New-York tribune., 1901-09-22

Kettle myself. Where did I get those roses?
fes Aren't they perfectly lovely? One never
sees roses like that, l always say except in Lon
don ana you're going TO have half Of them.
Mr.. Chisholm sent them to That's because
he's an American, for he hardly knows al
all. but in America II seems it's the proper thing
to DO And / call il a very pleasant habit. don't
you? Who s he? Oh, a business friend OF
Hugh's. Awfully nice, but little too fond Of
talking business But then Hugh encourages
him, for there's an American boom on at present
and financial people are much agitated. But il
seems that Mr.. Chisholm doesn't always talk
railways in the aggravating way he does just
now"
Dollie certainly thought that Mr.. Chishom's
conversation might have been more interesting
than il actually proved to be when he. tall,
spare, loose jointei elderly" of about
thirty. came round to the 1at to accompany
them to the Cecil. she could not find word
in it worth remembering to tell Mumsia.
Yet he brought with him the very latest edi-
ton Of The Westminster in which paper
there was, for stock brokers' cataclysmic news.
And out of the fulness Of his heart ne could not
refrain from speaking Of this news to Somers.
who, himself d stock broker. equally moved
and interested.
Remembering every now and then 10 apollo
giZe humbly 70 Mrs. Somers and Miss MaSsnS-
ham, Chisholm discussed the situation in the
drawing room while the ladies drew on their
gloves: discussed it again in the brougham
they drove along Nictoria-st. to the strand, and
discussed il anew they took their seats in the
white and gold palatial apartment in which
they to dine and whenever he seemed dis
posed let the ball lie SOmers gave it another
animating kick
1t astonshed Dollie that they could talk so
DULY of things so far removed from the dazzling
scene about them where the electric lights. the
glitterinG glass and silver. the jewels. silks.
bare shoulders and cleaning arms seemed less
like real life than fairYland, that even Kitty
seemed to take her surroundings matter Of
course. And when the band, up in the alcove
at the end of the hall. began \ soft prelude by
Gries she had to crush her hands tight together
in her lap to subdue the pl assure which warmed
her blood like wine.
Meanwhile. he bewildeIinG, futile mascu-
line conversation went on unCeas4 4ngiy. and
with a view to HuMsie she studied the artistic
arrangement Of the hors d'u.uyres now being
handed her by waiter. s3ft-foot-i as a cat
the first time the drift OF her brother-ia-IaU's
words
He was urging Chisholm to Ct out of some
thing or other. and the American WAS seeking
TO reassurr him, was trying to prove to hon
that on the contrary. he ought to hold on.
"Old Waller pat lne on it, said he. "and YOU
know what waller was Ike. porr u.d boy Now
with stocks Jumping like Ji.is l ought to Ice .tJI-
10 clear half rli loH dollars Then Ia give up
consciously To DcIlie's sweet little face. and
settle down in one Of your nice green. sleepy
park places ever after. ] cant imagine = more
deHciously peaceful life"
If Waller alive now he'd tell YOU to
sell" Hugh insisted There's no sound com
mercial basis TO the thing. It's bound to burst
once Priczed it'll go like an air ball. Get out
while there's time
Wonder if poo- old Waller stiI takes an in
terest IN the markets." said Chisholm reflective
ly. I can't somehow see him happy If he
doesn't Wish he'd show me what to DO now.
You're such a croaker, SOmers, that though