New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-08


aunt cared whether she were insolent or not.
There was a certain aroma Of personal presence
about Porta Nunally that made one forgive a vast
deal In her which would have been unforgivable
In another. And when Porta chose TO be de-
fercntial and winning, when she felt like letting
her eyes dwell on you in way her eyes had. then
you could hardly be blamed il Won lost your head
a little. When you came fully to understand that
she was conscious Of this way her eyes had then
possibly you began to regain your head n little
But there had been cases when it required n long
time for this last desirable summation to be
reached Men and women alike We're her victims
The way she pnt it, However. was that she was
the victim of mon and women alike. ION the
whole, though, she said once when in a mood OF
confession. Il like women better Women know
things You can absolutely rely upon scores Of
women TO know instantly why you talk one way
only for the reason that you feel the opposite
There's great comfort in that. And then tho
extreme surprise that comes t. well regulated
properly brought up young woman whom she finds
that she is in love with another woman-me for
instance. OF course, if she doesn't know it isn't
really love, and often she doesn't. there will be-
plenty to tell her. Sometimes it requires quite
good deal Of argument TO convince her that il she
were in love with a man it would he the real thing.
For don't You sec. between men and women love
for IN hour is invariably love forever but in all
other cases il is cphcmcral. spurious abnormal
article" Here Portals eyes would diatc, and
she would laugh In way that might possibly
make her nearer SILVER slightly Or she would
not laugh. but would lean toward you and smile
right into your eyes in such a manner that YOU
felt imperatively moved to find out what kind of
a girl she was.
But when woman il nearly thirty. when she
has eyes with dash of green in them, with thick
light lasles. when she is a yellow blonde with
very scarlet lips-why, then il is next TO impossi-
BILE for nan or woman TO find out. unscathcd,
what sort of person she is One unfortunate
result Of a study of character under these crcum-
stances is that presently yon do not care in the
least whether you are scathcd or unscahed; and
you are never precisely the same after such
process OF education
This girl was superlativcly sensitive ard in
tuitivc IL WIS not necessary TO be that In such
a degree for her TO perceive that slmcthng unusual
had happened just now in this room. Tho longer
shc sat there the moro interested she became, and
the less she felt like yawning.
She moved uneasily. She noted Mira Darrah's
rather set face
II feel my hair beginning to rise on my head
she remarked at last 81 am almost sure there is
q spoolS in this room somewhere.
Don't be silly" said her aunt.
Portia was silent moment Then she started
in 2, dramatic manner sho had
There is something Undertaking. in Miss Ger
rvs chair" she exclaimed. Really, Aunt Flor
ence, II you don't tell me Why you sent for me-
nav 20 into state Of sclfmposci hypnotism In
spite Of myself
Il cent for you, Portia, because have had such
n shock that wanted 20 divert my mind was
the answer, and sometimes you can be very
dvertinc"
"Oh, thank you. Did Miss Gerry give you ma
torial in n very unexpected manner, or did sh"
have hemorrhage OF tho lungs"
Portia glanced about her "a il she might geo
some token Of that hemorrhage
"Portia.n said Mira Darrah with solemnty.
what is your idea Of CONSCIENCE"
The girl sat upright with quick movement.
AUNT Florence she answered. II haven't an
idea Of conscience
She asked almost Immediately: Have yon got
into trouble with Miss Gcrrys Conscience ,"
Don't ask irrelevant questions, was the re-
spouse II suppose, Portia. You have an idea that
some things you would do. and some things You
would not do?'
Certainly: when you put 10 in that WOW, Aunt,
| IND YOU quito liCltl, anu van "''''' 800
ronlicd the girl. "but first, don't yon want your
notebook tho blue onc?7
mo, | DON'T
at is rather irritating that am never material
20 you. Aunt
i've known you too long. Now. what would
You do. and what wouldn't you do9'
portio considered: nj last she answered
The things would do arc so very many thar
can't begin 70 tell But there are fcw things
7 would not do
well. what are they - with interest.
"T'hc first that occurs 10 me is that would nor,
for tho world wear my hair in THAT abomnabIe
Crock way which that Stacy girl thinks 80 NM
And I worldn't have those ugly gathers in IN"
skirt Of nv frock-not though they wero t"n times
rho fashion. II YOU will Civ" mo half an honr IN
which 70 collect my thoughts, ma tart". VIII
toll Won moro thiuas that would not do.
Portia'a face wa. full Of mischief: but II was
full Of interest also.
Mrs. Darrah was gazing coldly and CON
ccntrntcdly at her niece. but she was thinking OF
Tho face Of the other girl who had so lately left
her.
"You would steal from a wife her husbands
love- she questioned.
"yoe. promptly. "but that kind which could
10 stolen would not he very precous-and II
,vonld be uitc fun 10 steal hers
"You would steal her purse or her necklace
or forge her name?'
"Ob dear. no. ineeed' Porth did not try
N conceal her amazemcnt. Then she endeavorcd
70 smile "a she once moro offered to get tho oine
ro,cbook She said it seemed TO her that 1t was
surely fitting time for the blue notebook Ihcn
she sbrucocl her shoulders and remarked that there
wore occa ,ions when she could wish that She were
mot tho niece Of an authoress. After this she IN
ouired if Aunt Florence were rchcarsing plot, or
irving on a chapter, and could she assist her IN
onv other wayp Should abe put on her now even
ing dress and poseP
"Tbe amount Of it all s," exclaimed Mrs. Oar
rab without noticing the girls words, that We