Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-04-10
WHO'S YOUR FRIEND?

WHO'S YOUR FRIEND?
Lord BERTHE Ellesmere walked into his
wife's sitting room one afternoon, with
an unusually serious expression on his
face For Lord BERTHE was a young man
of cheerful disposition, not given to Sc
rioas thought. He found Lady BERTHE in
her room, engaged in the absorbing oc.
cupation of looking in the glass. She did
not turn when he entered, but continued
to study the dimples in her chin. She
had been recognized beauty when she
married. and still held that position
therefore she must be forgiven for con-
tinuing to look in the glass without apOl
ogy, whether her husband or any one else
entered the room. Act eSSeS do hot apol-
ogize for settling their ruffies and study
ing the effect of their makeup" in the
green room mirror all the while they car
~ on conversation: why, then, should
society beauty watch her own face while
she talks? 1t is but matter of busines,
in both cases.
Lord and Lady BERTHE had been mar
ried two years. and they were still excel
lent friends. No jealousy or misunder
standing bad, so far, marred their content
with each other.
Lord BERTHE sat down and looked at
tentively for moment at his wife's back
1t was an exceedingly pretty back. but its
prettinesS did not occupy his mind at
this moment.
May" he said suddenly, and in grave
voice, lis there anything you want?"
Anything | want?' exclaimed Lady
BERTHE. well, should think 80. want
new idea for ball dress; want an
Esquimaux dog; want my diamonds re-
set; want to go to st. Petersburg this
winter; WANT can't think of them all
now, but l want hundred things!"
DO you want money!"
Money? Not particularly at the mo-
ment; but if you are overburdened with
bank notes, l feel sure l can use them."
Don't talk nonsense, May; I'm in earn
est. And do wish you'd turn round"
I'm busy" replied Lady BERTHE. And
so, indeed, she was. She was applying
with the greatest care and skill minute
patch of sticking plaster to a tiny defect
which she had discovered on her chin.
Fancy you being in earnest~ she went
on. What can it be abOut?"
MAY, have you been gambling?" asked
Lord BERTHE abruptly.
blinrp 7 aHu Portia
tainly not! Why, should have hollows
under my eyes in fortnight! What can
have put such an idea into your head?"
I'll tell you,' said Lord BERTHE. Just
now, for the second time, l have seen a
dreadful looking Jew with any quantity
of gold watch chain over an immense
waistcoat, going out of this house. Now,
what on earth can you want with Jew,
if it isn't to borrow money!"
''Dear mes7 said Lady BERTHE, with
scorn, what poverty-stricken imagina
tion yours must bel One might want a
great many things of Jew, | should
think. Jews are very clever people"
Don't you mean to tell me what that
man comes to see you for?" asked Lord
BERTHE in gloomy tone.
"No~' said Lady BERTHE, airily, but with
much decision; mo, don't. Now" she
added, turning around at last, "am l look
ing well to-day?"
"You are getting handsomer, 1 be-
lieve," Lord BERTHE, but in the same
gloomy tone.
I'm very glad you think sol' exclaimed
Lady BERTHE, with fervor. That's all
right, then" And she left the mirror and
70 ahoi
She was exceedingly graceful and could
sit down in an artistic manner worthy of
the great Sarah. she formed lovely
picture, in her white wrapper that was
little more than cloud of Valenciennes,
as she posed herself in her favorite
lounge and crossed her pretty pink-slip
pered feet. Lord BERTHE had thrown
himself into an easy but hardly graceful
attitude-his legs outstretched and his
heels on the ground, his hands in his
trousers pockets. Sitting thus he eyed
his beautiful wife all over with defect
ed and perplexed air.
Its not all right" he said after a mo-
ment Il hate mysteries. We've kept
clear of them so far, May. If you won't
clear this one up I'll cut it short by tell
ing the servants that Jew is not to enter
the house."
''Oh. dor said Lady BERTHE; that will
make such nice little scandal for the
servants hall! And by tomorrow it will
be half over town."
"Well, don't want to make fool of
myself, and I'm sure I've no desire that
you should be talked about; but l can't
stand this state of things"
''In fact, you are dying of curiosity p
''Not at all. But if you are in diffiul
ties I'm ready to get you out of them.
There's my hand on it, May; and all l ask
is, don't go to anybody else"
what dear boy. you are" said Lady
BERTHE "But there's nothing to be so Sc
rious about, assure you. Pm not going
to tell you why my friend comes here, or
what my business is with him; because
that wo'd be countenancing absurd tyran
nv on your part, which | don't mean to
do"
Don't answer me like that, May, l
can't stand it. The light comedy manner
isn't always appropriate. I'm in earnest,
and you have done nothing but chaff me
since came in."
VERY well, I'll drop into melodrama.
Wild horses won't drag my secret from
me; you may take my life, but / will not
speak! Now must dress to go out; so
g ood bye"
She rose went away to her dressing