The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1905-07-27

May | come In. dear?" asked Mrs
Meredith. standing erect and self as
.sured on the threshold of her daugh.
ter's room.
certainly, mamma Kathrine dreN
forward a chair with a simple, direc,
movement that was in striking con
trast to her mothers more bulky, sell
conscious exertions in seating herself.
what a blessing it is that you are
tall end slender and handsome, Kath-
rine!'' calculated the older woman.
"And how very fortunate It was" sht
added thoughtfully, that Mr.. Price
was presented to you the very first
evening we were here"
"You cid not seem so pleased at the
time" venturei Kathrine. her face
turned from her mother.
"weIl. perhaps not conceded Mrs.
Meredith. nonplused for an Instant
but. continuing with ever more then
her usual irmness, "You must remem.
Der, however, that l knew nothing
absolutely nothing-about him or his
position socially. and one cannot be
too careful about the people one meets
In a hotel. TO be sure" she continued.
this is the most fashionable hotel in
Elm Heights, but there are people hero
whom Ee do not care to meet"
'Very likely" agreed Kathrine. Per
haps the others are also trying to get
acquainted with desirable people"
MY dear" said Mrs. Meredith cold
y, Il DO not like the tone IN which
you made that remark. l wish you
could learn to appreciate the advan-
tages of social position. Your indiffer-
enc along that line really annoys me.
You are SO like your poor father. He
was always unwise in his choice Of
friends, picking up odd, bookish peo-
pie and poor artists and musicians,
never any one with wealth and social
attachments. 1t was very trying, and
yet | never could make him realize his
mistake"
Kathrine opened her lips to speak.
but quickly closed them, trying to con-
quer their quiyering, as she recalled
her dead father. whose frank nature,
with It's refined tastes and serene dis
regard for worldly conventions, was so
like her own.
However" continued Mrs. Mere
dith, her face Frightening, I'VE went
speak Of that now. / almost forgot to
tell you the interesting news l heard.
Mrs. Wilmington just told me that Mr..
Prices sister. Mrs. Karsell, Is a friend
of Mrs. Van Harknessw
"Of the Mrs. Van Harkness?" cues
toned Kathrine doubtfully.
Exactly" said Mrs. Meredith, with
radiant satisfaction. "That means a
great deal-more than you are able to
appreciate. my dear. How very fo-tu-
nate it is that we have met them. |
shall certainly improve the acquaint-
ance."
But you have met Mrs. Van Hark-
ness yourself, have you notT' queried
Kathrine.
"Oh. yes" impatiently. 81 took care
to mention the fact to Mrs. Whining
ton. But IL Mrs. Karsell is an intimate
friend OF Mrs. Van Harkness''-
Mrs. Meredith hurried of to dress
for dinner. leaving her sentence unfn-
ished.
Kathrlne, left alone. gazed steadily
at her image in the mirror. YES" she
thought dispassionately, 81 am hand
some. and 1 suppose that I could mar
~ well, according to mammals stand
ard, which ean a certain social posi-
ton and the money to maintain 1t.
Mamma regards love as an unlnpof-
tan accessory, which is very well in It's
way, but not necessary" The girl
moved impatiently. "How mean 1t
seems! How degrading this constant
anxiety and effort TO be one O; a cer-
tain sell Why can't we be happy just
where we are? l wonder If llr. Price
has social ambitions
> . : . .
"Well, Anna" said Dick a triGe in
patiently as they were returning from
q drive. what was it yon Bansel u
speak to ae about:'
Mrs. Karse,l hesitated a moment and
then exclaimed dramatically, och,
Dick. it's that girll''
DO you mean Miss Meredith7' asked
Dick quietly.
Whom else could I mean?" cried
Anna. "You are with her ali OF the
time"
Not quite all OF the time" mur1nur-
ed Dick, with mental regret.
ut amounts to that anyway" insist
ed his sister. And after all my hopes
for you'll It's too bad, Dick. 1 do want
You to marry ZONE one who can ad-
vance you socially. Now, this Miss
Meredith Is a sweet girl doubtless
patronizlnGly-"but we know nothing |
of the set to which she belongs"
And care less" Dick wanted to add,
refraining. Instead he remarked WISE
~. Il heard Mrs. Wilmington tell some
of the women on the veranda that Mrs.
Meredith Is a friend Of Mrs. Van Hark-
ness"
"Of the Mrs. Van Harkness?" Mrs.
Karselrs anxious tone spoke volumes.