The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-05

"AliJw e to introduce Mr.. Dycny,
said the st, Sir John Beaucharr, as
he az pro ched Lois Campbell: ana
looku u Lois saw a tall man bow
ing | tfor her He had clear-cut fea-
tore ! and his hair was slightly tinged
wit gray. She rose, and taking his
arr, they Joined the procession wind
iig down stairs to dinner.
Howard Dycey prided himself on al
ways breaking the ice with a new ac-
cuaintance during the passage from
the drawing room to the dining room
door. Because Lois Campbell looked so
obviously new" he could not resist
teasing her. by asking her If she had
read Boschkoff's latest"
81 Lave just finished it,"
THAT is good!" exclaimed Dycey,
surIA ed. IL suppose you think him
Yer. great dramatist!"
'No; | don't know that I do" re-
piled Lois. II confess it disgusted
ne"
Dycey's eXclamations of horror were
interrupted by the necessity of getting
seated at the dinner table. Lois found
her old friend Roland Grey on her
left He smiled as he drew in hic chair.
II was rather late tonight, and
the drawing room," he said. II hope
you are staying some time with Lady
Beauchamp and that you are enjoying
your London gayeties."
Yes" answered Lois, "I am hav-
ing a very good time, and Mary wants
me to stay all the season. | think
London delightful"
Dycey did not appreciate sitting si-
lent between two ladies. both convers-
ing with other men. Accordingly. he
claimed hfs prion right to Lois atten-
ton.
Miss Campbell, he began, II am
sorry you do not like Baschkoff. May
l ask why he disgusts you?"
Il shall find it difficult to explain" !"
replied Lois, "for my reasons are
rather emotional than intelligent He
appears to me to delight only in in
tellectual and moral monstrosities.
Ana ithen to be assured that these
libelstare the portraits of true women,
freed from the trammels of society!
am quite sure that in no circum"
stances could l act or feel as one of
his women; and l do not believe that
l am particularly conventional, or in
anyt way exceptional.
Dyeey listened with an air of pro-
found attention, which was somewhat
embarrassing.
Exceptional, at all events, in the
ccnciseness with which you express
your opinions, Miss Campbell" he re-
Piled.
Lois colored slightly.
You say you are not conventional"
continued Dycey. Perhaps you are
not very good judge. Remember, your
character has been largely formed by
what one may call hereditary propriety,
fostered by education So-called civ
ilization has not been at work all these
centuries without leaving its mark on
the human race"
80 much the better, surely"
Forgive me-" replied Dycey, "it has
cramped and crippled us, and now no
one can walk alone without crutches
supplied by society. / believe your dis
like arises more from timidity than dis
gust. Clear your mind of all preju-
dice, and you will, | am certain. imme-
diately appreciate such genius. Women
capable of grasping great ideas are not
numerous, and we cannot afford to al
low one to languish upon the milk and
water diet of mere conventionality
Please read the book by Boschkoff that
will discuss it with you. You are stay
ing here some time. l believer"
Yes; till the end of july"
Before then l am sure you will be
an ardent admirer of Boschkoff."
He had heard enough of this pretty
proselyte and turned to the lady on
the other side.
Roland Gray seized the opportunity
to converse with Lois about old home
associations.
Upstairs Lois found herself sitting
next to a certain Miss Cowan, a thor
ough-paced' society girl, who knew
everything and everybody. She listened
with amusement to her cynical COM
ments on things in general, when theya
were interrupted by an elderly, hard-S
featured woman, whom Lois had never
seen before in her friends house
WI nat have you two been talkine,
about? Have you beer telling Miss
Samppell OF the ball last night, Fam
N.Y.. asked. Mrs. Lewis, as she seat
ed herseli or the lounge, with one hand
paced caressingly on Miss Cowan's
ARM Who' thoWeYer, took her arm away
as soon as was pol..elI possible. Are
you going to many dances, Miss Camp-
bell?' she continued
No, We know very few ball-giving
people, replied Lois.
"Oh, .here are lots of ways of eet-
ting invitations. | will certainly oct
you a card for Mrs. Forsyth's ball, and
also for that nice Mr.. Grey. don't
think he goes out much in London VET. !"
But Lady .Beauchamp does not know
Mrs, Forsyth"
"Oh, that is no difficulty. Mrs
Forsythe does not know one-tenth of
the people she has invited. She is nIIite
new to society and l am sending OUT
the invitations. She will be delighted
to ask any one I suggest. 1t is to be a
very grand affair. Every one will be
there, as there is to be a magnificent
cotilton. l will send Lady Beauchamp
card tomorrow" Mrs. Lewis prom
ised, smiling graciously upon, Lois.
Here the conversation ended as the
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