Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-10-31

L always WOnQer, heS, why IL is Indt
you do not get on with Guido; he is SO
easy to please. But somehow you
two"
Miss Hamblin broke In quickly: who
else was at Lady Meredyth's, Valerie?"
'Oh, you'll see the wholo list in tho
Morning Post, dear. But, as usual, the
one person / wanted to see was not
there"
And who was that?"
Mrs. Lascelles."
Both Rex and his sister looked up
sharply.
MRS. Lasccl1es?"
"Yes Guido introduced US the other
day in the park She is perfectly
charming, and a great friend of his"
Miss Hamblin fidgeted nervously
with the cups, and Hamblin threw
down his serviette so impatiently that
it jerked to the floor some of his opened
letters; an envelope futtering to Val
cries feet, she stopped and picked it up.
why, Rex, who is this from?" she
asked, curiously, glancing at the deli
cate feminine writing, under which, in
the club porter's clumsy hand, was the
home address.
Hamblin frowned angrily.
"It's business letter." he answered,
shortly.
"Oh," and Valerie was about TO put
it down whom her eye caught tho gilt
monogram "S L." II didn't know
business people wrots on paper like
this, they don't in Italy" abe added
quietly. then, turning 30 Miss Hamblin,
\ but still retaining the envelope, she
continued: Guido brought me a
message from Mrs Lascelles, though;
she wants me to not in some tableaux
vivants she Is getting up on the 18th
of next month; / am to choose my own
character. and do whatever | like;
isn't it delightful?"
what did you say?"
MY dear Kate, said I should be
charmed"
Rex looked up.
II hope you don't really mean that.
dear?"
"Why~
because cannot possibly allow you
to do anything Of the kind"
Valerie stared at him in astonish-
ment. But tell you have already
accepted, tho Idea plcases me, and l
have no intention Of giving it up"
added Valerie, with decision.
my dear child, you must let me de-
cide that for you. You cannot possi-
bly, take part In these tableaux of Mrs.
Lascelles."
"And why not?" asked Valerie, petu-
lantly, irritated hy the unwonted con-
tradiction.
because Mrs. Lascelles IL not a
woman whom l choose to have you
associate with"
Mrs Hamblin's face flushed. "She
Is my brothers friend"
Exactly" replied Rex, in tone that
spoke volumes.
REX, how dare you insinuate such
things? Guido would not wish me to
know anyone who was not nice. He
particularly asked me to be friends
with Mrs. Lascelles, and l will do all /
can to please him"
"My dear Valerie" began Rex, but
she interrupted quickly:
you are Jealous Of Guido! Jealous
because he Is so much better looking
and more popular than you'll / have
noticed it ever aimee he has been in
London. l will not have my brother
slighted, nor his friends, and shall
go and call on Mrs Lascelles this very
afternoon"
You will do nothing Of the kind,
Valerie" said Rex, in a tone which
was new to his wife. "The woman is
the talk Of the town, and won't have
You mixed up with her. Stella Las
celles' name is in every mans mouth"
stella Lascellesl-S. L!"-e1claimed
Valerie, whose eyes had wandered to
tho envelope, "and her letters are
in every mans pocket, too, l suppose.
I. understand now why you do not wish
me to meet her"
"Valeriel" cried Kate, putting her
hand on the girls arm.
Leave me alone, Kater' she said,
impatiently, her face white and her
eyes lowering. "Do you suppose am
such a child as not to see through
thisp"
you are talking such abject nom
sense that 1t is not worth con ntradict-
ing" said Rex, rising from the table
and unfolding a newspaper.
"Nonsense2 Then show me the letter
that envelope contained"
~ shall do nothing Of the sort"
"Of course not; can quite under
stand that A business letter"
IF you believe"
"Will you tell me it is not from Mrs.
Lascelles?"
81 will tell you nothing ut ALI" he
exclaimed, striding towards the door.
"As you please"
Kate watched them moment-he,
standing by the open door of the tiny
greenhouse which led from the dining
room, look of pain and trouble on
his face; she, her chair pushed back
from the table, her whole bearing
sullen and'dofiant; Miss Hamblin had a
shrewd idea that she held the key of
the situation, which her brother was
trying to hide from his wife. What was
she to do?