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

set up an establishment. TnaIs not
my Idea of happiness. I want a sweet,
womanly woman, who cares for some
thing besides q round of dinners, recep-
tons and dances-how sweet Kathrine
looked last EVENING" he broke off sud-
denly. ''She is a beautiful girl. ] Won
der II Mrs. Meredith hns aspirations
; for Kathrine. l hope not" he ended
fervently.
The next day found Mrs. Karseli and
Mrs. Meredith each eager to enjoy the
society of "a friend of Mrs. Van Hark-
ness, you know" as they explained to
their less fortunate associates, and the
two women spoke Of that lady with the
easy familiarity an old friend adopts.
Mrs. harsell is very pleasant. in
deed" said Mrs. Meredith to her
daughter, with evident satisfaction.
she and / had a long talk this after
noon. and l feel quite as if we were
old friends. One can see that she is
cles. She had heard that | knew Mrs.
Van Hardness; Mrs. Wilmington must
have repeated it."
II suppose you told her you had
just met her and could not lay claim
even to an aequaintaneeshlp?'
Il saw no necessity for going into
Details" responded Mrs. Meredith in
her most dignified tones.
Meanwhile Dick was listening with
evident satisfaction to his sisters
praise Of Mrs Meredith and Kath-
rine.
'Such pleasant people! And, really,
Miss Meredith Is very attractive. I
am SO glad I have met them, for from
what The mother says they must be
excellent friends Of Mrs. Van Hark-
ness"
You explained that your own ac-
ouaintance with that lady is very
superficial, no doubt" said Dick care
lessiy.
wei no, Dick. Really, you know,
1 wal an intimate friend, and it would
have been SO embarrassing to ex-
plain"
"Of course, of course" assented
Dick, with unusual sympathy.
4 week passed by-a week full of
happiness for Kathrine and Dick. who
walked and boated and played golf to
their hearts content, and to the In
finite satisfaction Of the mother and
sister, who saw in their love a means
of social advancement.
The crash came on Wednesday af-
ternoon when Mrs. Wilmington hur-
ried out on the hotel piazza to find
Mrs. Meredith and Mrs. Iarsell.
Il knew I'd iEd you Lere together"
she cred, bearing down on them tri-
uraphantiy. And here come Miss
Meredith ard Ar. Frice too. How
lovely. You will never guess who
arrived this morning. AL" lowering
her voice suddenly, there she comes
~now-sirs. Van H~arisncss,'
Ii was an awful moment. There
was neither time nor opportunity for
escape. and 10 stay meant almost GER
tain humiliation 10 at least two OF the
hssle group.
sic will never remember me-" Mrs.
Meredith graaned inwarlly. Mrs.
Karsell will make me the laughing
stock OF all j friends"
After all l haze sa.dp. thought the
younger woman in an agony OF shame.
"What VIII Mrs. Meredith think? IL
only Mrs. Van darkness does recall
mei'
The two women sat tense and speech
less as Eirs. Van Hardness moved slow
" toward them. Her eyes fell languid-
ly on the little group. Her expression
was that of cold Indifference. She sail
ed slowly by without a sign of recog-
milton.
Lets 60" whispered Dick, and he
and Kathrine slipped OFT through q
convenient doorway.
Ii was q rather silent and distracted
pair who started OFT on their usual
morning tramp. Only commonplace
speeches were uttered until they
reached a large, fat rock By the shady
roadside.
shall we rest here before starting
back?' suggested Dick.
Il I'm a little tired" confessed Kath-
rine.
There was a short silence, during
which Dick stared disconsolately at her
hat brim. It was suddenly raised. and
a pair of brown eyes. shining with sup
pressed mirth, flashed on him.
Are you acquainted with Mrs. Van
Ha-kness?' she asked m~ischievously.
"oh, I say, that was pretty rough on
my sister," said Dick. his face flushing
slightly. though his lips were smiling.
1T was q dreadful disappointment
to both Of them"
Just think" she added regretfully.
what an advantage It would have
been to be able to say, Ny friend, Mrs.
Van Hardness. thinks so-and-so!"
Quite true" responded Dick. Such
n boost to ones social position. you
know"
They laughed.
Il don't care a rap for 1t all," said
Dick vigorously.
"Nor l." agreed Kathrine.