The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-27
MRS, HILDYARD'S CHOICE

but it was one of the contest corners IN
town. as Havers had Just remarked. Elmer
ton who had subsidized without resistance
into great armchair. nodded. 1t was ex-
tremely coy, he admitted to himself, but
! it was cozier when Havers was not there.
The two men were waiting for Mrs. Hill
/ dyard. She took certain innocent de-
light in allowing people to cool their heels;
it always gave her touch OF pleasure to
fnd them faithful and still waiting. The
! men always waited; sometimes the women
went away. She did net mind that how
ever She thought very little OF other wo-
mems opinions of her. from which it may
be argued that she was young.
Mrs. Hiidyard was young; she was four
and twenty. and widow. Her husband
had been twice her age-a saturnine. large
man, who made great sums OF money IN
the city. There had never been much love
between them, but there had been LIND
of candid friendship which made the two
years of their married life move smooth
~. When Hildyard died his widow mourn
ed him sincerely; there was never any
question OF heartbreak about it, but her
sorrow was not less genuine because II
permitted her to be perfectly cheerful six
months after his death. But at this time
she had been widow for two years, and
she considered life a very enthralling and
beautiful thing.
Its devilish hot,'' Havers said.
Yes" said Emerton, cycling the other
with watchful care.
81 saw horse down at Hyde Park Cor
ner; the poor brute was clean bowled over
by the heat"
"Its bad enough weather for men" said
Emerton Its killing for horses
Were you at Pettigrew's last night?"
asked Havers.
mo, / couldn't 60; had another engage
ment''
II expected to see Mrs. Hildyard there"
"Ah!" said Emerton, without turning
hair.
At that moment Mrs. Hildyard came In.
She greeated the two men with nicely bal
anced cordially; she appeared glad to see
them both, and made no secret of 1t. When
she sat down to dispense tea they reused
themselves.
What were you discussing when came
n.y. she asked. 'or were you both
asleep"
Il was saying said Havers, that l ex-
pected to see you at the Pettigrew last
night
Il had another engagement she said.
The faintest glance of understanding
passed between her and Emerton. Havers
Intercepted 1t, and then carefully examined
the toe of his boot.
II believe the first night at the Lyceum
was very crowded" he said.
1T was" said Mrs. Hildyard. II was
there. My uncle who is great first
nighter. said he had never seer such a
crush before" Again glance Passed be-
tween Mrs. Hildyard and Emerton; this
time Havers missed it.
Everyone always says that he said
Its become the right thing to say
said Emerton; lit doesn't do anyone any
harm"
Doesn't 1t strike you as foolish to keep
on saying thing that obviously can't be
true2" Havers asked.
No said Emerton. why should it?
The worlds too old to relapse into strict
truthfulness at this time Of day. We're al
ways saying things that obviously can't be
true
"Oh, yes. in other matters. I suppose a
man never looks at woman without say
ing or looking something not quite the
truth; it's always little more or q little
less"
That's quite true" said Mrs. Hildyard. |
"Will you have some more tea, Mr.. Ha-
vers?"
Il don't think it is true Emerton said. |
1T depends on your man.
And on the woman" added Havers.
'In time" said Mrs. Hildyard, you |
might both become philosophers
When man becomes a philosopher"
said Havers, in the slightly sententious
manner that always annoyed Mrs. Hid |
yard, "he is on the verge of dissolution. |
Youth is never philosophical, and what |
good is wisdom to an old man.
It's great deal OF good said Mrs. |
Hildyard. Think of-think of-Herbert |
Spencer" Havers waved deprecatory |
hand
"Herhett Spencer is not philosopher
he said Emerton smiled. and in the pause |
that followed let his eyes rest on Mrs. |
Hildyard.
She was certainly the daintiest of wom-
en-, he thought. She had bird-like poise |
Of head. alert and graceful; a complexion |
that showed the blood as clearly as fine |
porcelain lets through the glimmer Of fire;
her hair had that russell tinge which makes |
a man think vaguely of orchards and open |
air. He was not at ALL sure that Mrs
Hildyard cared greatly for him; her ex-
perience of life seemed SO much broader
than his that he could not be quite sure |
how she regarded him. He was only /
year older than she, that he had no ad-
vantage there. Havers. on the other hand.
had had a more varied life. He had seen
the world under many aspects, he had |
faced dangers coolly he had won the con- |;
fidence of men In high places. And in spite
of certain reservations Emerton admired
and liked him.
by the way" said Emerton, Il have
some tickets for Covent Garden next We'd
nesday. Die interchangeable Reszke.
you know. I thought, Mrs. Hildyard, that
perhaps you'd like to 60"
II should love it, said Mrs. Hildyard.
But it's for next Wednesday. You have
already engaged to go to the Haymarket
with me and Colonel Oliver said Havers
quietly
The faintest blush rose to Mrs. Hid
yards cheeks.
"of course" she said. Forgive me for
forgetting. Then I'm afraid ! must miss
Die Meistersinger' this time, Mr.. Elmer
ton"
Emerton bowed and played with his cup.
He felt that Havers had scored. and he
could not grudge him a temporary victory.
IF you are very anxious to hear De
Reszke again this season., said Havers,
after pause. pray cancel your engage
nent with me and CO.
Emertor glanced at him quickly: tie
nan was perfectly sincere. Emerton felt
hat Havers had scored again; he began 10
,ave a generous admiration for him. He
consulted his own heart and found that he
would not have so unselfsh a regard for
lis lady's happiness.
DE Reske will be singing again" he
iaid. land Mrs. Hildyard can arrange an
,ther evening. The Haymarket closes on
Thursday; 1t would be a pity to miss the
nance. 1t cost him an effort to say this,
md he did not look at Mrs. Hldyard as he
poke.
ht,,I, - Iii,
,agement with you!" Mrs. Hildgard said
q Hayery decidedly