The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-10-12
"Ah, your brother was there asked

M IlHLlDllu JcEhcu HlS CudI lhpa-
tiently.
Il always wonder. Rex, why it is that
you do not get on with Guido; he is SO
easy to please. But somehow you
two
Miss Hamblin broke in quickly: 'Who
else wasat Lady Meredyth's, Valerie?'
"Oh, you'll see the whole list in the
Morning Post. dear. But, as usual, the
one person l wanted to see was not
there
And who was that?"
Mrs. Lascelles-"
Both Rex and his sister looked up
sharply.
Mrs. Lascelles?"
Yes. Guido introduced us the other
day in the park. She is perfectly
charming, and a great friend of his
Miss Hamblin idgeted 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 luttering 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 a business letter." he answered,
shortly.
oh" and Valerie was about to put
it down when her eye caught the gilt
monogram IS. L." Il didn't know
business people wrote IN paper like
this, they don't in Italy" she added
quietly. then, turning to Miss Hamblin,
but still retaining the envelope, she
continued: Guido brought me a
message from Mrs. Lascelles, though;
she wants me to act in some tableaux
vivants she is getting up on the 18th
of next month: l am to choose my own
characters and do whatever l like;
isn't it delightful?"
What did YOU say?"
My dear Kate, ] said I should be
charmed"'
Rex looked up.
Il hope you don't really mean that,
dear?"
"Why?!"
Because l cannot possibly allow you
to do anything of the kind"
Valerie stared at him in astonish-
ment. But l tell you | have already
accepted, the idea phases me, and l
have no intention of giving it up"
added Valerie. with decision.
My dear child, you must let me de-
eide that for you. You cannot posi-
: ILL., bill, o,-4 =, -Loeo %,L1,1 - Me-
Lascelles."
And why not?" asked Valerie, petu-
lantly, irritated by the unwonted con-
tradiction.
Because Mrs. Lascelles is not a
oma whom 1 choose to have you
associate with"
Mrs. Hamblin's face flushed. "She
is nv brothers friend"
Exactly" replied Rex, in a tom 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. Lascellcs, and | will do all I
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. ] have
noticed it ever since he has been in
London. l will not have my brother
sighted, nor his friends, and l shall
go and call on Mrs. Lascelles this very
afternoon"
You will do nothing of the kind,
Valerie said Rex, in n tone which
was new to his wife. The woman is
the talk of the town. and l won't have
you mixed up with her. Stella Las
celles' name is in every mans mouth"
stella Lascelles.-S. L!"-exclaimed
Valerie. whose eyes had wandered to
the envelope, and her letters are
in every mans pocket, too, L suppose.
l understand now why you do not wish
me to meet her"
''Valerier,' cried Kate, putting her
hand on the girls arm.
Leave ME alone, Kate" she said,
impatiently, her face white and her
eyes lowering. DO you suppose l am
such a child as not to see through
this?"
You are talking such abject ION
sense that it is not worth contradict
ing" said Rex, rising from the table
and unfolding a newspaper.
Nonsense? Then show me the letter
hat envelope contained
81 shall do nothing of the sort"
"Of course not; l can quite under
stand that. A business letter"
"If you believe"
Twill you tell me it is not from Mrs.
Lascelles?"
u will tell you nothing at ALL" he
exclaimed, striding towards the door.
"As you please"
Kate watched them a moment-he,
standing by the open door of the tiny
greenhouse which led from the dining
room, a look of pain and trouble on
his face; she, her chair pushed back
from the table, her whole bearing
sullen and defiant; Miss Hamblin had d
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?
Kate Hamblin had been mother and
sister and friend to her only brother
too long not to understand him
thoroughly. She loved him too well
to have harbored any small jealousy