Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-04-15

good fellow, but he is terribly in
earnest"
81 like that. There is a depth in
his gravities, not dullness. Yes, know
1 like that
"But severe earnestness at break
fast, at afternoon tea, IN ones opera
box-might not that prove trying?"
Mrs. Maine considered. "I don't
know. have hardly thought about
it. He only wrote to me this morn
ing"
"And you will say yes without
moments consideration? After all,
if you love him you are are quite
right"
60 think do" Mrs. Maine said,
a little doubtfully. 81 think 1
shall"
The Comtesse de Rinski took o
tiny roll of bread and butter and re-
marked: "They say his prices are
going down."
Mrs. Maine frowned slightly. elm
possible" she said. "Why, he is at
the very height of fame"
eyes, he is very celebrated. In the
old days it used to be once celebrity
always celebrity; but now people
can rise and fall while you can say
one. At Lambe's gallery in Old Bond
street they declare that his popularity
is on the wane. If that be true, no
wonder he stretches out his hands for
consolation. Love is often an ex-
cellent crutch for hobbling ambi-
ton"
"But-but-"
"You would rather share his glory
than sooth his dark hour. All, Kitty,
that is so like you"
''No, Belle, you are wrong. But
waning celebrity is apt to be irrita-
able"
"One can always calm irritation
with affection. And he is quite good
looking. Kitty, dear, 1 congratu-
late you"
Mrs Maine got up from her sofa
restlessly and walked about the room,
putting one or two of the white orana-
ments that rested on the white velvet
over -mantel straight, fidgeting with
the silk cushion, stirring the fire that
already blazed brightly enough.
Perhaps your congratulations are
premature, she said.
"Why? I thought from your man
ner that you had quite decided"
81 mean to decide by tonight"
''But that is rather hard upon him,
isn't it? If you let him in this after
noon of course he will believe that
you intend to accept him."
"And if l don't?"
''He will think he is refused"
'I can write and explain tonight
one way or the other"
'But meanwhile he will be in mis-
cry"
Mrs. Maine did not look ill-pleased
at the idea. "Yes, poor fellow" she
said. ''But if accept him after oil,
his eventual joy will be the greater.
Besides, Belle, you are right. I must
have little time for consideration.
Men always are in such hurry"
''That is true," said the comtesse,
putting her white teacup down care
fully.
just then the clock chimed five, and
almost simultaneously there was a
ring at the hall door bell.
"There he is," said the comtesse.
''Will you see him? Because if so
will go at once"
She stood up, with her gray eyes
fixed upon her friend.
But the latter opened the drawing
room door, and called softly to the
footman "Somers, say, sNot at
home.'"
'Yes, ma am"
Sand let me know at once who
called"
eyes. ma'am."
The hall door opened and shut, and
a moment later the man entered with
card. 1t bore the name of Roger
Slade, and in the corner was scribbled
in pencil, "P. P. c."
Mrs Maine took the card thought
fully. "Poor fellow" she said. "But
perhaps I may make him happy to-
night. Oh, you are not going. BELIEF"
''Yes, dear, l must run away, after
all. I have just remembered another
call l meant to pay close by"
"You will pass him in your car
riage, perhaps. Do peep and tell me
if he is looking sad. Write this even
ing and tell me"
81 will. Good-by, darling"
And she kissed Mrs. Maine and went
out across the hall to her carriage.
As soon as Belle had gone, Mrs.
Maine went upstairs, ordered her car
riage, to the dismay of her coachman,
and wrapped herself in furs.
'sDrive to Lambe's Gallery, in Bond
street." she said, as she got into the
brougham.
With some difficulty the coachman
found his way there, and Mrs. Maine
entered the gallery, and, under the
pretext of choosing some etchings,
entered into conversation with one of
the attendants, polite young man,
whose one desire in life seemed to be
to afford his employers customers ex-
elusive information on oil matters con-
nected with art.