The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-09

SingtOn, which had been furnished during
their absence, partly under Evelyn's super
vision, who had contributed two or three
handsome presents towards the adornment of
the house.
CHAPTER III.
Mrs. Vereker'' announced the smart par
lor maid, opening Mrs. Ernescliffe's drawing
room with the air of footman; and Lilias,
looking her loveliest in a poem of tea
gown, rose nerVouSly Evelyn Vereker
came in.
The brides swift glance enclosed the whole
Wcman-that is, the outward woman-the
beautiful features the rich curling hair the
creamy skin, the noble bearing and graceful
movement, as well as the dress; the picture
hat OF black lace, with a single spray of
red rosebuds in it; the artistic gown of black
lace over white, with a single damask rose in
the corsage, bringing sweet scent with it
into the pretty room.
Evelyn took the initiative with practised
ease and perfect tact, for it was plain Lilias
was too much embarrassed to offer the well
come which should have come from her
Il need not introduce myself, need II" Mrs
Vereker said, holding out her hand, with her
bright vivid smile. II hope I am not too
early caller.
mo, indeed" said Lilias, touched and
pleased by the frank and cordial greeting. II
am SO glad to see you, Mrs. Vereker! I am
SO sorry Mr.. Ernescffe is out!''
I Poor Lilias! She ought to have said
Gerard orF.my husband"
Evelyn answered, laughing
oh! he will hold. 1t was you I came to
see. How do you like the house. the stua-
ton, and all the rest of it?'
'Oh, very much indeed" said Lilias
reseating herself rather awkwardly, and I'M
comfortably conscious that her tea-gown had
fallen into a wrong fold.
Evelyn, on the other hand sank into chair
with indescribable grace.
And thank you so much for all your kind
ness" the young wife added, with real earn
estness.
"Oh! don't speak Of that I was very
pleased to do anything. am so glad you like
the house You have an old friend of mine
living opposite-Mrs. Gentan. daresay you
have heard of her?"
Yes; 1 think 1 remember my husband
mentioning her. said Lilas. "She is very
fond of flowers, isn't she? she added, by a
happy inspiration
"Ohi she is a famous foriculturist Ouite
an authority on blush roses, and that sort of
thing. 1 am afraid I love flowers rather in
Lady Teazle's fashion. I like to have them
always about me; but I don't know much
about them. Do you?'
only a little; but I owe to see them. Will
you have some tea, Mrs. Vereker?"
Thanks" and Lilias rang the bell, won
oering what she should say next
But Evelyn came to the rescue, talking
brightly and easily. never out of Lilias depth,
and getting more out of her than, probably
any other woman could have done.
Even them however. it was uphill work.
Lilias could not keep up conversation;
Evelyn had to keep it going for herself and
her hostess like the sleight- of-hand perform
er who keeps two balls going at time; if
she had dropped, there have been an awful
pause
And, all the time, the visitor was taking
the measure" Of the young wife-in no un-
friendly spirit, but the contrary.
That Lilias was lovely, there could be no
manner of doubt; lovely enough to almost
excuse Ernescliffe's surrender to her; but that
she would keep what she had captured, or
ever have gained more than the counterfeit
of the love Ernescliffe was capable of be-
slowing, Evelyn saw was impossible.
She might have marvelled-only that she
knew how inexplicable is the nature of the
male half of humanity-that such a man as
Geard Ernescliffe could be led away even by
this loneliness to overlook the mental Short
comngs of the charming bourgeoise, and her
many failipgs from the standpoint of gen.
tility.
That mincing speech, with its half-formed
words its cockney twang-not broad, but I'M
mistakab le-on the vowels,, it's frequent in
correct turns or phrase, the hopelessly-at-
fault tone of thought which came out con-
stently and unconsciously, the essentially
bcurgeoise way Of looking at everything.
Would anything alter these radical defects
though speech might improve, and even the
laugh take another tone?
II Lilias had been clever woman. there
might be more hope; but she was not clever
she was too lovely to be clever" Evelyn