The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-08-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

Rhoda Barr was living In New York.
Since her mothers death she had been In
possession ofa handsome income and her
apartments In a towering structure on an
uptown street were luxurious. She pos
sessed that quality, rarer, perhaps, than
common sense, that is called good taste.
The pictures that adorned the walls of her
drawlng-room were carefully chosen and
so placed that. like women in q ballroom.
each drew added beauty from tho others.
The hangings OF this dainty retreat, In
which the handsome widow spent most Of
her leisure time, were worthy OF the eye
that had selected and arranged the paint
ings. The room. In short, suggested ono
comprehensive word to o sympathetic
mind, namely. harmony.
Character finds expression In various
ways-in the face, the hand, the bumps on
the head, the voice. the words, the deeds
but lot O man or woman inhnbit for a time
O certain room and the student of human
nature will beable TO read therein the rc-
cord made by the personality OF the oceil-
pant. Do you see those sheets Of music
scattered over the piano's top2 The mis-
tress Of this den loves the masters OF sweet
sounds. Hers is no vulgar admiration for
the fiippant jangles that our generation
80 much effects. It is evident that she
has cultivated love for the highest
achievements Of those who make grotesque
characters represent melodies that thrill
the soul and, like tho wild flowers that
turn the gloomy forest into paradise,
give to dincordant generations harmonies
that soothe unworthy passions aud mako
men nobler as they hear.
And there are her books Examine them
carefully. 1t will not take you long for the
wall against which they rest is not large.
But has she not shown wonderful knowl-
edge Of literature in her selection OF the
tones she deems worthy OF daily contem-
plation? Look at that edition OF Shake
epearel SEQ how cleverly she has chosen
the best output Of the elder English drama
lists and poets. And, then, her selections
from the French and American masters
are thoroughly In line with the ability she
has shown In wedding out the chaif from
the wheat ip the fled OF English letters
And these books are not merely for show.
The best OF them are we'll thumbed and It
Is very evident that she who reigns over
this little realm Is queen whose mind
loves to be en- toltche with tho monarchs
who wear the crowns the ages give to
genius.
Rhoda Barr has grown beautiful since
we saw her last. Perhaps, should we search
her eyes or even white hair somewhere
In her luxuriant tresses, but the years that
have passed since she said farewell to
Harlan Otis have added to her face GER
tain strength, force and power that, COM
bined with the symmetry OF her features.
gives 1t n fascination that, surely, 1t did
not need. As she reclines on a divan in
her drawing gazing wistfully out OF
the front windows through which the pink
protest OF dying day steals In, she pre-
sents picture that even mntried man
could not but admire.
She was attired In o dark gray dress that
chung closely TO her figure and seemed to
love the outlines that no one saw Her
slippered feet made delicate silhouette
against the evening sky. and as she pulled
a cigarette she smiled at the dainty picture
her reclining form presented to her eyes.
"I am delicious" she said to herself.
physically lam more worthy OF hts love
than In the old days. And mentality
Pshaw have become almost his equal
In the lines that he affects. That eolorless
girl he married must bore him fearfully.
Perhaps 1t is time for me to play another
card. Heigho, 1t is strange howmuch wish
to fulfill the threat that made so long ago
TO ruin that woman's life. Do hate her2
No. Do Hove her husband2 am not sure
Once thought I did, but time is q won
drous sedative. What, then, Is heincentive
that impels mo to devote my life to one OBJ
ject? Why should T. besought by countless
sultors, give my whole timo to tho we'll
nigh hopelese endeayor to re-fasclnate, as
1t were, a man who never loved anybody
but himself? can not tell. Perhaps tho
only answer slnsat lsfactory as It isis
that am q woman.
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