Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-01

Pretty Mrs. Nalery was a merry,
little creature and very
charming. This was nearly enough to
make her detested by her sex; but add
to this that her husband was devoted
to her, and that all the men, of her ac-
ouaintance admired her, and there is
quite sufficient reason for the enmity
felt toward her by all women less fascin-
ating-or, as they would have said, less
clever.
In truth Mrs. Valery was the most
innocent little woman in the world,
and il was very easy for her 10 walk in
the paths of virtue, as she had the ex-
ceptional advantage of being in love
with her husband. But, Of course, her
female friends could not be expected
TO believe that, though the men had all
found it out long ago and had admired
her all the more for it. She accepted
their admiration with an ease and
grace all her own; she had been great
deal abroad. and possibly this gave her
manner brilliance and gaioty. Half
her girhood had been spent with rcla-
tons in st. Petersburg, and she SPOKE
Russian as if she was herself Slav.
From that gay city perhaps she had
brought her love of social life and the
yiyacity which delighted her male
friends. All these things were enough
to make the ladies' of her acquaintance
quite convinced that she was i'm
proper" and only needed to be found
out.
Lady Lynx lived just opposite Mrs.
Valcry in Wilton Place. This was one
reason why she vas tacitly elected de-
tective-in-chief to spy upon Mrs. Val
ery. Bur there was q much stronger
reason Tor the LADY, Willingness to fill
that post. Her husband, Sir George
LYNX, was Il confirmed globe-trolter, a
.over OF almost any land but England,
and nc seldom returned to the wife of
his bosom. In his absence men treated
her with chilly politcncss. though she
painted and powdered and dressed to
perfection Yet Mrs. Valery, though
her husband was q stay-at-home, had
constant train of visitors Lady Lynx
was convinced that there was more in
this than met the eye; she devoted her
self TO Mrs. Valery, became her most
intimate friend, and resolved that some
dav she would outwit and expose her.
On certain afternoon when tho
season was at its height, Lady Lynx
came into Mrs. Valery' drawing-room.
"Sir George is coming home to-day,
she said.
Mrs. Valery looked up with an air
of interest.
'Indeedp' she said; II shall be glad
to make his acquaintance.
IL don't know ut what time, " said
Lady Lynx, 'or ! would 90 and meet
him. But | must sit at home and watch
from my window for the wandering
knights return.
"Will he come to Charing CROSSE"
asked Mrs. Nalery.
Yes" said Lady Lynx, "Whv?"
30, nothing" said Mrs. Valery,
carelessly; ''oniy that have to go and
meet a friend this afternoon. | must
start soon" she added, looking at her
watch.
you have to meet friend tbere?
said Lady Lynx.
Yes, y said Mrs. Valery; thcn, with
a laugh, "or rather, | Should say a
stranger. 1t seems absurd. but have
to meet a gentleman whom l have
never seen.
ut does seem absurd indeed, said
Lady Lynx, echoing the laugh mechan-
ically. Her thoughts went ranging
back over st. Georges frequent alb
sences. Had Mrs. Nalery been abroad
when he was away? Yes, hundred
times. Doubtless they had met at
many a continental resort, and were
! old acquaintances.
1T is absurd, yet true" said Mrs.
Valery, indifferently. you know j
have great many old f.ields in ST.
Petersburg. Well, one of these writes
nae that q certain Russian gentleman
will arrive in London this afternoon,
| and will be utterly lost unless take
pity on him and go to meet him. do
believes that no one in England can
speak anything hut English. To GER
tain extent he his right. He will find
it difficult to get on with the cabmen
and porters at Charing Cross; they
don't generally speak French. So /
must 90, and at least send MIN to q
hoteI where he viii be understood.
What queer thing TO ask you to
dor said Lady Lynx, looking at Mrs.
Vqlery with an expression which said
as plainly rs possible, do you think
I'm an absolute toolp And are you
really going to meet him in the station
and shake hands with all the men in
the train ON chance?' she asked.
No, not quite that, aid Mrs. Val
cry with another laugh. lie will go
TO the Charing Cross hotel for tonight
/ will ash Tor him there, bring him
home TO dinner ii DC looks nice; in any
ease, give him some little information
about this wilderness u London. nj
Falery las found ue some addresses
I for him; one or two hotels where the
people are French ~ pity franA
cant - with me.
.'It IS. indeed, saa Lady LYNN
/ drNb
"l rca,iy must ruu agag. said Mr..
Nalee. a-ai. consulting htr "@tcl-
+ ~ am yerr SORRY ta seem ~~5c