The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-04-25

er the crush, don't you know"
He smiles with whimsical entreaty,
and she mods assent as she passes him
on to Mrs. Weston and turns to the
guests that follow. Mrs. Weston gives
him both small hands with frank gen.
erosity, and with strategic movement
brings him into position slightly be-
hind her own plump shoulder and I'M
der big palm tree that shadows them
both.
''You stay there. I want to tell you
story.-Dear Mrs. Fitz Haven! So
delighted! Yes, looks charming, does
she not?-There was once a man and
woman who loved each other. They
had average sense in most things, but
he was Jealous and she was proud
Mrs. Northrop and dear Lillian! So
afraid you were not coming. Yes, aw-
fully warm.-She had some good looks
and some old beaux. Why not? Did
he think nobody could appreciate her
till he met her? And after he had
deigned to tell her that he looked upon
her with favor. one of the old beaux,
who had hoped to win her for long
time, met her in the conservatory at a
ball. They always do meet in conserva-
tories in stories.-What a sweet gown,
Mrs. Talcott. Imported, of course!
You lucky woman!-0ld cat! She owes
my modiste an awful bill. Where was
|? Oh, and he, the man, saw the old
beau crush her in his arms and kiss
her. She couldn't help it, and besides,
she felt sorry for him, for she had just
told him a final no and he was all cut
up.-Mr. Hasbrouck, the pink gown
that you are straining your eyes to find
in this Kaleidoscope is in the tea-room.
Don't mention it!-Well, and he, of
course. would not ask for an eXplana-
ton or anything, and courteously re-
leased her. Oh, well, she released him,
if you think it sounds better. Same
thing. But a woman who is not dense
can feel that something is wrong and
does not need wall to-er-does not
have to be told some things.-Where'
that big husband of yours. Marion?
I'll pick you up tomorrow and we'll
drive to the club together. l want to
talk over that nomination. It's all
wrong, you know. Club'll 90 to pieces
under that woman! All right, dear.
At three.-And he found that his ieal-
ousy was a poor substitute for the
woman who was the one woman in the
world for him, and she smiled proudly
and bravely like a gentlewoman. and
ate her heart out in secret. Keep
quiet! It's my story. And then some
body, who had no patience with the
two of them. but who felt sorry and
was soft enough to interfere, because
things got mixed in her own life snce
and were rot cleared till it was too
late-she put her oar in and tried to
prevent another shipwreck.-Yes, Mrs.
Trevelyan is here, Mr.. Trevelyan. No,
I missed Saturdays game. My new
golf suit was not finished. And it's so
cold and look fright when I'm cold.
Of course, you enthusiasts will play all
winter, | suppose.-Thank the pow
ers, they've nearly all gone. This con-
versational strain on my intellect is
awful. Society talk is harder than
Ibsen and Tolstoi. Get Kate a glass of
wine. The Huntleigh girls and Maud
Norris want to talk art class with me
in the tearoom. That means half an
hour, at least"
Mrs. Stanard turned to the tall
man bending over her. with the smile
faint on her lips and the eyes strained
and weary.
"Yes, [ am tired" she said. mo, 1
do not want anything, only to rest a
moment. The heat has made me dizzy.
Where is Betty?"
Betty is in the tea-room," he said.
''She is talking cooking-school, or medi-
eval art, or something of equally vital
Importance with Miss Norris and the
Misses Huntleigh. Betty told me
story about a conservatory this even
ing. viii you let me take you there
now? / want to tell it to you. 1t is
quite interesting. You look very tired.
Comet"
In the conservatory he placed her in
a long, low chair, and she sank back
with a long sigh of relief. The mA1 at
her side leaned forward with his ell
bows on his knees. Slowly closing and
opening her little empire fan, and in
a steady voice, he told her Mrs. Yves
tons story.
Then he turned and looked at hef
pale face with his searching eyes.
81 was wrong-utterly wrong" he
said, slowly. But have suffered sore
ly. Can you forgive me. You are great
enough-for that?"
A keen anxiety vibrated through the
quiet strength of the low tones, and
the fan fell to the floor with a little
clash of the ivory sticks as he bowed
his head on her hands, lying motionless
in her lap-and waited.
She looked down at him with a great
usefulness, and then gently lifted his
head till his eyes met hers.
eyes. we have both suffered. dear"
she said. "And it was all so useless!
But at such a time a woman can dc
nothing. Her hands are tied. You
doubted me-and when a woman is
doubted, she can but be silent To ex.
cuse is to accuse To enter defense is
but to add to her indignity. You doubt.
ed me, and | forgive you, because, so
doubling, your pain was greater even
than mine. And you will doubt again
All, yes!" laying her fingers on his
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