New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-05-31

+ Copyright. 1905. by Helena Wa.hbun Graham !
May come in, dear?' asked Mrs.
Meredith, standing erect and self as.
sured on the threshold Of her daugh-
ter's room
Certainly, mamma" Kathrine drew
forward a chair with a simple, direct
movement that was in striking con-
trast to her mothers more bulky, self
conscious exertions in seating herself.
what blessing it is that you are
tall and slender and handsome, Kath-5
rineH calculated the older woman.
'.And how very fortunate it was" she
added NthoughtfulIy, chat Mr.. Price
was presented to you the very first
evening we were here
You did not seem so pleased at the
time," yentured Kathrine, her face
turned from her mother.
"Well. perhaps not conceded Mrs.
Meredith, nonplused for an Instant;
but, continuing with even more than
her usual firmness, ssYou must remem-
Der, however, that I 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,
'sthis is the most fashionable hotel in
Elm Heights, but there are people here
whom we do not care to meet"
Every likely" agreed Kathrine Per
haps the others are also trying to get
acquainted with desirable people,
:'My DEAR" said Mrs Meredith cold
ly, 81 do not like the tone in which
you made that remark. I wish you
could learn to appreciate the advan-
tages of social position. Your indiffer-
ence 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 peo-
pie and poor artists and musicians,
never any one with wealth and social
attainments. 1t was very trying, and
vet 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 it's refined tastes and serene dis
regard for worldly conventions, was so
like her own.
However" continued Mrs. Mere
dith, her face Frightening, 1--WE won't
speak of that now. I almost forgot to
tell you the interesting news I heard
Mrs. Wilmington just told me that Mr..
Prices sister, Mrs. Karsell, is friend
Of Mrs. Van Harkness!'
"Of the Mrs. Van Harknessw ques-
toned Iathrine doubtfully.
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!
| ance''
But you have met Mrs. Van Hark-
| ness yourself, have you not?' queried
ILathrine.
ooh, yes" impatiently. II took care
to mention the fact to Mrs. Whining
-A
1 friend of Mrs. Van Harkness''-
| Mrs. Meredith hurried off to dress
| for dinner, leaving her sentence unfin-
| ished.
| kathrine, left alone, gaZed steadily
at her image in the mirror. Yes she
| thought dispassionately, II am hand
| some, and I suppose that I could mar
/ H.
| ard, which means a certain social posi-
| ton and the money to maintain it.
Mamma regards love as an unimpor-
tant accessory, which is very we'll in it's
way, but not necessary" The girl
| moved impatiently. How mean it
seems! 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? l wonder if Mr.. Price
| has social ambitions"
I ''Well, Anna,'' said Dick trife i'm
! patiently as they were returning from
drive, what was it you wanted to
| speak to me about?"
Mrs. Karsell hesitated a moment and
then exclaimed dramatically, cob,
| Dick, it's that girl!''
do you mean Miss Meredith?' asked
Dick quietly.
| Whom else could mean?' cried
Anna. you are with her all Of the
time
mot quite all of the time" murmur-
! ed Dick, with mental regret
TT amounts to that anyway" insist
ed his sister. And after all my hopes
for you! It's too bad, Dick / do want
you to marry some one who can adj
vance you socially. Now, this Miss
Meredith is a sweet girl doubtiess''-
patronizingly-.sbut we know nothing
of the set to which she belongs"
"And care less" Dick wanted to add
| rof mi no AL, Il