The morning times., 1897-02-14

had been eating, and the women had ''re
Iaxed' in accordance with the latest and
most approved theory Of rest.
How do you manage to greet every in
dividual with so much personal enthusiasm
that he is convinced that his absence would
have spoiled your pleasure? And how can
YOU appear as creme as if your confidence
In maids and caterers could not possibly be
abused"" Mrs Mitchell had asked.
''Oh, ] really am glad to see every
body, and as for the serenity, 1 make
every possible preparation beforehand,
and then, when l have corralied Charles
and made sure that he viii not appear in
q smoking jacket and a straw hat, and
have taken nly place to receive my guests,
] leave everything 10 providence. l wash
ny hands of the whole matter. Il is no
longer my reception. OF course l some
times wonder if the orchestra can be heard
above the din OF if the women are getting
anything TO eat, but only in languid, i'm
personal sort Of way
Yes, the wife OF Tarquinius Superbus
was not more serene when she was driving
her chariot wheels over her fathers re-
mains as she rode in triumph toward the
Esquiline hill TO meet her husband.'
That : marital privilege. You mustn't
mind Charles. He is only trying to get
even tor being forced TO assume the virtue
ofcivilization for few hours And Mrs.
Van ora affected an air Of inpudent
langu0r.
Her brother said nothing. He watched
his pretty sister with IN indulgent air,
wondering gravely where she, whom lie
remembered as an unsophsticated lit
tie country girl, had Captured her air
of perfect ease and sef-possession. He
himself was not yet adjusted
Years ago hc had left his quiet vii
Iage home, and since that time had been
taught by severe experience the value
and responsibility of life lie had lived
seriously, and tie flutter and frvolity,
tie sham and usclessness, Of the social
world would puzzle him. 1t helped no
one-and how could it interest or amuSe
grown up people?
Perhaps he could adopt it, as
Jeanne had done e-she took il as nat
urally as a duck to water--but he was too
tall to bend gracefully over "A lady's hand,
lis feet were too big and clumsy for dane
ing and his mind too slow and grave for
society persifage.
Even the authors discussed were almost
unknown to him, and his familiar COM
panions, HerrIck and Shakespeare and
Lamb and others, We're scarcely admitted
10 the chained circle. He was h0pelessly
old fashioned, distdnced. He was pain
fully conscious of all this tonight, Tor of
late to this locker on in Venice the gen
eral spectacle had begun TO focus. Recep
tioIIs and dinners were beginning TO mean
In her presence he was never reminded of
his awkwardness or ms ignorance of So
cial obserya noes.
Her smile always welcomed him. and
somehow among the cotcrieo of her admirers
there was always room for him, but the
more she favored him with her sincere
interest, the more he looked into her beau
tiful face and saw the soul made pure by
sorrow shining from her eyes, the more he
withdrew, as from one too fair and good
for him.
He knew her history They had beea
friends from childhood. He knew that,
mercifully released by death from the
bonds OF a marriage which had been n
tragedy TO her, she could not again as
sumo the risk Of such ties. He felt that
she could never again trust her peace and
been wrecked. What was he that he should
hope she would ever regard himl n the light
of one nearer than a faithful friend? He
forced himself to wear the armor OF re-
ticence and forInaHty Tonight she was
more charming, more sincere, more inn
possible. than ever.
The conversation had turned, apropos
of nothing. TO st. Valentine day, which
came on the morrow.
Holidays and all sweet observances'
have either lapscd or been relegated to
the nursery. The world is growing old.
Corydon once hung branches Of blossom
ing hawthorn over Phyllis door Stalwart
lads and dainty lasses tTipped il round the
May pole Dignified ladies and gentlemen,
married as well as single. chose their val
entines, and We're loyal to them, too, for
the whole year. And think Of the valeu-
tines Of our grandmothersl They were
not only works of art, but represented
hours of patient, loving toll. Now how is
It? Mere babies, who should know nothing
whatever OF the little god with the bow,
have usurped to themselves all these
pretty rites of love. Who ever gets Il real
valentine nowadays? Nobodyi''
There was silence for a moment after
Mrs. Van Orms rather energetic TRADE
Then Mrs Mitchell spoke, with little air
of embarrassment:
II am q living refutation OF your state.
rnent, for /, even /, have received a valen.
tine, real one, after ] was quite beyond
little girlhood, though that was a good
many years ago. And the world has GER
tainIy aged great deal SINCE she added
sadly. 1t came from my first lover,
whom did not ove-then--because hadn't
sense enough Girls rarely DO have sense