New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-19
XIV.

When HOLSTER returned that evening. almost
the first words that Claire spoke TO him were:
Congratulate ms Herbert. have taken fine
forward step at last"
"What do you mean, my dearp
81 have got to know somebody Of Importance.
have launched my ship"
soho" laughed HOLSTER. understanding. 81
hope the ship will prove seaworthy, lttls captain.
You must steer with prudent eye, remember. All
sort. of squalls will lio in wait for your canvas no
matter how we'll you trim it,"
That is lust the kind of sailing like" said
CLAIRE. I've been becalmed long enough"
He laughed at this. IN his hearty way. as though
II w.ro quite marvel OF wit. Come and tell me-"
he proposed. about tho important somebody who
has been sensible enough 10 discover you"
They were alone together in their wide. cheerful
apartment, overlooking the ocean. They we're about
10 20 down and dine and Hoster had just finished
few preparatory details OF toilet Lights had
been lit, for the rapid autumn dusk had already
thickensd into Dightial but though they could not
sec tho starlit level of waters just beyond their
windows they had sense of its nearness in the
moist, salty breeze whose tender rush made the
drawn shades bulge and sot the loose lawn curtains
1uttering buoyanty.
HOLSTER sank into chair as he spoke the last
sentence aud at the same time pot an arm about
his rife's waist, drawing her downward until she
rested upon his knee. The roses ut her bosom
brushed his face. and he thrust his head forward
with a sigh Of comic infatustion. as though raptur
ously inhahng their perfume. But his free hand
soon wandered up along the chestnut ripples OF her
hair. and he began 20 smooth them. with touch
creditaby dainty for his heavy masculine fingers.
Clare permitted his caressss. She always per-
mitted. and never returned them. He had slight
sense that this as q cody unrrciproca course; 1t
appeared to Rt In neatly enough with the general
plan of creation that he should receive homage OF
any sort without further response than it's mute
oRuition That was the way no had constantly
known her to ACT or rather not TO act change
would have surprised, perhaps even shocked him;
she would have ceased TO be his peculiar. accus-
toned Claire his revered statue would have lost
her pedestal and he had grown TO like the pedestal
for no Wiser reason than that he had always seen
IL cnthrons her,
81 will tell you all about my discoverur" Claire
said. with matter-of-fact diIectness; and she at
once began swift and succinct little narration.
aDiggs" Hollistsr suddenlv broke 10, with one OF
his fresh laughs. "Oh look here. nowi you've
made some bis mistake. She can't be ono Of your
adored swells with such name lts-its -
cacophanous, positivelyp
await. II YOU please said Claire, with demure
liberation, as though bulwsrk Of proof made this
sc.ptie assault epdurable Her husbands name,
ia tho first place, 10 not simply Digs; it's Man
haitian Dipgsn She made this announcement with
nm air of tranquil triumph but HOLSTER at once
gave an other IRE, erent laugh.
" Oh of course p he cried. q / remember, now.
know HIM. That is. l nod 20 him on the Street. now
and thea. Is he herei Why. he's nearly always
tipsy. you know"
sTipsy p repeated Clare. rising with an incred-
ulous look. "Oh, Herbert, you must be mistaken.
She woIshps him. She says that he treats ner
chaImiugly. and that they get on together Win
perfect accord"
alt would be rather strange to find two OF that
name even in such great place as New-York." said
Holster. With q slight shrus Of the shoulders. Il
don't belieys I an mistaken bit, Claire. He's
tall man. with fat yellow side-whiskers and o face
"a red as you. roses He's got lot of money. I'm
told. He goes down into the Street, and dawdos
an hour or 20 day ut his broKer's But I've never
seen him thoroughly sober yet Upon my word' 4
haven't"
Claire soon met the husband of Mrs. Diggs. 1t
was after dinner IN one Of tho spacious, modern
Amounted sitting rooms, now so often half-vscant
of occupants or sometimes wholly vacant. through
these heightened September evenings.
81 want to present my husband" said Mrs. Digs,
nreo.dina tall man with fat yellow side whiskers,
whom Hollister had before this recognized across
tine dining-room a. his own particular. chroncallY
tipsy Mr.. Diggs. beyond all possibility Of mistake
Claire had little chat with Mr. Digs. while
Hoilster, who had claimed acquzintancs and
shaken hands with hina. seated himself at tho side
of his volatile spouse.
Claire soon became bored Mr.. DIggs was plainly
tipsy, Herbert had been right. But no was most
uninterestngly tipsy. He had sense enough re-
manning TO conduct himself with sort Of haphax-
ard propriety. He necessarily stroked either ono
or the other whitaker. and kept MP psrpstuai COW
srt struggle not TO appear incchsrsnt. He was