The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-01-15


opera and play IT decently, too. with
the proper harmonies. Anything ne
nnds amusing he is clever with-dogs,
horses, pen, brush, music, women.
That was too malicious, for Sylvia had
flushed up painfully. and Grace Fer
rail- dropped her gloved hand on the
hand of the girl beside her, Child
child" she said, "he is not that sort.
No decent man ever is unless the girl
is too"
Sylvia, sitting up very straight in her
furs. said, He found me anything
but difficult, if that's what you mean
"I don't. Please don't be vexed, dear.
l plague everybody when | see an
opening. There's really only one thing
that worries me about it all.
what is that?" asked Sylvia, with
out interest.
cts that you might be tempted to
care a little for him, which, being use
less, might be unwise."
81 am-tempted."
"Not seriously"
az don't know" She turned In
sudden nervous impotence foreign to
her. Howard Quarter is too perfect
ly imperfect for me. I'm glad I've said
It, The things he knows about ana
doesn't know have been q revelation IN
this last week with him. There is too
much surface. too much exterior ad-
mirably fashioned, and inside Is au
clOckwork.
The low whizzing hum of the motor
filed a silence that produced CONSTR
cradle effect upon Grace Ferrall, and.
after mastering her wits, she SAID I'D
a subdued voice:
'rOf course it's my meddling."
"Of course it isn't. | asked your
opinion. but | knew what ! was going
to do. Only did think him personally
possible. which made the expedlency'
the mercenary view of it. easier to
contemplate.
She was becoming as frankly brutal
as she knew how to be, which made
the revolt the more ominous
Sylvia dear. | wish | hadn't med
died. I'm medding some more. ! sup
pose, when | say to you. Don't give
Howard his congo for the present. IL
Is horribly common thing to dwell
upon. but Howard is too materially
Important to be cut adrllt on the I'M
pulse Of the moment"
Il know it,
"You are too clever not to. Consider
the matter wisely, dispassonately, In
diligently, dear then If by April you
simply can't stand it, talk the thing
over with me again, she ended rather
vaguely and wistfully. for 1t had been
her hearts desire to wed Sylvtas Deau-
ty and Quarters fortune.
DO you believe could induce him
to wear his hair any way except pom
Ipadour?" said Sylvia. And, dear, his
beard is so dreadfully silky. Isn't
there anything he could take for it?''
Only a razor, I'm afraid. Those
long. thick, soft eyelashes of his are
ominous. Eyes Of that sort ruin
man for my taste. He might just as
reasonably wear my hat"
But he can't follow the fashions in
eyes," laughed Sylvia. "Oh, this is
atrocious of us-it is simply horrible
to sit here and say such things. | am
cold blooded enough as it is, material
enough. mean, covetous, contemplate"
Dear said Grace Ferrall mildly,
! you are not choosing a husband; you
are choosing career"
Grace. DO you wish me to marry
him%
What is the alternative. dear?"
why, nothng-self respect, dowdi-
ness and peace"
as that al2"
"All | can see"
Not Stephen Slward"
ITO marry? No To enjoy? Yes.
Grace, l have had such a good time
with him. You don't know! He is
such boy sometimes, and IL be-
lieve that | am rather good for him.
Not that I'd ever again let him do
that sort of thing. Besides, his curl
osity is quenched. am the sort he
supposed Now he's found out he Will
be nice. It's been days since I've had
q talk with him. He tried TO, but |
nasty things about him when Howard
was present - nothing definite, only
hints. smiling silences, innuendoes on
the verge of matters rather unfit, and
had nothing definite to refute. l
could not even appear to understand
or notice, II was all done In such a
horribly vague way. But 1t only made
me like him, and no doubt that actress
he took to the PATRONS is better com
pany than he finds III nine places out
Of ten among his own sort"
"Oh," said Grace Ferrall slowly, III
that is the way you feel | don't see
why you shouldn't play with Mr.. ST.
ward whenever you like"
"Nor |. I'VE been perfect fool not
to. Howard hates him"
now 90 you Knowr
"What a question! A woman knows
such things Then, you remember that
caricature-so dreadfully like Howard
"a haa no aauaa ~ huxnnr