Evening star., 1907-08-18

! II am not aware of possessing Mr.. Apple.
she said. indeed. he seems to me to be
rather pre-empted by Mrs Apple and the
little Apples.
was exceedingly unpleasant on occasions
1T Is said that Mr.. Cheever bought him for
you, rather that he paid the money and
you drew him like prize at rattle"
Il am surprised that the story should in
terest you" Mary said essaying Eghtness
of tone: lit is purely an American affair
We are raking over trusts and syndcates
now. Poor Mr.. Apple had been nearly en-
quilted by a magnate and Mr.. Cheevers lent
him some money.
Her hostess threw the stub of her cigar
cite into the ash tray and lighted another
My dear Miss Hadding." she said sweetly,
they say such unpleasant things of young
women sometimes-one must be married to
| accomplish anything with finesse; 1 should
advise you to marry
Thank you" said Mary, rising, her
cheeks still deeply flushed and her eyes
sparkling: your advice should be purely
disinterested, as it is-unsolicited. But, OF
course. l understand that a girl is ex-
pected to marry; in fact. we are supposed
| to be born with that end in view
! Madame Syrene held up a depreca ting
hand Pray don't 60" she said. Il am
| merely giving you good advice. The truth
Is that l was anxious to drop hint of your
indscretion. OF course people say that
Fred Cheever is she paused. smiling
| her cigarette between her fingers.
Deeply in love with you" Mary sup
piled cOmpOSedly.
Madame shrugged her shoulders and
lifted her eyes deprecatingly to the ceiling.
IF NJ. Syrene should hear that" she ex-
claimed mockingly: you know he has
fought two duels already--the greatest folly
but what will you? Men are so foolish
about pretty woman.
1T seems to me that you apologize for
them prettily that nothing more need be
said. Mary remarked carelessly.
She was standing looking down at her
hostess with involuntary interest; the
woman half reclining in her great chair.
was like some beautiful wild creature OF
| the feline type which no man could wholly
tame: she turned now and. resting her ell
bow on the table. took the cigarette from
between her teeth.
MY dear Miss Hadding she said "the
tongue of gossip is tipped with venom.
You have rather large responsibility. for
a young woman. in Fred Cheever; l wish
you Joy of him. she added laughing and
showing her little pointed teeth: "but he is
not exactly the desirable appendage to the
train of an ingenue-who wishes to marry!
and l fancy a rich marriage is a neces-
sity with you.
Mary regarded her with some amazement.
her anger held in check by her caution.
She saw that she dealing with a
Jealous and a dangerous woman. and in a
flash realized that she could not afford to
add fuel to the fire. You are curiously
mistaken. Madame Syrene." she said, as
coolly as she could; 1T Is not a necessity
for me to marry any one.
The other woman looked at her through
half-shut lids. She did not believe a word
she said. My dear she replied softly,
when | was a mere girl lived in a house
where there was a pet raven and used to
tease the raven. One day the bird flew at
me and pecked me; the hurt was not great.
fbut / could not forgive it. l never forgive
| an injury. and l waited-oh l waited long
while before l could catch it unseen and
then she shrugged her beautiful white
shoulders and smiled sweetly at Mary
'and then l wrung its neck
Mary smiled. My dear Madame Syrene, ''