Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-10-10

I'M me o'clockl We will now be-
IN hold the animals parade" muir
INJURED Mrs. Stanley Weston. glancing
at the little gold clock that had just
announced the hour with musical self
satisfaction.
Don't be rude, Betty. They're my
guests-if they are bore. How do
I look?"
"A touch OF rouge, my dear. would
assist the ensemble. Pallor Is sup
posed 10 be interesting and sounds
well in books and things. But in
real life it's apt TO be pasty-looks
like disordered liver or love or some
thing"
Betty You are atrociousl"
Mrs. Stanard picked up little sill
yer box ard ielicately applied Il touch
of rose-bloom 10 her cheeks. Mrs.
Weston stretched her blue satin slip
prs toward the bright CRATE fire with
luxurious little wriggle but her
eyes, blue MS the slippers, never left
her hostess face. They narrowed
shrewdly as Mrs. Stanard leaned close
TO the tapers.
"a little morel That's better. Not
sleeping well-hm? Don't care
whether school keeps and all the
rest OF IL? Won't do, my dear. Ruin
Gus TO the complexion. Cut IL out"
81 wish you would not use that
abominable slang You talk like some
factory girl Mrs. stanard put the
silver box back on her dressing table
with weary little gesture and the
blue eyes narrowed again.
my dear, It is absolutely impossible
20 express ones self In the queens
English nowadays. II is good form,
Of course, but inadequate. Awfully
inadequate. The factory girl says in
a sentence what good form takes
chapter 10 express. And even then
the factory girl has the best OF IL.
What are you fretting about?"
Nothing"
Mrs. Weston elevates her artistical-
ly penciled eyebrows and thoughtful
ly pats the pearl clasps on her long
suede gloves with one finger. The
other folds her arms on the silver
Cupid frame OF her tall chewal glass
and drops her head on her arms.
After carefully counting the pearl
clasps three times Mrs. Weston mods
In satisfied manner, then allows her
eyes to travel up the long lace train
till they reach the bare shoulders and
still, bowed head.
THAT pose is very graceful and
fetching, cherie," she says cheerfully.
but it's wasted. There's no one here
but me. And It's g;i6."
She looks sharply at the listless face
In the mirror, then rises with a little
frou-frou Of silken petticoats and gets
glass OF wine from cabinet.
Drink, pretty creature, drink.
don't dare, for IL always makes my
nose red. That fact alone has saved
me from the gold cure. For II there's
anything | enjoy it's tho wine when
II Is red, And | could, like Omar, di-
vorce barren reason without n qualm.
But my complexionl Especially ones
nose. And now, Mrs, Stanard, II you
do not want your guests to go home
In dudgeon, minus hostess and tenn
per, IL behooves you 70 make your
presence material In the drawing
room And | do not propose to waste
this new gown on the desert air any
longer, Come on"
A little later and white lace and
blue velvet are surrounded by light
and color the sweeping gowns Of
fair women and the black coats Of
the men as contrast. The air Is soft
and languoruus with the odor of hot
house flowers, and through the hum
OF cultured voices creep the faint
strains OF distant string instruments.
Mrs. Stanard's face Is serene and
slightly smiling, and her voice has Just
that touch OF personal interest that
sooths and attracts, as she greets each
OF her guests with perfect tact. Her
eyes dark and tranquil, pass from face
to face and tell nothing. The hours
pass and find her still smiling, inter
ested, unwearied. Only the flowers
droop at her breast and as she unfast
ems thom she presses the thorny stems
hard against the soft flesh FOR mo
ment A sharp pain is relief from
dull ache, sometimes. And she smiles
oddly as she drops the dead flowers be.
hind her and pulls the frosty lace a
little higher where one thorn has
marred the skin.
81 missed you last night You did
not go to hear Calve."
A tall man with dark. strong face
was bending over her. The face was
too grim to be handsome, 1t was heav.
lily lined and the eyes were deep-set.
keen, reticent.
"Another engagement And Il was
Garment was so sorry"
. Smiling, she gives him her hand a
moment and lifts her eyes To his.