The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-16

have suffered, your looks are not
spoiled"
4 am glad of that returned Mrs.
lie Marchant, with a little laugh in
which there was a ring of bitterness.
No woman likes to grow ugly--the
sense of ugliness almost makes one
lose ones self-respect. But, my dear
Laura"-here her voice softened-"you
always thought too much Of me. You
We're a beauty in your girlhood-r
never was"
mo, o We're never a beauty re-
turned Mrs. Annesley. musingly. but
you were what you are still-an in
describable being. And, do you know.
[ don't thinlS men get on with inde-
scribable beings; Antony liked Cleo
patra. and she was indescribable; but
then the modern man is never a Marc
Antony, though l believe there ara
plenty of Cleopatras among modern
women. You are n sort OF enigma,
you know; you can't help it-you were
made like that. and men are always
silly at guessing enigmas."
Idreana smiled rather sadly. 1T
think you mistake me, DEAR" she said.
gently; II am not an enigma. 1 am
only a weak, loving woman whose best
emotions have been killed like leaves
in a frost. There never was any mys-
terry about my nature, and IL there
seems to o any mystery now, It is
only because I try to shut within my
self the secret of my life's disappoint-
ment and sorrow. If my heart Is
broken, the world need not know 1t.
And you will help me. will you not?'
she added, with a certain tremulous
eagerness. "You will not let any ono
guess my husband's"--here she paused
and sought for a word, inc finally
said-"my husbands failing. one must
always keep up appearances, and there
is no occasion to make an exhibition
of ones domestic griefs for the bene-
fit of of unsympathetic society. While
we are here, you, as hostess, can do so
much for me; in you hospitality you
will not, 1 am sure, encourage Captain
lie Marchant in his habit
IN broke off, and her self-command
gave way n little. Mrs. Annesley saw
the tears in her eyes, and her W
throat contracted unpleasantly.
"Of course not, my dear she said,
hastily. Butt must tell Claude.
otherwise. you see, he will keep on
passing the wine and other things. He
is very good-natured. and he has an
idea hat every decent man knows
W iifl ne lloS lldu thVh6h- HiN
Paused. remembering that pool
? Claude himself was one of these de-
cent men. HE is really an awfully
good fellow" she thought, with q most
curious and quite novel touch of re-
morse. "Now I come to consider 1t. he
has been the most perfect of hus-
bands!" Aloud, she went on. you
agree with me, don't you. Idreana, that
it will be best just to mention it to
Claude?" ,4
Mrs. LIE MERCHANTS large. pathetic
eyes appeared to be looking dreamily
into futurity.
Eyes, it will be best" she answered
at last. Besides, our husband Is a
good man, and naturally 20 a have
no secrets from him."
Mrs. Annesley WINGED a little and
flushed. Things were not exactly as
Idreana put them. But never mindl
Idreana was always fancifuL She was
silent, and presently Mrs. LIE Marchant
spoke again.
zone thing I laws not told you" shs
said. II had a child"
You had. Idreana!' and Mrs. An
nesley gazed at her with a lurktn9
envy in her soul--for in this respect the
Fates had not been good to her.
"When?'
oh. nearly two years ago." And the
delicate face of the Belle Dame ans
Merci grew paler and more wistful.
1T was a pretty little creature. and I
always imagined it loved me. though
it was so young. 1t died when II was
three months old"
MY poor darlingl" exclaimed Mrs.
Annesley, slipping an arm round the
younger woman's waist. What a trial
for you! What a grief"
mo, it was a gladness,' said Idreana,
quietly. 81 have thanked God many q
time for my baby's death. II it had
lived-she shuddered-"it might have
grown up to be like it's father!'
The intense horror in her tone sent
quite a disagreeable chill through her
listeners blood. This was dreadful.
Idreana was dreadful; the conversation
was dreadful, 1t must he put a stop
10. Mrs. Annesley's eminently practi-
cal nature suddenly ASSERTED itself.
MY dear girl. for goodness sake.
don't let us get on these melancholy
subjects she said briskly. the social
Lolly beginning to shine out of every
feature of her still handsome facs.
You mustn't think about troubles
while you are with me. You are here
for a little change and gaiety, and I in
tend that you shall enjoy yourself.
Wen manage Captain lie Marchant,
and you will a no need to fret your
self. Just you put on a pretty gown
now. and make yourself look as sweet
as ever you can: there are some nice
fellows coming to dine tonight. and
want them to admire you. I shall havs
to run away myself now to change my
dress. viii you be Iong?"
NO" answered Mrs. LIE Marchant.
gently. Il shall not be long"
Mrs. Annesley paused on the thresh-
old. with a bright look. And, OH she
said. Il forgot to tell you that we are
going to nave a wonderful native
prince here on a vista really very
delightful Mahardjah, extremely well
educated. He speaks English perfectly
and he wears-oh, my dearl such dia-
mondsi " are going TO hold some big
receptions in his honor. and wind up
with a ball. l am sure you will enjoy
it all immensely
She nodded and tripped of. meeting
Captain lie Marchant on the way. He
was coming up to his room to dress fer