The San Francisco call., 1905-03-05

patroniZing1y-"b we know nOInIn8 oA
the set to which she belongs
"And care less Dick wanted to add.
but refrained. Instead he remarked
wisely: It heard Mrs. Wilmington tell
some of the women on the Veranda Inat
Mrs Meredith is a friend Of Mrs. van
Hardness
"Of THE Mrs. Van Harkness?" Mrs.
| KarselPs anxious tone spoke volumes.
yes. indeed" confirmed Dick
Mrs. KarseI said no more on the
subject until they were approaching the
hotel.
I'm regard to Miss Meredith, Dick
she began. pleasantly, Il may have
been a little hasty in my Judgment |
shall try to become better acquainted
with her and her mother Friends Of
Mrs. Van Harkness are certainty
worth cultivating-"
Dick thanked his stars that he had
| thought of mentioning the piece OF gOs-
! sip he had overheard
| LAS If i cared a rap Hor Kathrine'S
social position" he muttered, with some
heat. Anna thinks because / have
that money from uncle's estate ought
to take a fashionable wife and set up
an establishment. That's not my idea
OF happiness. / want a sweet. woman
Iy woman, who cares for something be-
| sides a round Of dinners, receptions
| and dances-how sweet Kathrfne look
ed last evening"" he broke on suddenly
1
Mrs. Meredith has aspirations for
Kathrine-I hope not" he ended fer
vently.
The next day found Mrs. Karsell 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. Karsell Is very pleasant. IN
deed" said Mrs. Meredith to her
daughter, with evident satisfaction.
1 "She and had a long talk this after
noon, and 1 feel quite as If we were
old friends. One can see that she IS
accustomed to moving in the best cir
cles- She had heard that knew Mrs
Van Harkness; Mrs. Wilmington must
/ have repeated it..
Il suppose you told her you had Just
met her and could not lay claim even
to an acquaintanceship?
Il saw no necessity for going into
details" responded Mrs Meredith in
her most dignifed tones.
Meanwhile Dick was listening with
4 evident satisfaction TO his sisters
praise of Mrs. Meredith and Kathrine.
Such pleasant peOplel And. really.
Miss Meredith is very attractive. I
am SO glad 1 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-
| quaintance with that lady is very su-
perhcial. no doubt" said Dick care
lessly.
Wen. no. Dick. Really. you know.
she seemed to take it for granted that
was an intimate friend. and ii would
have been so embarrassing to explain
/ "Of course, Of course" assented
Dick, with unusual sympathy.
A 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-
1 ried out on the hotel piazza to find
Mrs. Meredith and Mrs. Karsell.
Il knew I'd find you here together"
she cried, bearing down on them tri-
umphantly; and here come Miss Mer-
! edith and Mr.. Price, too. How lovely!
You viii never guess who arrived this
morning. Ah!" lowering her voice sud-
/ denly, there she comes now-Mrs
Van Harknessi"
1t was an awful moment There was
! neither time nor opportunity for escape,
and to stay meant almost certain hu-
initiation to at least two OF the little
group.
She will never remember me-" Mrs.
Meredith groaned inwardly. Mrs.
Karsell will make me the laughing
stock OF all our frtendsl'
After all I have said" thought the
younger woman. in an agony OF shame
What will Mrs. Meredith think! II
| only Mrs. Van Hardness does recall
mel"
The two women sat tense and
speechless, as Mrs. Van Hardness
moved slowly toward them. Her ewes
fell languidly on the little group. Her
expression was that Of cold indifrer-
ence. She sailed slowly by without a
sign Of recognitionI
Let's 60" whispered Dick, and he
and Kathrine slipped OUT through a
| convenient doorway
1t was a rather silent and abstracted
pair who started out on their usual
morning tramp. Only commonplace
| speeches were uttered until thew
reached large, fat rvcK by the shady
/ roadside.
shall we rest here before starting
| back?" suggested Dick
II am q little tired" confessed Kath-
rine.
There was a short silence during
which Dick stared disconsolately at her
hat brtm. 1t was suddenly raised and
a pair OF brown eyes, shining with sup
pressed mirth, flashed on him
SOu acquainted Win MIS- Van
Harkness? she asked, mischievously
"Oh, l say, that was pretty rough
on my sister,, said Dick, his face flush
Ing slightly, though his lips were snil-
ing.
1T was dreadful disappointment to
both Of them
Just think" she added. regretfully.
what an advantage it would have
been TO be able TO say, My friend. Mrs.
van harkness, thinks so-and-so.'"
Quite true" responded Dick. "Such
a boost to ones social position, you
know"
They laughed.
I don't care a rap for It all" said
Dick, vigorously.
Nor l." agreed Kathrine.
There was a moments silence
Il love you, Kathrine, dear"
No answer
do you care a little for ma Katb-