The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-20

when Mrs. Hildyards pretty brows were
wrinkled with thought, Colonel Oliver en-
tered the room. He was Mrs Hildyards
uncle, who managed to pass a very easy
and comfortable existence in the not I'M
Pheasant task of steering his niece
through the shoals of young widowhood.
Ills theory of life was of the simplest-to
trust no woman, to look upon every man
as possible enemy, and to treat all enc
mics, for diplomatic purposes, as friends.
hls practice was otherwise, for he trust
ed all women like child: he was simple
and tender In his friendship. and he had
not an enemy in the world. Old Oliver
was, indeed. the easiest of guardians,
and any man might have made love to
Mrs. Hiid ord under his very nose with
out his being conscious Of It.
Who are your visitors?" he asked.
She told him.
They come here pretty often. don't
they?"
Not oftener than other people,"
All" he said. IL like EN- both.
Havers is clever: Emerton dasned pleas
ant I've thought once or twice they
were getting rather fond of you, Nellie"
My dear uncle, you're always think
Ing the most foolish things
II don't blame 'em, dear child. II I were
young man and not your uncle, should
want TO marry you: I'm not sure that
you could be trusted more than any other
woman But If people will marry they
might do worse"
Mrs. Hildyard was thinking again, and
hardly heard what colonel was saying.
Don't forget" she said. that on We'd
nesday we're to go TO the Haymarket
with Mr.. Havers. And do remember to
put on new shirt. not one of those old,
old things you're so fond Of"
They were good enough in my day.
he Rrnmbip1 ''Rnt IL remind me
again on Tuesday l will see about it."
And you might let me have my dia-
monds for that evening" she said. lie
opened his eyes and looked at her from
under inquiring brows, but he was too
wise to question her.
Emerton did not hurry matters. but by
Wednesday evening he had worked him
self up to such pitch of excitement
that there was nothing for 1t but TO get
into a hansome and drive 20 the theater.
He was rather late. but by good fortune
he secured stail, and took his place in
a rapidly filling house. The orchestra was
half through the overture, and before he
could discover Mrs. Hildyard the lights
were down and the curtain up. He be-
gan to feel uncomfortable; perhaps she
had repented. after all. and had not
come. just as she had escaped from the
Pettigrews to go to the Lyceum with
him and the obedient colonel Perhaps
she had been expecting him to call and
renew his offer; perhaps by this time she
was very angry with him; perhaps she
had chosen to put him out of her mind
altogether. and ne and all his hopes were
to be cast adrift. He looked at the stage
vacantly, as man in muse looks
vaguely at a picture; only detached
phrase here or there made any impress
sion on his brain, and when the end OF
the first act came he rose YEARLY to go
out All at once, however. he sat down
again. fully alive. Two rows in front of
him he had caught sight of Mrs Hid
Yards beautiful and animated profile;
on her left sat Col. oliver, on her right
Havers. An ironic conversation between
two gentlemen in tho gallery caused her
TO turn around She saw Emerton. rec
ognized him with a little bow and flicker
of the eyelids, and went on talking quiet
ly TO Havers. Havers, on his part, was
speaking very earnestly: the tense atti-
tude of his shoulders indicated enort
At intervals he glanced at his companion
like one who wishes covertly to witness
the effect of a story on his auditor. En-
erton felt uncomfortable. He could not
hear word of what passed between
them, but he had rather the feeling OF
an cavesdropper.
But he waited to the end Of the second
act, and then TO the end OF the third.
Mrs Hildyard looked particularly bril-
liant that night: the desire of the moth
for the star was strong in him. He was
not Jealous Of Havers; he only envied
him his seat. that was all. 1t was fair
game and he was prepared to play II
sduarely. He wondered how Havers was
cultivating his opportunity-cleverly, he