The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-08-11
CHAPTER XVIII.

Rhoda Barr was living In New York.
Since her mothers death she had been in
possession of a handsome income and her
apartments In 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
drawing-room we're carefully chosen and
90 placed that, like women In a ballroom,
each drew added beauty from the 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 one
comprehensive word to 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 let man or woman inhabit for a time
o certain room and the student Of human
nature will be able to read therein the re-
cord made by the personality OF the occu-
pant. Do you see those sheets Of music
scattered over the pianos top? 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. 1t 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 the wild flowers that
tnrn the gloomy forest into a paradise,
give to discordant generations harmonies
that soothe unworthy passions and make
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.
\ Buthas she not shown a wonderful knowl-
edge OF literature in her selection OF the
tones she deems worthy Of daily contem-
plation? Look at that edition of Shake
6peare! See how cleverly she has chosen
the best output of the elder English drama,
fists 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 chaff from
the wheat in the fed Of English letters
And these books are not merely for show
The best Of them are well .thumbed and II
is very evident that she who reigns over
this little realm is a queen whose minG
who wear the crowns the ages give tt
genius.
Rhoda Barr has grown beautiful since
we saw her last. Perhaps, should we search
closely, we might find crease beneath
her eyes or even q white hair somewhere
In her luxuriant tresses, but the years thai
have passed since she said farewell Il
Harlan Otis have added TO her face Ger
tain strength, a force and power that com
bined with the symmetryof her features
gives 1t a fascination that, sur ly, it die
not need. As she reclnes on divan ii
her drawing-rnom, gazing wistfully out o
the front windows through which the pinl
protest of adYing day steals in, she pre-
sents picture that even d married man
could not but admire.
She was attired in a dark gray dress that
chung closely to her figure and seemed t,
love the outlines that no one saw. He
sEpperAdl feet made a. delicate silhouette
against the evening sky and us she puiTec
acigaretteshe smiled at the dainty pictur,
her reclining form presented to her eyes.
am delicious" she said to herself
Physically | am more worthy of his low
than in the old days And mentally
Pshaw have become almost his equa
In the lines that he affects. That coores
girl he married must bore him fearful,
Perhaps it's time for me to play anothe
card. Heigho. it is strange how much wis
to fulfill the threat that made SO long ag
to ruin that woman's life Do Ishate her
No. DoIlove her husband? / am not sure
Once I thought l did, but time is a wor
drous sedative. What, then, is the incentiv
that impels me to devote my life to one oh
ject? Why should l, besought by counties
suitors, give my whole time to- the wei
nigh hopelese endeavor to re-fascinate! a
it We're, man who never loved anybod
but himself? cannot tell. Perhaps th
only answer unsatisfactory as it Isl
that i am a woman"
Then she threw away her half-smoke
cigarette, pulled down the curtains q
the windows, lighted gas jet and seate
herself at writing-desk
Ny dear Mr.. Otis" she wrote, 4 hor
you will not be offended II again take 1t
liberty, in remberance OF old times,
sending you few lines to tell you th;
X you are always in my thoughts and tn;
the successful outcome OF your life is II
most fervent wish. The truth is that a
worried nv two suggestive facts: the fri