The San Francisco call., 1904-11-20

one terrible example-the Courtlands;
but when il comes TO throwing things
about, the case is admittedly abnormal.
For the rest they seemed, to the stu
dent Of matrimony, fair average SAM
pies Of a bulk Of fair average merit.
Perhaps there might have been an ideal
union-just to counterbalance the
Courtlands at the other extreme II
such were desirable, let 1t be hoped
that the Imasons themselves would
supply il. In regard to one point she
decided, the company was really above
the average-and that was the most
important point There had been rumors
once about Christine Fanshaw-indeed
they were still heard sometimes; but
scandal had never assailed any other
woman there. In these days that was
something, thought Mrs. Raymore.
Grantley turned from Christine Fan
shaw 10 his hostess.
You're very silent. What are you
thinking about?" he asked.
'SibyIla's really beautiful, and in q
rather unusual way. You might pass
her over once; but If you did look
once you'd be sure to look always"
Another woman's looks have kept
your attention all this timer"
Your wife" she reminded him
with affectionately friendly glance.
And I was wondering what she
thought of US all. what we all look
like in those pondering, thoughtful,
questioning eyes Of hers"
Her eyes do ask questions, don't
they?" laughed Grantley.
Many. many, and must have an
swers. 1 should think. And don't they
expect good answers?"
"Oh, she's not really at all alarm
ing"
You can make the eyes say some
thing different, dare say?"
He laughed again very contentedly.
Mrs. Raymore's admiration pleased
him, since she was not very easy her
self to please. He was glad she ap-
proved Of Sibylla, though as a rule
his own opinion was enough for him.
We'll. they aren't always question
ing. That would be fatiguing in a
wife-really as bad as continually dis
cussing the Arian heresy, as old John
son says. But 1 daresay." he lowered
his voice, Lady Harriet would excite
a query or two"
you've told me nothing about
out for myself"
That's the only knowledge worth
having; and I'm only learning myself
still, you know"
Really. that's an unusually just
frame of mind for a husband I've
high hopes of you. Grantley."
Good Because you know me un-
commonly we'll"
She thought a moment.
No, not so very we'll" she said.
You're hard 10 know"
He took that as a compliment;
probably most people would, since It
seems TO hint at something rare and
out of the common; inaccessibility has
an aristocratic flavor.
"Oh, 1 suppose we all have our
Businesses he said with a laugh
which politely waived any claim to
superiority without expressly aban-
doning 1T.
'Dosen't one give up the key of the
gates by marrying?"
My dear Kate, read your Blue
beard again!"
Mrs. Raymore relapsed into the si-
lence that was almost habitual to her,
but it passed through her mind that
the conversation had soon turned from
Sibylla to Grantley himself, or at least
had dealt with Sibylla purely in her
bearing on Grantley; 1t had not In
creased her knowledge of Mrs. Ina
son as an independent individual.
Wen, with business what il is"
said Fanshaw in his loud voice-a
voice THAI had a way of stopping other
peoples voices-"we must cut it down
somewhere"
"Oh. you're as rich as Croesus, Fan
shaw" objected young Blake.
I'm losing money every day. Chris
tine and 1 were discussing 1t as we
drove here"
Il like your idea of discussion,
John" remarked Christine in her deli
cate tones, generally touched with sar-
casm. 4 couldn't open my lips"
He closured you, and then threw
He almost stripped my gown from
my back and made an absolute clutch
at my diamonds"
Il put forward the reasonable view"
Fanshaw insisted rather heatedly.
What I said was, begin with superfiu-
tiles"
Are clothes, superfuities? interject-
ed Christine. watching the gradual
flushing Of her husbands face with
mischievous pleasure.
Nothing is superfiuous that is beau
tiful," said Selford; he lisped slightly.
and spoke with an affected air. I'VE
should retrench in the grosser pleasures
eating and drinking, display, large
houses"
Peculiar dobs?" suggested Blake,
chatting Mrs. Selford.
"Oh, but they are beautiful" she
cried.
"Horses!" said CHRISTINE, with sharp
pointed emphasis. You should really
be guided by Mr.. Selford, John"
Every husband should be guided by
another husband That's axiomatic,' .
said Grantley.
I'm quite content with my own, .
smiled Mrs. Selford. Dick and I al
ways agree"
They must be fresh from a row."
Tom Courtland whispered surlly to
Mrs. Raymore.
About money matters the mans
voice must in the nature Of things be
final" Fanshaw insisted. It's obvi-
Gus. He knows about it; he makes
it
quite enough for him to do" Chris
tine interrupted. "At that point we
step in-and spend IT."
Division of labor? Quite right,
Mrs. Fanchaw," laughed Blake. And
# any Of you can't manage your de-
partment, I'm ready to help"
"They can manage that department
right enough" Fanshaw grumbled IF
we could manage them as well as they
manage that" He took a great
gulp of champagne, and grew still red
Io- he ri Cbrfcffpasc coornft,l