The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-03-30

TIC ucdIlu. s..
II think it is rather ridiculous being
called plain Mrs. Howard Alexis" add
ed Eta, with a pout
They We're going to q ball, the first
since their marriage. They had just
dined, and Paul had followed his wife
into the drawing room. He took a sim
pie minded delight in her beauty, which
was of the description that is at it's
best in a gorgeous setting. He stood
looking at her, noting her grace. her
pretty, studied movements. There We're.
he reflected, few women more beauti-
ful-none, in his own estimation. fit to
compare with her.
Already, however, he was beginning
to discover certain small differences,
not so much Of opinion as Of thought,
between Eta and himself. She at
tached an Importance to social func-
ton, to social opinion, to social duties,
which he in nOwise understood In
vitations We're showered upon them.
These invitations Eta accepted ca
gerly. Some women hold it little short
OF a crime to refuse an invitation, and
go through life regretting that there is
only one evening to each day. To
Paul these calls were nothing new. His
secretary had hitherto drawn a hand
some salary for doing little more than
refuse such.
1t was in Etta'S nature to he some
what carried away by glitter A great
ballroom, brilliant illumination, music,
flowers and diamonds had an effect
upon her which she enjoyed in antici-
patton. Her eyes cleaned brightly on
reading the mere card of invitation
Since their marriage she had never
been so beautiful, her eyes had never
been so sparkling, her color so bril-
liant as at this moment when she ask
ed her husband to let her use her title
Hers was the beauty that blooms not
for one man alone, but for the multi
tude; that feeds not on the love Of
one, but on the admiration of many.
"A foreign title" answered Paul, sis
nothing in England. soon found that
out at Elton and at Trinity. 1t was
Impossible there. I dropped it, and
have never taken it up again."
Eyes, you old stupid, and you have
never taken the place you are entitled
to in consequence"
"What placer"
"The place in society,"" she answered.
ooh, does that matter? I never
thought of it,
"Of course it Matters" answered the
lady, with an astonished little laugh.
''Of course it Matters" answered Et-
ia; more than-well, more than any
thing"
''But the position that depends upon
foreign title cannot be of much
value" said the pupil Of Karl Stein
metz
Eta shook her pretty head reflective.
ly.
''Of COURSE" she answered, money
makes position Of it's own, and every
body knows that you are prince, but
it would be nicer, with the servants
and everybody, to be a princess
Il am afraid cannot do it," said
Paul.
'Then there is some reason for it,
answered his wife, looking at him
sharply.
'"The reason is the responsibility that
attaches to the very title you wish to
wear"
The lady smiled, a little scornfully
perhaps.
ooh, your grubby old peasants, sup
pose," she said
Eyes You remember, Eta, what !
told you before we were married.
about the people, mean?"
"Oh, yes,' answered Eta, glancing
at the clock and hiding little yawn
behind her fan.
Il did not tell you ALL" went Oh
Paul, 'partly because it was inexpe-
dent, partly because I feared it might
bore you I only told you that I was
vaguely interested in the peasants and
thought it would be good thing if
they could be gradually educated into
greater self respect, a greater re.
gard for cleanliness and that sort OF
thing"
Eyes, dear, / remember answered
Eta, listlessly contemplating he1
gloved hands
Well, I have not contented myself
with thinking this during the last two
or three years. I have tried to put il
into practice. Steinmetz and I have
lived at OsternO six months of the veal
on purpose to organize matters on the
estate. I was deeply implicated in the
Charity league
Eta dropped her fan with a clatte1
into the fender
"Oh, I hope it is not brokenv she
gasped, with singular breathlessness
II do not think sO,'' replied Paul,
picking up the fan and returning it to
her. "Why, you look quite white.
What does it matter if it is broken?
You have others"
Eyes, but'-Etta paused opening
the fan and examining the sticks Sc
closely that her face was hidden by
the feathers-''yes, but I like this one
What is the Charity league, dear?'
ut was large organization got up
by the hereditary mobiles of Russia to
educate the people and better their cir-