The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-13

ately. II am not Caesars wife, you
know. The reputation of an actress
is shining mark for calumny. People
expect scandal of us; our professional
contracts almost require that we fur
nish food for it. With you great ladies,
Of course, it is different. You have not
only yourselves, but your husbands and
children and the fair fame of ancient
lineage and high position to consider.
So slight breath of suspicion directed
against you furnishes so wide a field Of
honor I cannot wonder that one who
has so many excellent reasons for
being solicitous of her own good repute
should feel strongly prompted to in
trude even upon the privacy of poor
actress affairs to warn her against
giving grounds for misrepresentation
No counsel carries such weight as that
of experience. I am we'll aware that it
is only the difference in our rank that
has made you feel at liberty to broac1
this subject to me. Were l of your
own social standing, you would doubt
less have hesitated to visit me upon
such an errand as has brought you
here today. But, while [ thank you for
your condescension and charitable in
reference in my concerns, | must de-
cline to profit by both. feeling myself
as we'll qualified to guard my-as yet
unstained name as even Mrs. Dicky
Quintard, with all her manifold rea
sons for being scrupulous, has shown
herself capable Of defending that or
her husband
l went through the long speech to
it's very end in a smooth, perfectly cour-
teous and gentle voice. Any one hear
ing the intonation, and not the words,
would have believed me discoursing
most amic2bly upon the casual topics
Of an afternoon call. But the woman
Ixyhn 6rnnnnI
like singing nettles did not SO miscon-
ceiVe my even manner. For an instant
I think | even Shamed her bold asSur-
ance, for her black eyes dropped abash-
ed before my still smiling glance. Then
she rose and stood before me, fasten-
ing the hooks Of a magnificent outer
garment, which gave an air of splendid
distinction to her figure, with hands
that trembled visibly with rage.
You are insulting" she said when
! she could command her voice But
I was prepared for that. [ scarcely
hoped to meet with forbearance and
fine feeling in one who keeps a paid
spy in the houses of those whom she
! means to despoil of their peace and
! honor"
That will do, 1 said, quietly, but
! pereInptorily, rising in my turn. IF
! you are prepared for insult, [ am not,
and therefore decline to take part in a
conflict of words in which you have
I so obvious an advantage Just what
YOU hoped to effect in coming here I
/ do not know, Mrs. Quintard, but. al
though the object Of your visit indi-
Gated by your preliminary remarks was
! sufficiently offensive to warrant my
turning you out with scant courtesy
from my doors, yet L am not willing
that you should depart without a GER
tain assurance from me. That much I
owe to my own woman-and mother
hood. For you, as wife and woman,
I have absolutely no respect. (You see,
the reinsurance you desire is going to
cost you something in the way of
listening to home truths) 1 know
hundreds OF women in my profession
who would blush although you i'm
| agine our emotions are but painted
things 10 feel their names so tainted
rs is yours. but for you, as q mother
being such myself, I have fellow feel
| ing and consideration. [ believe that
| yoG honestly lave your son, and are
aolicitous for his welfare. Therefore
I l wish to ease Your mind regarding his
devotion to me. It is true he IS much
with me: it IS true he fancies he loves
me, and that accept such attentions