Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03

. teoric rise, little Mr.. Winstanley prowlet
about the ship, solitary and somewhat
pathetic figure in his evident behef th ma,
self-effacement was the first duty OF the
parent of such a Phoenix among matdens
Following his abortive reopening OF &C
quaintance with Miss Carstafrs, he with
drew into his shell and spoke no more to
her. Helen reproached herself that she
had not been able to conceal from him the
repulsion at first inspired in her by her
rival in John Glynn's favor. Old Win
stanley's mild twinkle Of the eye, the smile
playing around his thin lips. gave no hint,
however, that his retiring attitude was In.
spired by offense. He seemed to live apart
in a world of his own thoughts and memo
ries. from which even his Posey's triumphs
could not extract him for long.
And Posey, Miss Blocker to the contrary
(who from her end of the table consistently
glared down the intruders right to bed,
continued to reign in her revolving chair,
as the established queen of every meal.
Her quips and cranks Of fan. her lawless
sallies at the expense of those around her.
had effectually banished restraint and
brought the diverse elements of their party
together, even Helen parting with her for
mality to join the tall, when convinced
by observation that Miss Winstanley knew
nothing whatever Of her prior acquaintance
with John Glynn.
From the beginning the Honorable Bobby
Vane, Lord Kennington's scapegrace boy.
had fallen head over ears in love with
Posey, and was ready to forfeit his not
very brilliant prospects In life to marry
her, no matter In what capacity she had
previously appeared. Posey laughed at and
with the lad, enjoying his off-hand gayety
and mischief, and there 1t began and ended:
The Russian savant, under the influence
Of Miss Winstanley's presence, forgot to
grumble about draughts and sauces, and
smoothed his grim-visaged front into affa-
bility, answering her in English as choice
as M. de Mariors French. The old German
count, proving to be the most kindly and
merry of comrades, developed faculty for
telling uproariously funny stories, of which
the effect was impaired only by such a
strange mispronunciation of the English
tongue that his auditors were kept super
naturally grave in the effort not to smile
at him. and therefore did not smile at all.
A volume Of Mariols clever (and happily
innocuous) short stories having been pro-
duced by somebody and put into circula-
ton on the ship, Miss Winstanley had IA
miliarized herself with them, and was en-
gagged at odd moments in translating the
little chef doeuvres OF style, with Bobby
Vane, in whose imagination book of any
kind, save a betting book, doomed larger
than an elephant.
Mariol, to whom direct address from cas-
ual people upon the subject of his writings
was an affection, had been rather dreading
the young lady's comments, and was re-
lieved when she disposed of him thus easily
II think they're just lovely, Mr.. Mariol,
and am trying to make Mr.: vane agree
dismal and give him the awful blues. After
this, when people say they envy me being
at table with you. 1 can truly tell them
you don't talk the least bit like your
books"
Mrs. Kipling told me once" said Clan
donald, following a laugh at Mariors ex-
pense, that when q gushing American girl
asked how she could endure the brilliancy
Of q certain chat between her husband
and Cecil Rhodes on the Kiplings' veranda
In South Africa, she had been puzzled
what to answer, because, as q matter Of
fact, each Of these gentlemen had been
trying to talk more delightful drivel than
the other. What good luck for the rest
Of US, that great minds do unbend In the
intimacy of private discourse!''
IF one doesn't talk in brief paragraphs,
like those columns printed in American
newspapers for busy men to read in ele-
waited trains one isn't listened to, hnd,
said the author, ruefully.
I'm most countries nowadays" observed
Prince Zourikon, looking anxiously to see
whether the portion Of cold praised beef
left upon the platter was enough for his
liberal appetite, 1.-THE fine arts of CONVEX
sation and correspondence have both been
driven like chaff before the wind of mod
ern restlessness. Nobody conyerses, few
read, friendly communication Is achieved
by wire or telephone. And as to intro
ducing serious topic into society-perish
the thought! One would be voted SUI
perannuated nuisance"
II have always thought 1t the best COM
pliment a man can pay woman" said
Miss Carstairs. blushinG little. when he