The San Francisco call., 1904-11-20

fell on the table. 1t seemed that they
recognized a difference between troub-
les and grievances which could be dis
cussed with more or less good-nature,
or quarreled over with more or less
acerbity. and those which were in an
other category. The moment the Court
lands were in question a constraint
arose Tom Courtland himself broke
the silence, but 1t was to talk about
an important cricket match. Lady
Harriet smiled at him composedly, un-
conscious of the earnest study Of
Sibylla's eyes, which were fixed on
her and were asking Gas Mrs. Raymore
would have said) many questions.
When the ladies had gone, Fanshaw
buttonhOled Raymore and exhibited to
him his financial position and it's exi-
gencies with ruthless elaboration and
with a persistently implied accusation
Of Christine's extravaganza. Selford
victimized young Blake with the story
OF a picture which he had just picked
up; he declared 1t was by a famous
Dutch master. and watched for the ef
feet on Blake, who showed none, never
having heard Of the Dutch master.
Tom Courtland edged up to Grantley's
side: they had not met since Grantley's
wedding.
well, you look very blooming and
happy, and aIl that" he said.
''F1rst-rate, old boy. How are your"
Tom lowered his voice and spoke with
a cautious air.
I've done It. GrGntley-what wrote
to you. BY God, couldn't stand It any
Iongerl I'd sooner take any risk. Oh,
myself away. But had to do it,
Grantley gave a shrug.
"Oh, we'll. I'm sorry" he said. THAT
sort of thing may turn out so awk-
ward"
IT'D have to be Internally awkward
to be worse than what I've gone
through. At any rate I get away from
it sometimes now and-and enjoy my
self"
Find getting away easy?"
No; but as we must have shindies,
we may as well have them about that.
I told Harriet she made the house In
tolerable, so I should spend my even
ings at my clubs"
"Ohl And-and who is she?"
He looked round warily before he
whispered:
Flora Bolton"
Grantley raised his brows and said
one word:
Tom nodded with a mixture of rue
fulness and pride.
If you're going to the devil you may
as Wen go quickly and pleasantly" he
said, drumming his fingers On the
cloth. by heaven, If I'd thought of
this when I married. I meant to go
straight-you know 1 did?''
Grantley nodded.
Il broke off all that sort of thing.
I could have gone straight. She's
driven me to it-by Jove, she has"'
Take care, old chap. They'll notice
you"
Il don't care if Oh, all right. and
thanks, Grantley. / don't want to
make an exhibition of myself. And
I've told nobody but you, of course"
Sibylla, never long in coming to con-
clusions. had made up her mind about
the women before the evening was
half over. Lady Harriet was strange
and terrible when the known facts Of
the case We're compared with her in
dolent composure. Mrs. Selford was
trivial and tiresome, but good enough
little, silly soul. Suzette Bhgh
was entirely negligible; she had
not spoken save 70 flirt very
mildly with Blake. Mrs. Ray
more elected liking, but a rather
timid and distant one; she seemed
very clear-sighted and judicial. Chris
tine Fanshaw attracted her most. first
by her dainty pTettiness, also by the
perfection Of her clothes "a thing
Sibylla much admired) most by her
friendly air and the piquant suffusion
of sarcastic humor that she had. She
seemed to treat even her own griev-
ances in this semi-serious way-one OF
them certainly, If her husband were
one. Such a manner and such a way
Of regarding things are often most at
tractive to the people who would find
il hardest to acquire the like for
themselves; they seem to make the
difficulties which have Ioomed so large
look smaller-they extenuate, smooth
away. and, by the artifice of not ask
ing too much, cause what is given TO
appear more liberal installment of the
possible. They are not, however, gen
orally associated with any high or
rigid moral ideas. and were not so as
sociated In the person Of pretty Chris
tine Fanshaw. But they are entirely
compatible with much worldly wisdom,
and breed a tolerance Of unimpeach-
able breadth, If not Of exalted origin.
We'll be friends, won't we?" Chris
tine said to Sibylla, settling herself
cozily by her. I'm rather tired Of all
these women. except Kate Raymore,
and she doesn't much approve of me.
But I'm going to like you"
will you? Pm so glad"
And / can be very useful to you.
I can even improve your frocks-
though this ones very nice; and 1
can tell you all about husbands. L
know a great deal--and I'm represen-
tative." She laughed gayly. John
and 1 are quite representative. I like
John, really, you know, he's a good
man-but he's selfish. And John likes
me, but I'm selfish. And 1 like teas
ing John, and he takes positive
pleasure sometimes in annoying me-"
And that's representative? smiled
Sibylla.
oh, not by itself. but as an ele-
ment, sandwiched in with the rest
with our really liking one another
and getting on all right, you know.
And when we quarrel. it's about some
thing, not about nothing. like the Sell
fords-though 1 don't know that that
is quite so representative, after ALL"
She paused a moment, and resumed
less gayly, with little wrinkle on her
brow: "At least, think John really
likes me. Sometimes I'm not sure,
though I know 1 like him; and when
I'm least sure tease him most"
as that a good remedy?"
Remedy? No, it's temper, my
dear. You see, there was time when
L, l..