The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-04-07
ICONTINUED !

Such as they were the Cadwaladef
Dinsnores made up their minds to ex-
tend the right hand of hospitality to
Mile. Mariana Mrs. Cadwnlnder called
on her in person, and Wallic, as mat
ter of course. in tho shape of his name
written on piece Of pastcboard. The
diva's acceptance having been secured
the other invitations were issued, and
the day arrived.
"You will have 10 put in an appear.
ance." said Waliic to Gcoffrey Bcliing-
ham during the previous week. "Iou
built the opera house, and deccncy de-
mands it.
"The more reason why not" the arca.
tect replied. IL should have To be intro.
duccd. and don't care for it"
"You will have to come, the other 70.
peated calmly. "Do you want the wo.
man to be disrespoctableE'
ats none OF my business
ut is. A woman is what her asso-
ciates are II respectable people don't
receive her they are to blame if she
cuts up"
"If she were novice-but she's DO
toriousr'
"You affect Phariseeism in imitation
of your Puritan ancestors. But this
poor girl is neither witch nor n Quaker.
Her notoriety comes from her genius;
the rest is mere hearsay which it's none
of your business To attend to. intend
that she shall leave New York without
q spot on her reputation, and you must
bear u hand. Otherwise you're not the
fellow | took ypn for" Wallic knew
8ellingham better and had more inilu
ence over him than any one else, ard
! the end of it was that Bellingham con
! sentcd to come.
There were iess than twenty persons
/ at the dinner. The dining room walls
Were of soft Indian red hue, the wood
work being mahogany and maple. The
/ flowers on the table We're yellow and
( blue. The room was lighted by tinted
wax candles, each provided with littl,
colorrd shade. Everything looked co4l,
1 fresh and sweet. The host and hostess
received their guests in the adjoining
drawing room. BY previous arrange
ment Nile. Mariana and Mrs. BemaS
We're the first to arrive, The diva was
dressed in some thing white. of 1.-the
and fcatbery effect, giving the imprc,.
sion of a beautiful great bird. Hcr
heart was up, for this was her first ir.
revocable step in her assumed personal.
ity. She was high spirited girl, and
having entered upon her course she had
laid aside fear and ilTcsolution.
Whatever she did she would do with
her might, Such vision of purity and
lovelincss as she was did not often en-
ter New York drawing room. She
gave her hand first ia Mrs. Cadualadel
and then to Wallie. The latter graspet
it cordially. and seemed about to say
something, but suddenly checked him
self, and looked at her with an odd. per
picked expression, like man who i.
taken by surprise. Doubtless SO mucl
beauty would be a surprise to any one
After n moments hesitation he said
"I'm glad to welcome you to this coun
try, mademoiselle. 1 hope you will learr
to feel like an American as much as yo,
already look like one"
THANK you if it is American to fee
happy then ! am .one," she answered
and it was observable as she spoke tina
this foreign lady's pronunciation was re
markably accurate. Wallie forbore I,
make the observation, however: he onl,
took his chin between his thumb ant
forefnger with a quietly smiling aook
Mrs. Cadwalader said: What deli
cious lace, Mademoiselle Mariana. It i
like frost work on ivory. Will you TAX
cup,of tea?"
Mile Mariana deckned, and present..
the other guests began to arrive.
There was Mr.. Barcliffe, a wood mer
chant, bnt for social purposes an anna
teur composer. He was small, slender
lively man, with gray hair and an i'm
mense gray mustache, like great ba
across the lower part of his face; be hat
the air of always standing on tiptoe t.
peep ACROSS this bar with sportive
twinkling expression. There was Mr.
Bidgood, a rosy, roistering, spherical
parsonage, bald headed and short O
breath; he smiled at you with pene
trating look, us If there were privat
joke between you and himself which i
would not do to mention.
There was Mr. Grasmere, tall, COURT,
and romantic, with a resonant voice an,
an occasional gleam from beneath hi
upper eyelids, as if his soul were kindlinl
within him. He had been lawyer b,
profession, but had married well, AM
was now the proprietor of an artistic
weekly. There was Mr.. Knight, dis
tinguished politician with fresh com
plexion, clear cut features, powerful
black eyes and snow white hair; hi
bearing was covertly condescending, a
though he were reluctant to have yo,
realize how greatly he was your supe
rior. There was Mr.. Damon, also whit
haired and white bearded, a somewha
unsuccessful publisher, but gifted wit
| a warm henrt a keen wit and n hitfa