The Princeton union., 1906-08-16

the clerk, handing him a blank card;
your name, please"
The old man wrote: '.Mr. Peter
Bines, Of Montana City, would like a
few minutes talk with Mrs Wybert." I"
The boy was gone SO long that
Uncle Peter, waiting, began to sus-
pect he would not be received. He re-
turned at length with the message:
The lady says will you please step
upstairs"
Going up in the elevator, the old
man was ushered by q maid into q
v1olet-scented little nest whose pale
green walls were touched discreetly
with hangings of heliotrope. An art
ist, In Uncle Peters place, might have
fancied that the color scheme of the
apartment cried out for a bit of
warmth. A glowing, warm-haired
woman was needed to set the walls
af1re; and the need was met when Mrs.
Wybert entered.
She wore a long coat of seal
trimmed with chinchilla, and had
been, apparently, about to go out.
Uncle Peter rose and bowed. Mrs.
Wybert nodded rather uncertainty.
you wished to see me, Mr.. Bines?"
Il did want to have a little talk
with you, Mrs. Wybert, but you're
goin' out, and won't keep you.
know how pressed you New York so
c1ety ladies are with your engage
ments."
Mrs. Wybert had seemed to be puz-
zled. She was still puzzled, but un-
mistakably pleased. The old man was
looking at her with frank and friendly
apology for his intrusion. Plainly she
had nothing to fear from him. She
became gracious.
ut was only little shopping tour,
Mr.. Bines, that and call at the hos
pitai. where they have one Of my
maids who slipped on the avenue yes
terday and fractured one Of her-er-
limbs. Do sit down."
Mrs. Wybert said climb" for leg
with the rather conscious air of escap-
ing from an awkward situation only
Dy the SuDleSt dneSSe.
She seated herself before a green
and heliotrope background that in
stantly took warmth from her color.
Uncle Peter still hesitated.
"You see, wanted kind of long
chat with you, Mrs. Wybert-a friend
ly chat if you didn't mind, and I'd feel
mite nervous If you're bundled up
that way"
Il shall be delighted, Mr. Bines, to
have long, friendly chat. I'll send
time. There now, do be right COM
fortable!"
The old man settled himself and be-
slowed upon his hostess long look of
approval.
"The reports never done you justice,
Mrs. Wyhert and they was very glow
in reports, too"
you're very kind, Mr.. Bines, awful
ly good of you!"
I'm goin' to be more, Mrs. Wybert.
I'm goin' to be little bit confidential
right out in the straight open with
you."
Il am sure of that"
"And if you want to, you can be the
same with me. I amt ever held any,
thing against you, and maybe now l
can do you favor
'1t's right good of you to say so.''
''Now, look here, ma'am, let's you
and me get right down to cases about
this society game here in New York.
Mrs. Wybert laughed charmingly
and relaxed in manner.
''Im with you, Mr.. Bines. What
about it, now?"
"Now don't get suspicious, and tell
me to mind my own business when l
ask you questions"
II couldn't be suspicious of YOU
really 1 feel as if I'd have to tell you
everything you asked me, some way"
@<Well, there's been some talk of
your marrying that young Milbrey.
Now tell me the inside of it,
She looked at the old man closely.
Her intuition confirmed his own pro-
testations of friendliness.
81 don't mind telling you in strict
confidence, there was talk of marriage,
and his people, all but the sister, en-
couraged it. Then after she was en-
gagged to Shepler they talked him out
of it. Now that's the whole Gods
truth, if It does you any good"
IF you had married him you'd "a
had a position, like they say here,
right away"
"Oh, dear, yes! awfully swasger peo-
ple-dead swell, every one of them.
There's no doubt about that"
Exactly; and there amt really any
reason why you can't be somebody
here"
''Well, between you and I, Mr.. Bines,
can play the part as we'll as whole
lot Of these women here l don't want
to talk, of course, but-well!"
Exactly, you can give half of 'em
cards and spades and both casinos,
Mrs. Wybert"
"And I'll do it yet I'm not through
by any means. They're not the only
ma