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

One afternoon Claire. leaning back in commodi-
Gus sleigh and muied 10 the throat IN furry robes,
stopped at Mrs. Diggs's house, and the two ladies
were driven together into the Park. Ii Was per-
feet afternoon of its KIND. There was no wind
showed itself IN the banks of powdery snow skirt
ing either edge Of the streets or in those pure un-
aPs which clad the Park
against a sky of steely blueness. Claire was IN
high spirits; her laugh had ring as clear as the
weather Mrs. Digs shiysred under the protective
meant for this sort of thing" she said, at length
We've gone far enough, haven't we, Claire : It's
nearly dark, too"
This was a most glaring fallacy. coined by the
desperation of poor Mrs. Diggss discomfort But
the chilly light was growing blue gloom above
the massed housetops, when the two ladies found
themselves at Claire's door.
1t had been arranged that they should dine quiet
ly together that evening. HOLSTER would not be
Diggs had been complaining of late, that she never
had moment of privacy with her friend. Claire
bad agreed, three days ago. to disappoint for one
night all who were seeking her society. We shall
have cosey dinner" she had said. " of just You
and me. We will chat of everything-past, present
and future"
Mrs Dlggs recalled that word 'cosey' as she en-
tered ClaIre's proud dinlng-room, with Its lofty
arched ceiling where little stars of gold cleaned
from dark interspaces between massive rafters OF
walnut. She croucned on soft rug beside the
deep, large fireplace, in which great logs were
blazing. Aud while she basked IN the pleasant
glow. her eve wandered about the grave grandeurs
of the noble room, scanning its dusky traits of
wainscoat, tapestry, tropic plants costly PIC
lures for all was in sombre shadow except the
Redeemed hearth and the small central table, on
whose white cloth two great clusters OF wax lights
bad been set, stealing their colors from group OF
flowers, and Its clean sparkle flom the glas, and
silver The whole table was IKE spot oil Ilght
amid the stately dimness.
Really very splendid indeed, Claire" said Mrs.
Digs in sort OF ruminatlvc ellpss, letting her
eve presently rest on the tips of her own upheld
fingers, which the freight had turned into that
milky PINK that we often sec float through opals.
But L really think | liked the little basement
house better. take II all IN all.
Odd You y murmured Claire. who was standing
her. enjoying the warmth but not bathing ID IL
like her hali-frozen friend Il didn't"
very impressive butler soon glded into the
room, and told Madame in French that she was
served. Mrs. Diggs scrambled to her ieet tho
majesty of the butler had something TO do with her
speed in performing thus act, though hunger was
perhaps concerned IN IL.
/" That dreadful selgh-ride has left mo my appe-
ttev she said while seating herself opposite Claire,
" 40 | see II hasn't quite killed me- 80
Z" think you Will survive IT," SAID Clare Win
of her little musical laughs.
There was not much talk between the two TRENDS
while dinner lasted. and what there was took
drsuitoTy and aimless turn. The butter walled
iautlessly: there were eight courses Clare had
SAID that il would be very plain dluner, aud Mrs
Digs secretly smiled she remembered the words.
Tue cooking was perfect; 1t had all oil what the
qoumets would call Partisan sentiment, though no
undue richness. Claire ate sparingly yet with APP
parent relish She drank little champagne, winch
she had poured into goblet and mixed with water.
There were other wines. but she toucned none OF
them. Mrs. Diggs did, however. slipping three or
four until she lost her chaky wanness OF tint and
almost got touch oil actual color. . .
81 never take but one WINE. as rule she sald,
." and that's claret. But the selgh-rldG chilled me
so TO the bone. begin To feel quite,warm ana com
Portable now. Do you always take champagne,
Claire !"
TO touch yonr lips to, now and then, when you SIT
through those very long dinners. suppose the
DUNES. OF certain society originally drove me
n,fI vervT
What an air she said that With thought Mrs
Digs. And four months ago, at Coney Island,
she was unknown. unnouced.'
The whole Tcpast was exquisite. WINE III iasleu
Claire never once spoke to the butler. lie needed
no orders; everything was done as well ana az
silently as i could be done In ms way ne was an
irIsproachablc artist like the invisible chez below
stars. who had evoked this blameless dinner from
the chaos OF the uuCooked. 49,
Just at the end of dessert Claire said to her guest
"Shall Won take cofeef" "Oh, dear, no." replied
Mrs. Diggs. Il don't even dare. Im nervous
enough as II 49,. ,, =.
her IN a tiny cup. as tain rs r0sc-eat. Presently
the two friends became aware that they were alone.
The butler had gone without seeming TO 60 Like
a mysterious TerOir. he had lett behind MN Two
crystal finger bowls with slim slice OF lemon ilOat-
ing IN each. Claire had finished her coffee. Sno
rose and leaned toward the howofs III the centre Oh
the table. As her fingers played among them tbey
seemed TO break, almost OF their own accord, INTO
two separate lunches. She went round TO MIS-
DIggs and gave her of these rot aiming the DINER
Presently each had made for herself an lmpr0mpbu
corsage Mrs. Diggs had not spoken for several MN
uies; she had indeed been abnormally quiet ever
since the buffers departure. The calm graceful
.plcndor of IT all had awed her. IL had such q I'M
ish such choIceneSs. such gentle dignity OF exc
culon. A.. o., o.,,o, C,a,ro M 10
Cether they moved from the table; "Or would you
prefer one of the DRAWN -r0Ousf" -,
The fire il 81 lovely" said Mrs. Diggs. Let's
SIT here" She dropped into chair as she SPOKE.
Claire also seated herself not far from the hre
though a little distance away from her friend,
Suddenly the ilood-gates OF Mrs. DgsSs entnus u.
asm burst OPEN She had considerable silence to
make up for. "Oh, Claire" she exclaimed. lts
just perfect! don't see how you do 1t! l don't see
where on earth you got the experience iIoihI II
had seven times your money Icouldnt Degn 10
have my household machinery move In thls ue-
iIghtfuI, well-oiled way. My servants would steal
my chcf would get drunk my %lSn'ncsn0o "0"iu
Clare laughed. e I'm very composed about IL
ALL" she said. :" keep quite cool; IKE IT, 700.
There is a great deal in that. ldon't mean manage;
ment so much AS the supsrintcndcnce OF others
management. Pm a sort OF born oyeIseer"
born radsr Mrs D HS b wTs c lSOSh
you are leadingl How you've carried your point;
Glare observe you. and absolutely marvel
/ can't realize that you are really ana tIuIs
my Coney Island Clare. don't you Know louye
slot up So You're mighty It's like dream"
Its a very pleasant dream n,,
She said this archly and mirthluliy. but Mrs'
Dlggs on q sudden became solemn
''Claire," she went on, "you remember wnat T., .
told YOU in our little confab the other day. at the
Lauderdales' reception It's true, my dear. loute
like person at a gambling-table who begins to
play for pasiime and ends by playing Tor greed.
You know dote you. and you know never
choose my words when Pm in downright earnest
Your love for pomp and luxury ms dear, is pecom,
ing a vice. Yes an actual vice. you uoh taso
your trlumphs moderately, as You do your chai n
pagne-apd-water. You drink deep Of them, ana lot
them fly to your head. Oh, eau see well enough.
Aud | tremble for you. tremDe' Clare' De-
cause
"Wellf Because T. - A.
She put these questions with smile, rs MIS-
Diggs paused. But il was a smile OF the lips only'
?Oh' because affairs might change IN a day. al
mosr an hour You know Just what vast risks your
husband constantly runs. You know what m'S"'
happen"
Claire rose at this. Her repose was gone; her
ponant excItabiIty had seemed abruptly TO return.
She did not appear in the least angry; Mrs; Dlggs
l-.aL- ala Ind u