New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09
CHAPTER Nv.

You are not fair to Mrs Freke, you really
are not" Lima Urquhart protested to Mrs LLOYD.
II don't like her. / never did. but am sorry
for her She has such a mean husband ana
such hard life, with no children To make up
for tr
Mrs Lloyd had been duly admiring purply-
red infant which Lima had caused to be brought
in for exhibiton-a very ugly and ordinary lit
tie mite, but perfection In its fond mother
eyes. The possession of her boy was making
Mrs Urquhart charitable to a foolish degree
But she has not got bad husband nor
mean one either. | have known Mr.. Freke ever
since / was married He is not attractive,
grant you. but Eva chose to marry him; and no
one will make me believe that, If she treated MIN
properly he would not be as kind to her as
your husbandr'
Mrs Lloyd spoke hastily as was her wont.
Perhaps a little more hastily than usual Tor
she pulled herself up abruptly over the last two
words.
Il don't dislike Mr. Frekc myself" Lima said
hesitatngly. "Archie always said he helped
him a great deal in the office. and | had got
rather to like him when he came In the after
Moons just before baby was born But after
what Eva said Of him yesterday--poor Eva. she
quite cried about it don't think he can be
nice to live with. At least. not nice for Eva; you
know some other girls would not mind But
she is so brilliant; Archie says she Is the smart
est woman in Shanghai. so of course she can't
take much interest in what Mr.. Freke likes
And then, he is so mean
Mrs Lloyd frowned shook her head and
frowncd again
I'm a tone intended t. be sarcastic
yes. she came in yesterday. and showed her
baby, and seeing him seemed to upset her
didn't believe till then she could be upset, couId
care for anythng-yOu understand | was 80
sorry for her; for Archie came home In the MD
die Of it ALL and she didn't hear him coming
into the room, and went saying things she
wouldn't have said before him. I'm sure. got
Archie 10 take her home--t pouring with
rain-and he took her little turn round, and
she was quite bright again when he dropped
her at her own door. Archie has such nice
way with women"
"A very nice way" Mrs. Lloyd assented dryly.
"Partcularlyi" she repeated absently, touching
the babys crumpledup hand with her little
finger The hand opened and closed over the
finger and both women stood silent for few
minutes Then Mrs Lloyd gently disengaged
her finger and turned to Lima with tie nervous
air Of one who has something unpleasant to say,
and who desires to say it quickly.
Lima don't like Eva Freke. never have
liked her. and ! never have trusted her. | have
my good reasons for not trusting her, but IL
wouldn't be fair to give them to you. Only don't
trust her. Lima. don't trust her even as far as
you her. And don't encourage your husband
in being friends with her.
Which speech, solemnly delivered, so impressed
Lima that she innocently repeated 1t all TO
Archie that very evening. adding, What could
she mean?'
Mean Archie answered, getting up with
savage kick at the unoffendng footstool; II
means that all women are cats, and all jealous
Of each other She ought to have been ashamed
of herself to try TO prejudice you against that
unfortunate girl / must beg you. as my wife,
to pay no attention to such nonsense but to go
on being as civil to Mrs. Freke as you have
always been. BY the way, promised to drive
her out to the Kennaways' party tomorrow
afternoon. You didn't mean to go. did you,
dear?'
No I suppose not" Lima said doubtfully.
Perhaps had better wait another week before
going about"
But she had intended to go: only Archie had
forgotten all about her when Eva had asked him
to drive her out.