The Washington herald., 1908-05-17

I'm afraid-that Is to say, shouldn't
wonder, mamma"
do you know. I'm beginning to think
that / may have exaggerated the Inn
portance of that young mans wealth and
-unl-political prospects. I managed to
draw the prime minister on the subject
the other night, at dinner. and / gather
ed from all the things he didn't say that
they feel they can rely on Mr.. Dumb
dales support, both political and finan-
cial, without giving him a cabinet posi-
tion. OF even a title. You see, Kitty, he
has failed to create that feeling OF brill
liant insecurity which is so necessary to
political advancement in these days Of
practical politics.
Yes. mamma But II It is on my ae-
count you are trying to let Mr.. Dumb
dale down easily, you needn't bother
you needn't, really! I haven't single
illusion about his brains"
''Of course. I don't mean you are to
entirely discourage him. Kitty Brains
are not essential IN a husband, unless he
is a bread-Winner. Mr.. Dumbdaie, for
instance. is always reyoking at bridge.
but I have noticed that those kind OF
men, while making the worst partners,
make the best husbands. Dumbdaie NJ
an SAAAC u Nti ANltit utAE@tHs - EiNAAltA
by his wealth TO consideration at these
little hands. Lady Donoyle caressed
her daughters hand playfully. Your
attitude toward Mr.. Dumbdale should be
one of optimistic evasion. Be gayly In
defnite-you understand, don't your
Yes, mamma, I understand, answered
Lady Kitty. wearily.
Dear child It is so pleasant TO be
able TO avoid brutal eandor in speaking
OF these things The modern tendency
20 strip the clothes of every subject and
lead it through the streets. like Lady
Godiva, is. to me. most distressing.
It's abominahle, mammal
richardson Lady Donoyie called 10
the butler, who was cruising in the. Of
ing There is not enough light in the
ballroom. I wish you would speak 10
the electricians"
Yes, your ladyship."
What were we talking about. Kitty?
Oh, | know The Lady Godiva attitude
And do you know whom I hold respon-
sible?"
It's the lack OF poetry in modern life.
mamma, answered Lady Kitty. with
conviction.
That's all part OF it-but that new
playwright-What's his name?-sOunds
Ike Jaw. but Il isn't-I consider that he
Is the ringleader; and he talks so loud,
every one listens TO him.
He amuses me ever so much" said
Lady Kitty. enthusiastically.
'Of course but he shouldn't. The child
who pushes down the house OF cards is
always more amusing than the child who
builds 1t, yet one ougbtnt 10 laugh-one
really oughtn't-beeause sooner or later
that child is encouraged by the laughter
TO believe that he, too. can build house
OF cards. Then he becomes a worse bore
than the other child. But it's only one
sign OF the disintegration going on all
about US. I'm ever so glad. Kitty. that
I'm nearly twenty years older than you
are. This sort of thing and she swept
her arm round in gesture which in
cluded the luxurious surroundings, and
ended with a light touch on her tiara
won't last your time. When the history
OF these days is written. they will be
called the last days Of the aristocracy." :"
Il shall never marry. mamma dear 7"
laughed Kitty. II couldn't bear to leave
you. You amuse me so much
DO I? I have always tried TO be a
good mother TO you. Kitty. and you have
been a good daughter. Your hair is a
inherent HAA1GE VI AEl-tfFhrA IMAM AaEAAt
and your eyes are not 50 pale. Had
your hair turned out the same shade. It
would have been shocking -unfilial One
Of US would have had TO make up. Yes,
YOU are the best Of daughters. Kitty"
Tears almost threatened the luster OF
Lady Kitty's eyes. She turned suddenly
and put both hands on her mother s
white shoulders Mamma" she breath
ed, I Wish-I wish you we're less anus
ing, and m0re-and more Oh. you
know what I mean She adjusted an
imaginary lock OF her mothers hair.
I suppose so, sighed her mother, but
when you have put bandages over your
wounds. you must always keep them on
always-tili the wounds heal You
mustn't even take them off IN the nurs-
cry But here comes Mr.. Slimsmorei
However does he manage 10 arrive ex-
actly two minutes ahead Of the next man
al every dance? He is wonderful But
keep your dress close round your ankles.
Kitty. or he will have the fiounces of
before he has finished shaking hands"
1T makes no difference. mamma II he
doesn't 90 il now, he will manage it dur
ing a dance. I behave that man Is In
the pay of dressmakers."
Mr.. SIimsmoret" announced the butler.
How good OF you.-how very good OF
you" murmured Lady Donoyle. reaching
her hand well out 20 a pale, high-nosed
youth, who looked as If he had faded In
the wash.
Yes: we were beginning TO think no
one was coming, said Lady Kitty with
an apprehensive glance at his feet, as
he cireled neryously round ser. suggest
ing q hame-drunk moth He was in love
with Lady Kitty, in a hopeless. anaemie
fashion. that expressed itself in shy. ner-
vous spasms, which Lady Kittys good
natured efforts TO allay only accentuated.
She was sweet and gracious to all the
moths which cireled about her. The smell
Of singed wings was no incense 20 her
tender heart. One Of the greatest diff
culties which life presented to her was
how to be nice to men without being too
nice. She only meant to be sympathetic
10 laugh with those that laughed, and
weep with them that wept-but the re-
suits were not always as she had planned.
Mr.. Dumbdale" announced the butler.
There was nothing nervous about this
young mans approach, He came up to
his hostess as though weighty measures
were involved in the procedure He had
a solemn face, with a beard on IT, The
latter served to add dignity TO a chin
with recesslonal tendencies, and, in con-
junction with his Christian name OF John,
made him solid with the NonconfoTmist
vote.
How wrong of you. Mr.. Dumbdale, to
let our little frivolities come between
you and your duties TO the nation What
will the prime minister say? I know.
from what he let drop the other night.
that he relies on you to an extraordinary
extent"
You are most kind, Lady Dcnoyle;
but. Of course. cannot stay long. So,
may 1 hope. Lady Kitty, that you will
give me some of the earlier dances? As
you know, don't dance; but I have so
much to say to you
I can give you the first two, Mr.
Dumbdale,' answered Kitty, smiling all
the more radiantly at her stodgy admirer
to stihe the sighs and foreshadowed