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

nj me o'clock! We will now be-
IN hold the animals parade" muir
Gnured 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 a bore How do
look?"
"a touch of rouge, my dear, would
assist the ensemble. Pallor is sup
posed to be interesting and sounds
well in books and things. But in
zeal life it's apt to be pasty-looks
like disordered liver or love or some
thing"
Betty! You are atrocious!"
Mrs. Stanard picked up a little sill
yer box and delicately applied a touch
of rose-bloom to her cheeks. Mrs.
Weston stretched her blue satin Slip
pers toward the bright CRATE fire with
a luxurious little wriggle. but her
eyes, blue as the slippers, never left
her hostess face. They narrowed
shrewdly as Mrs. Stanard leaned close
70 the tapers.
sleeping well-hm? Don't care
whether school keeps and all the
rest of it? Won't do, my dear. Ruin
'ous TO the complexion. Cut it out"
Il 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
''AIy dear it is absolutely impossible
50 express ones self in the queens
English nowadays. 1t is good form,
of course, but inadequate Awfully
fnadequate. The factory girl says in
"A sentence what good form takes a
chapter to express. And even then
ths factory girl has the best of it.
What are you fretting about?"
Nothing"
Mrs. Weston eleyates her artistical-
~ penciled eyebrows and thoughtful
ty 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 chevaI glass
and drops her head on her arms.
After carefully counting the pearl
clasps three times Mrs Weston mods
satisfied manner, then allows her
'eyes to travel up the. long lace train
ill 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 9:15."
She looks sharply at the listless face
in the mirror, then rises with a little
frou-frou of silken petticoats and gets
q glass of wine from a cabinet.
Drink, pretty creature, drink. I
don't dare, for it always makes my
nose red, That fact alone has saved
NE from the gold cure. For if there's
anything I enjoy it's the wine when
it is red. And l could like Omar di-
vorce barren reason without a uualm.
But my complexion! Especially one S
nose. And now, Mrs Stanard if yor
do not want your guests to 90 home
in a dudgeon, minus hostess and tenn
per, it behooves you to make yoer
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 languorous 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
chat touch of personal interest that
aSooths 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
seiroop at her breast and as she unfast-
ems them she presses the thorny stems
hard against the soft flesh for mo-
nent. \ sharp pain is relief from a
dull ache, sometimes. And she smiles
oddly as she drops the dead flowers be-
bind her and pulls the frosty lace a
little higher where one Thorn has
marred the skin.
Il missed you last night. You did
not go to hear Calve."
4 tall man with a dark. strong face
was bending over he's. The fac@ was
200 grim to be handsome. 1t was heav-
dly lined and the eyes were deep-set,
Keen, reticent.
"Another engagement. Ana it was
Carmen? l was so sorry"
Smiling, she gives him her hand q
Snoment and lifts her eyes to his.