The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-04-14


since their marriage. They had just
dined, and Paul had followed his wife
into the drawing room. He took sim
pie minded delight in her beauty, which
was of the description that is at its
best in gorgeous setting. He stood
looking at her, noting her grace, her
pretty, studied movements. There were.
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 rs 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 were showered upon them.
These invitations Eta accepted ca
gerly Some women hold it little short
of crime to refuse an invitation, and
so through life regretting that there is
only one evening to each day TO
Paul these calls were nothing new. His
secretary had hitherto drawn hand
some salary for doing little more than
refuse such.
1t was in Etta's nature to be 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. l 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 its own. and every
body knows that you are a prince, but
it would be nicer, with the servants
and everybody, to be a princess
Il am afraid l cannot do it," said
Paul.
answered his wife, looking at him
sharply.
1.-THE reason is the responsibility that
attaches to the very title you wish to
wear"
The lady smiled, little scornfully
perhaps.
"Oh, your grubby old peasants, sup
pose," she said
'Yes. You remember, Eta, what I
told you before we were married
about the people, l mean?'
"Oh, yes" answered Eta, glancing
at the clock and hiding q little yawn
behind her fam
81 did not tell you ALL" went on
Paul, 'partly because it was inexpe-
dent, partly because l feared it might
bore you. l 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, greater re-
gard for cleanliness and that sort of
thing"
Yes. dear, l remember" answered
Eta. listlessly contemplating her
gloved hands.
''Well. 1 have not contented myself
with thinking this during the last two
or three years. 1 have tried to put it
into practice. SteinmetZ and 1 have
lived at Osterno six months of the year
on purpose to organize matters on the
estate. was deeply implicated in the
Charity league
Eta dropped her fan with a clatter
into the fender.
"Oh, l hope it is not brokenv' she
gasped, with a singular breathlessness.
81 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"
Yes, but'-Etta paused, opening
the fan and examining the sticks so
closely that her face was hidden by
the feathers-''yes. but l like this one.
What is the Charity league, dear?''
1T was a large organization got up
by the hereditary mobiles of Russia to
educate the people and better their cir
cumstances by discriminate charity.
OF course it had to be kept secret, as
the bureaucracy is against any at
tempt to civilize the people-against ed
ucation or the dissemination of news.
The thing was organized. We were
just getting to work when some one
stole the papers of the league from
the mousse or Count Stepan Lanovitch
ond SoI6 Thorn 70 +ho x.o,,o,,->o,~+ M.