New-York tribune., 1909-01-17


has them there You'll be invited, OF course Sup
pose we make 1t next Friday. Also. ask her to send
me a complete list of the gifts She has received to
date. in chronological order
THE next day a letter came from Miss Quarich in
reply To Naleska note She SAID that. as her
butler was usually away Fridays, She would prefer
20 have the dinner thursday And. She added,
do. please bring that pretty Miss Wynuc. II She
will pardon my nformality in not calling myself 10
invite her But m 50 busy etc
On Thursday evening therefore, Astros hrougham
bore the two 10 Miss Quarichs residence on upper
Lexiugton-lvc Thcy were admitted by the Jap
anese butler. and. entering The drawing room,
found the Two men Of the party already waiting
Thomrson the elder IF the two. was typical man
about town bullet headed, red faced with cropped
red muStdchc, and II a JovlaL magnetic tcinISTd-
mcnt. care had scarcely rubbed elbows with lom
Thompson and he was full of the gossip OF the day.
cordial hearty, and evidently innocuouS. CIerrlsh
was more stIdve, with clever head. egg shaped.
smooth shaved with sensitive mouth and smiling
ewes.
4 moment after. Miss Quarich appeared, attired
in the most modern Of Empire gowns, revealing her
slim 1.-the figure and beautiful neck. She young
and merry with dark eyes full of coquetry- She vel
coined Valesla with little, patrorizing snUggle.
and held out her hand to Astro, who bent over 1t
and kissed it gracefully. Then their ewes met. and
Miss Ouarich blushed II became her Charmlngy.
Valeska meanwhile. had turned to the men. and her
eyes and wits were busy. sam. the japanese butler,
came in with cocktails tray. Neither Of the
women INDUCED; but the men drank their healths.
each with a characteristic compliment Then they
went into the dining room.
As Sam, with the crisp, imrersonal, quiet dignity
# his race passed from guest to another serving
both Astro and Valeska watched the two other
guests sharply. The showed himself thoroughly
faH as always when he accepted such social
invitations.
once or twice during the meal, Astro's eyes
sought Naeska's, with a questioning expression.
The faintast possible shake of the head was his only
answer The two divided their attention be
tween Miss Quarich and Naeska Wynne with discre-
ton and tact. The talk on in social common
places of the theaters, of the newspaper topics Of
the day, Of sporting events. That Astro was any
thing than the merest society butterfly or the
faVOrite f the moment would have suspected.
Yet again and again he shot his shrewd look across
the table his assistant, and his glance in their
secret language pointed her attention many things
a FTER the sweets, the women retired up stairs
"a to Miss Quarich's private sitting for their
coffee and a few moments of relaxation.
"Well;" said Miss Quarich, passing her golden
'.Theyre both immensely interested in YOU, it
seems to me"
Miss Ouarichs brows rose. My dear" She
said, 1t struck me that you came IN for some notice
also"
Valesla smiled - But I don't expect to receive a
present from either of them on Saturday, however.
Miss Ouarich sat up with animation. " 1t S great
fun Of course she said; but 1t 5 tantal1Zlng L
would never suspect either of them OF being TO-
mantle OF course I've had loads of flowers and
books and all that sort OF thing from men, and 6oth
of these have been, you say, interested-and at
tentive In fact each of them has come dangerously
near to--a refusal" She laughed merrily
Do YOU recall having mentioned the size OF your
shoe to either of them
Not at all; though either might have found out,
If he tried hard enough
And about the album?
oh, | recall having mentioned one | saw, one
night al dinner when they We're both there l must
show II to you" She rang bell at her side, and
shortly maid appeared. "Stebbns will you bring
that album the table in my room pease?
When it came, Valeska examined it interestedly.
1t was made in imitation of the Renaissance volumes