Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-13
Chapter XVIII.

Chapter XVIII.
1t was the old story of the moth and the
candle, with the trifiing variation that
the candle, in this instance, was also
passionate devotee of the moth, and so
made himself more than ever fascinating.
1t was with peculiar commingling Of
repulsion and attraction that l allowed
the Count de Beauvais to bend his lips
to my hand in my own house the next
day. strikingly handsome man of COM
handing presence, his bold yet soft black
eyes seemed to draw my very soul to his.
strange impulse to flee from him strug
gled with the charm he exercised, but
with his first words I was powerless and
remembered my duties as hostess.
Madame Jacqueminot," he murmured,
in his melodious voice, to which the mer-
est suggestion of an accent lent added
charm, Il am your humble slave I do my
homage to the representative of modern
American womanhood"
And 1 accept it in that purely imper-
Sonal way" l retorted regaining control
of myself. Modern Americas woman
hood should be proud to receive the hon.
age of Europe's honored aristocracy. And
now sit down, pray, and tell me how you
were impressed with the woman's club
movement"
LAS displayed last night at the Audito-
RUM" he answered ensconcing himself in
my big Morris chair by the open fire, lit was
most wonderful; it is the combination of all
the graces that have characterized woman
hood from the time Of Mother Eve, with the
modern spirit of American democracy and
of-of-what you call the new-woman spirit.
/ like not that term, but it covers my mean
ing-n'est ce pas vrai?"
Yes l retorted, smiling, land thank
you. For even the most aggressive new wo-
in harf 1,o
oid-t1me graces. But l do not like the
term new woman either. Women are not
different today from Mother Eve. 1t is only
that our environments are different. and
that we are making them still more differ
emit"
1.-The beautiful Jacqueminot sends out
more widespread and powerful fragrance
than the old-time wild rose he observed,
without taking his gaze from the glowing
Goals. we men of the old aristocracy are
poWeriess to resist your magical atmos-
phere. and so you have it all your own
way, as you say over here"
His voice was melody personifed, and as
he talked on l. too. was transported into
different atmosphere-one heavy with rich
perfumes and enticing music, and encom-
passed with soft whirlpool of dreams
This was not the practical wife of hust-
ling business man. l was some princess of
the realm surrounded with oriental luxury
and reveling in the alteration of her royal
lover. And although we talked only of the
most prosaic subjects, there is no know
ing where 1t would have ended if at the
close of an hour DR.. Haven had not been
ushered in, bringing us both back to the
present everyday world of Chicago The
talk became general and the count soon
withdrew, leaving me alone with Philip
And how do you like the count?" asked
after a short silence.
capable Frenchman enough" was the
rather ungracious reply. But"
We'll! But me your but if YOU must :"
responded gaily.
Women in your position cannot be too
particular, you know" he went on. Par
don me. Jackie, but I am an old. old
friend
And are claiming all the privileges of
one" laughed back.
Your husband is in Europe" he went on
disagreeably.
Il had heard of it, said drily.
And the world is quick to note these
things he pursued
Phillip Haven!'' flashed back II really
believe you are jealous l colored and
caught myself up quickly. DO you think
me still the unsophisticated girl you left
1 really have two beautifully cut molars
commonly called eye-teeth.
THAT man stayed here nearly two hours
he muttered
How many times have you stayed three
or even four?' / retorted.
But l am an old friend and-and your
PASTOR he replied. 'And this man is a
foreigner, who knows the rules of etiquette,
and 1t was his first call.
But not his last, / trust' said 1.
Really, Philip, you are presuming just a
trif1e. Who cares about the man, anyhow
If / find him entertaining-or rather, If
with all his experience he finds poor, un-
educated, undeveloped me interesting
whose business is it?'
Mine. he answered. Mine, Jackie.
For tell you
The door opened, and in came Minnie
Morrison, followed by a Mrs. cambridge,
hoo nj yvi6 bn ba6 roo or1ft U
joined the club. Her eyebrows lifted all
most imperceptibly when she saw DR..
Haven and me en- tete-a-tete, and after a
cordial greeting she turned from me and
sat by him on the sofa, entertaining him
with the small talk of society during the
few moments of his stay. And when he
rose to go she said good-by also.
For said she, Il am going right by the
rectory and will take you along in my car
rage
See what it is to have a spiritual adj
viser,'' laughed Minnie, when the door had
closed behind them.
/ failed to catch her meaning.
What, not see through the pretty wild
ow?' she went on. why, everybody else
sees it already. tell you an unmarried
clergyman cannot be too careful. First
the aristocratic ranks of ST. Sebastians.'
And he dared to admonish me!
That very night brought an invitation to
help receive the guests at reception the
mayor and his wife were giving for the
Count de Beauvais, together with note
asking me to dine with them the same even
ing Dinners and receptions followed in
quick succession, and the counts stay was
prolonged from the two weeks he had at
first planned into two months, during which
time he was frequent caller at my house.
..You must not be misled by his extrava-
CANT admiration" Mrs. Parsons admonish-
ed me, for these foreigners know not the
meaning of the word reserve. l always ac-
cept their homage in the spirit 1t is given,
knowing they Will pass on to the next flow
err, and, like any other butterfly, sip dill
gently all the honey they find there. It's
ali In the way of the world" And SO l ac-
cepted the counts devotion, lightly and not
ungratefully.
For few weeks matters at the club ran
with uncommon smoothness, there be-
ing no outward friction and few criti
cisms that reached my ears. But the presi-
dent of a large city club has a value in
the business world, as | was destined to
learn. And therein lay my first danger.
Within week after the brilliant gentle
mems night" of the Nota Benes, the card
of a strange gentleman was brought up to
me at an early hour one morning.
HE said his message was an important
one, ma M announced the maid. IF 1t
doesn't happen to be convenient for you to
see him now, he will call again."
VERY WE'LL / responded, with feeling
that the thing might as well be over with
at once Tell him will be down directly"