Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-09-13
ELAlNE'S ERROR.

Elaine Aubrey, goiu-halreu ana
azure-eyed, looked like a human flower
as she sat in q white cashmere
wrapper tasseled with silver and
edged with dainty foam of swans
down; while directly opposite, at the
little round table, as II posed for the
precise purpose of contrast, sat
Diana Effyngham, a dark-eyed, gypsy
like brunette, in black velvet and
sables.
Into this brilliant and perfumed
bower entered Mrs. Beckford, like Il
sober brown thrush who has found her
way by mistake into a humming birds
nest. AT lunch," said Mrs. Bedford.
We'll l won't intrude.'
20. pray don't go away cried
Elaine starting up, all sunny hos
pitality Diana, this is aunt Alice
his aunt Alice with a laugh and a
blush "Sit down: do, please, and let
me give you a glass of wine and a
slice of cold tongue"
"Champagne!" said Mrs. Beckford
little doubtfully, None for me,
thanks"
mot like champagner cried Elaine,
opening wide her sea-blue eyes.
And she held the glass of sparkling,
beaded amber to her lips and drank
half its contents at a draft.
Tastes differ. said Mrs. Beckford,
dryly. Elaine, do you drink cham
payne every day."
Always" said Elaine. THE doctor
told papa that | needed some stimu-
lants to tone me up
ut is bad habit to cultivate" said
Mrs. Beckford, soberly.
20, aunty, every one drinks cham
payne said Elaine. with slightly
injured air. 1T isn't like port and
sherry, and those horried heavy, yul-
gar drinks; is it, DIP"
Does Hugh approve Of it?"
Hugh" said Elaine. with saucy
toss of her pretty head why, Hugh
was with me at Mrs. Spicer's party
list night where we did nothing but
waltz and cool off with iced cham
payne. from midnight until 3 o'clock.
Dear Aunt Alice, you'll pardon me,
| know; but you are so old-fashioned!"
well" said Mrs. Bedford, "for my
part, / don't pretend to comprehend
the freaks of you fashionable folks. l
suppose you'll be smoking and playing
billiards yet"
Diana Effyngham glanced across the
table at her friend and burst out
laughing. Elaine colored
81 did smoke a cigarette yesterday"
she confessed.
"And she and | had mattel, game
Of billiards with Guy Glover and
Maurice Delford." added Diana Eff
fyngham defiantly.
What made you tell her that, DIP
reproachfully questioned Elaine, after
Mrs Beckford had gone.
20. ! like to IL AXE the old lady
stare" said Diana roguishly. "She Is
so unsophisticated. And you know
yourself it is true. Elaine"
1.-THE truth Is not to be spoken at all
times" said Elaine sententiously
"And she is Hugh Robertson's aunt. :"
"Hugh's aunt, indeedw said Diana,
with contemptuous toss of her head.
20, the slaves that you engaged girls
arel'
Hugh Robertson, a rising young
luminary in the legal armament, sat
in his law office on lower Broadway
as Aunt Alice came in looking weary
and dispirited. He sprang up to offer
her a chair.
well, aunt, you have been shop
ping; can read 1t in your visage."
you read the wrong tale" said
Aunt Alice. half smiling. II have been
to see Elaine.
"Well?'
and found her and that friend Of
hers, Miss Effyngham, lunching of
cold tongue, game pie, and champagne.
Hugh, | do not like to see a young
lady drinking wine with such evident
relish"
"Elaine IS delicate this winter and
perhaps she needs the tonic"
my dear boy" said Mrs. Bedford
almost sadly II know I belong to a
past generation, but still / cannot but
dread the effects OF such a habit on
the nature of any one. think you
should warn Elaine"
Warn Elaine. Against
There" said Aunt Alice, Il knew
how 1t would be. | have offended you;
but truth is truth, Notwithstanding
And some day, perhaps, Hugh. your
live to thank me for this plain speak
ing"
Time went On and one day Hugh
Robertson called unexpectedly.
rs Miss Aubrey at homer