let the clinging arms
| clasp her. She did not know what to answer; she
| scarcely knew what TO think. She only telt at
| that une pec.ed moment that she loved care
| yery much and would always stay her stanch
| friend, 10 matter what bitter Ill might oyertake
| her. .
To be Continued