The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-04-04


Mrs Maine tried to hide the disappoint-
ment that she felt How good of you to
come throught the fog to see me, Belle" she
said. "Sit here by the fire and will give
you some tea"
Her friend sat down dreamily and re-
marked, Whom were you expecting,
dear?"
How could expect anybody on such a
day."
And it was a man; / know that by your
look into the glass"
Really, Belle, you are too observant
And suppose it was, what then?"
Belle de Rinski looked at Mrs Maine crit
ically and continued: "Why, you are actu-
ally blushing! Surely you are not expect
ing lover to come TO see you through the
fog?"
The young widow laughed little un-
easily. "What if 1 said a future hus-
band?"
"And is he coming?"
AT 5 o'clock
" In 10 minutes? So you are positively
thinking of marrying again? How extra
ordinary"
scarcely see why. Do You intend al
ways to remain widow-the richest, the
most independent widow in London, as /
heard you called only yesterday" IA
The other waived the question With a
quiet deliberati0n that was characteristic of
her, and put another: May / not hear
his namep"
Mrs. Maine hesitated for moment. Then
she answered: Wei, you are a great friend,
and you have probably guessed it already.
Why should not tell you? 1t is your old
friend, Roger Slade.n
The Colntesse de Rinsk put her teacup
down with a sudden movement that caused
a clatter Of china.
Yes, a little more tea, please" she said.
" And I like it strong. Roger Slade-that
is q curious choice. So he has proposed 10
you?n
Only by letter. He is coming to-day for
his answer, at 5 o'clock. If / say Not at
home he viii take it for refusal"
Really, And you will say -
AT home,' / think"
The Comtesse looked at the clock thought
fully, and slipped her strong tea.
And so IN five minutes you mean 10 make
up your mind TO relinquish your liberty ?n
she said in even tones. Well, why not?
We women are the strangest creatures, Ger
tainly. There will be an eruption Of pictures
presently upon tbe walls Of the; exhibitions
Mrs. Slade as Venus, as Ariadne, as Psyche;
portrait of the artists wife. by II. Slade, A.
r. A. You will be pretty model. lie is
good fellow, but he is terribly in earnestn
Il like that. There is depth in his
gravities, not dullness. Yes know like
thatn
:" But severe earnestness at breakfast, at
afternoon tea, in ones opera box-might not
it prove trying?"
Mrs. Maine considered. 81 don't know.
l have hardly thought about it. He only
wrote to me this morning"
"And yOu viii say yes without mo-
ments consideration. After all, if you love
him, you are quite right"
81 think / do,n Mrs Maine said, little
doubtfHlly. think j shall"
The Confess de Rinski took inv roll of
bread and butter and remarked: "They say
his prices are going down.
Mrs. Maine frowned slightly. "Impossi-
ble," she said. why, he is at the very
hight of fame"
"Yes he is very celebrated. In the old
days it used to be once a celebrity always
celebrity. But now people can raise and fall
while you say one At Lambes gallery, in
Old Bond street, they declare that his popu-
larity is on the wane. If that is true no
wonder he stretches out his hands for con-
ISOLATION. Love is often an excellent crutch
for hobbling ambition"
"But-but -
"You would rather share his glory than
soothe his dark hour. All, Kitty, that is SO
like you"
No, Belle, you are wrong. But waning
celebrity is apt 10 be irritable"
One can always calm irritation with
affection. And he is quite good looking.