The Meeker herald., 1901-07-13

Won. But I was philosophical over the
delay, us thought II came late you
might permit me to stay awhile. Aft
er the crush. don't you know"
He smiles with whimsical entrenty.
and she Eods assent as she passes him
on to Mrc. Weston and turno to the
guests that follow. Mrs. Weston give.
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
q story.-Dear Mrs. Fitz Haven! Sc
delighted! Yes, looks charming. doet
she not?-There was once 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! Sc
afraid you were not coming. Yes. aw.
fully warm.-She had some good look.
and some old beanx. 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 beauN
who had hoped to win her for long
time, met her in the conservatory Mt q
ball. They always do meet in conserva.
tories in stories,-What sweet gown
Mrs. Talcott. Imported. of course!
You lucky woman!-O.d cat. She owei
my modistc an awful bill. Where was
I? Oh, and he. the man. saw the old
beau crush her in his arms and kist
her. She couldn't help It. and besides
she felt sorry for him. for she had just
told him final no and he was AL 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.
tion or anything, and conrteously re.
leased her. Oh, well. she released him
II you think it sounds better. Same
thing. But woman who is not dense
can feel that something is wrong and
does not need a wall to-er-t1Oes not
have to be tod some thinga.-Where's
that big husband of yours, Mnrioni
I'll pick you up tomorrow and we'll
drive to the club together. wan. to
talk over that nomination. It's all
wrong. you know. Club'll go to pieces
under that woman! All right. dear
At three.-And he found that his jeal.
ousy was n poor substitute for the
woman who was the one woman in the
world for him. and she smiled proudly
and brave!y like gentlewomun. and
ate her heart out in secret. Keer
quiet! It's my story. And then some.
body. who had no patience with the
two of them. hut who felt oorry and
was soft enough to interfere. becnuse
things got mixed in her own life once
and were not cleared till 1t WINS toe
lAte-she put her oar in and tried tc
prevent another Ehipwrcck.-Yes, Mrs
Trevelyan h here, Mr.. Trevclyan. No.
l missed Saturdays game. Ny new
roll suit was not finished. And It's %
.eol4 xnd I look . fright when I'm cod
OF course, you enthusiasts will pIay al
winter. suppossi-Thank the pow.
sers, they've nearly all gone. This con-
versational strain ON my intellect lie
awful. Society talk is harder than
lbsen and Tolstoi. Get Kate glass OF
wine. The Huntleigh girls and Maud
Norris want to talk art class with me
In the tea-room. That means half an
hour. at least"
Mrs. Stanard turned to the tai
man bending over her. with the smile
faint on her lips and the eyes strained
and weary.
AXES, am tired" she said. mo, ]
do not want anything, only to rest
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 vita,
Importance with Miss Norris and the
Misses Huntleigh. Betty told me
story about conservatory this even
ing. VIII you let me take you there
now? l want to tell 1t to you. 1t is
quite interesting. You look very tired
Comet"
In the conservatory he placed her in
= long, low chair, and she sank back
with long sigh of relief. The man at
her side leaned forward with his ell.
bows on his knees. Slowly closing ano
opening her little empire fan. and ir
a steady voice, he told her Mrs. Wes-
tons story.
Then no turned and looked at her
pale face with his searching eyes.
~ 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 little
clash Of the ivory sticks. as he bowed
his head on her hands. lying motionless
in her lap-and waited.
She looked down Mt him with great
wistfulness. and then gently lifted hi.
head till his eyes met hers.
Eyes. We have both suffered. DEAR
she said. "And It was all SO useless!