The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-04-04
SELECT STORY.
WHO'S YOUR FRIEND 2


with an unusually serious expression
on his face. For Lord Berthe was a
young man of cheerful disposition,
not given to serious thoughts. He
found Lady BERTHE in her room, en-
crossed in the absorbing occupation 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 posi-
ton therefore she must be forgiven
for continuing to look in the glass
without apology, whether her husband
or any one else entered the room. Ac-
tresses do not apologize for settling
their rufles and studying the effect Of
their ''make up" in the green room
mirror all the while they carry on a
conversation why, then, should not a
society beauty watch her own face
while she talksl 1t is but a matter
of business in both cases.
Lord and Lady BERTHE had been
married two years, and they were still
excellent friends. No jealously OF
misunderstanding had, 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 a
grave voice, sis there anything you
want =
Anything want!' exclaimed Lady
BERTHE "Well, l should think so
want an Esquimaux dog; want my
diamonds reset; l want to go to St
Peters! urg this winter; l want
can't think of them all now, but wan,
hundred thingsl"
"Do you want money!"
money!" Not particularly at the
moment but if you are over-burdened
with bank notes, l feel sure / can use
them"
"Don't talk nonsense, May: I'm il
earnest. And do wish you'd turr
round"
Wm busy" replied Lady BERTHE
And so, indeed, she was. She was ap
plying with the greatest care and skill
minute patch Of sticking plaster to 8
tiny defect which she had discovered
on her chin. "Fancy you being ir
earnest y she went on. "What can il
be about 2" .... fsLt
"May, have you been gambling 2
asked Lord BERTHE abruptly.
"Gambling!" cried Lady Berthe
Certainly not! Why l should have
hollows under my eyes in fortnight
What can have put such an idea into
your head 7"
"Ill tell you," said Lord BERTHE
"Just now, for the second time, / have
seen dreadful looking Jew, with any
quantity of gold watch chain over al
immense waistcoat, going out of this
house. Now what on earth can yor
want with Jew, if it isn't to borrow
money 7"
"Dear mel said Lady Berthe, with
scorn, "what poverty stricken imagi
nation yours must be One nigh,
want great many things of a Jew,
should think Jews are very clever
people"
''Don't you mean to tell me wha
that man comes to see you for ?" asked
Lord BERTHE in gloomy tone.
"No!" said Lady BERTHE airily, bu
with much decision "no, / don't
Now she added, turning around a
last, sam looking we'll to-day ?"
"You are getting handsomer, l be
lieve," said Lord BERTHE, but still in th'
same gloomy tone.
"I'm very glad you think soT ey
claimed Lady Berthe, with fervor
"That's all right, then. And she lef
the mirror and came to low chai
near her husband. She was exceed
ingly graceful, and could sit down il
an artistic manner worthy of the grea
Sarah. She formed lovely picture
in her white wrapper that was littl,
more than cloud of Valencennes, a
she posed herself in her favorite loung
and crossed her pretty pink-slippere,
feet. Lord BERTHE had thrown himsel
into an easy but hardly graceful atti
tude his legs outstretched and hi
heels on the ground, his hands In hi
trouser pockets. Sitting thus, he eye,
his beautiful wife all over with de
jected and perplexed air.
"lt's not all right" he said, after
moment. Il hate mysteries. View
kept clear of them so far, May. If yo
won't clear this one up, I'll cut 1t shor
by telling the servants that Jew is nc
to enter the house"
''Oh, do y said Lady BERTHE "tha
will make such nice little scandal fo
the servants hall. And by tomorrow
will be half over town"
swell, / don't want to make foe
of myself, AID I'm sure I've no desir
that you should be talked about bu
| can't stand this state of things"
"In fact, you are dying of curio
lity."
"Not at all But if you are in di
fculties, I'm ready to get you out {
them. There's my hand on it, May
and all l ask is, don't go to anybod
else"
"What dear boy you are y sal
Lady BERTHE. "But there's nothing I
be SO serious about, ! assure you. II
not going to tell you why my frien
comes here, or what my business
with him because that would be coul
tenancing absurd tyranny on your par
which don't mean to do"
"Don't answer me like that, May,
can't stand it. The light comedy ma
ner isn't appropriate. I'm in earnes