The San Francisco call., 1905-03-05

added thoughtfully. "tnat Mr.. Price
was presented to you the very first
evening we were here"
You did not seem so pleased at the
time" ventured Kathrine, her face
turned from her mother.
"Well, perhaps not" conceded Mrs.
Meredith, nonplussed for an instant;
but, continuing with even more than
her usual firmness, You must remem-
Der, however. that 1 knew nothing
absolutely nothing-about him or his
position socially, and one cannot be
too careful about the people one meets
in hotel To be sure" she continued,
this is the most fashionable hotel in
Elm Heights, but there are people here
whom we do not care TO meet"
Very likely" agreed Kathrine. Per
haps the others are also trying to get
acquainted with desirable peoplei"
My dear" said Mrs. Meredith cold
ly, Il do not like the tone in which you
made that remark. / wish you could
learn to appreciate the advantages OF
social position; your indifference 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 people, and poor art
wealth and social attainments. 1t was
very trying, and yet 1 never could
make him realize his mistake"
Kathrine opened her lips to speak,
but quickly closed them, trying to con-
quer their quivering, as she recalled
her dead father, whose frank nature,
with its refined tastes and serene disre-
gard for worldly conventions was so
like her own.
However" continued Mrs. Meredith,
her face Frightening, I'VE won't speak
of that now. i almost forgot to tell
you the interesting news 1 heard. Mrs
Wilmington just told me that Mr..
Prices sister, Mrs. KarseH, is a friend
Of Mrs. Van Harkness!'
'Of THE Mrs. Van Harkness?" uues-
toned Kathrine, doubtruIIy
Exactly" said Mrs. Meredith, with
radiant satisfaction. That means a
great deal-more than you are able to
appreciate, my dear. How very fortu-
nate it is that we have met them I
shall certainly improve the acquaint-
ance."
But you have met Mrs. Van Hark-
ness yourself, have you not?" queried
Kathrine.
''Oh. yes,'' impatiently ST took care
to mention the fact to Mrs Whining
ton. But if Mrs. Karsell is an inti-
mate friend of Mrs. Van Harkness-'
Mrs. Meredith hurried off to dress for
dinner leaving her sentence unfinished.
Kathrine, left alone, gazed steadily
at her image in the mirror. Yes" she
thought dispassionately, II am hand
some, and l suppose that 1 could mar
ry well, according to mammals stand
ard, which means certain social posi-
ton, and the money to maintain it
Mamma regards love as an unimpor-
tant accessory, which is very well in
its way, but not necessary" The girl
moved impatiently. How mean IL
seemsl How degrading, this constant
anxiety and effort to be one Of a GER
tain set! Why can't we be happy Just
where we are? 1 wonder If Mr. Price
has social ambitions"
We'll, Anna" said Dick, a trffie i'm
patiently, as they were returning from
a drive, what was ii you wanted to
speak to me about?''
Mrs. Karsell hesitated a moment, and
then exclaimed dramatically: "Oh,
Dick, it's that girl!''
do you mean Miss Meredith?" ask
ed Dick quietly.
Whom else could I mean?" cried
Anna "You are with her all Of the
time"
Not quite all of the time" muir
INJURED Dick, with menuaI regret.
ut amounts to that, anyway" insist
ed his sister. "And after all my hopes
for you-it's too bad, Dick I do want
you to marry some one who can ad-
Meredith is sweet girl, doubtless