Evening star., 1911-06-04

every morning."
Il don't see how you could do otherwise,
I retorted. IL don't see why everybody in
the neighborhood doesn't hear it."
Natalie doesn't" she laughed; "but per-
haps she doesn't want to hear it, since
Hap"
Il suppose you know / interrupted,
"that l get up only to stop the racket He
beats me every mornng-every morning.
I've been thinking he might let me win once
to encourage me; but it's fair field and no
quarter with him.
Gracious, Loulie! that's the greatest
compliment he can pay you! You play aw-
fully good tennis. I've been watching
Il thought so once | admitted; but
I've discovered that l do everything fairly
and nothing well. The trouble with me, and
I'm just finding it out is that l have gen.
eralized and not specialized. | think Miss
Sargent was rather cross at me for the mud
die | made of her no trumps' last night
"She couldn't have done any better her
self. You couldn't help it if John had fifteen
of suit, and got in"
"She plays a rattling good game" l de-
Tended, "and I'm sorry have to help her
lose her money!
"And her future husband as WE'LL" she
taunted.
"Nothing of the kind" denied. "He was
never engaged to her. He told me So"
$50! You re that far along!" She smiled
mvsteriously.
1--WE are not any far along smiled back
cheerfully. Really, truly, cross my heart!
If you are so wise, you might see that If |
have designs upon anybody it is Charlie
Aver" That was a jab. l knew it went
home from the way she turned suddenly and
looked at me.
"You can't mean it, Loulie?' She re-
I,,f 7
in vague sort of way. | had to get in that
pacemaking stunt occasionally.
"Have you noticed that l encourage
him. l asked.
@Yes,' she replied, "and it's shame to
firt with him. He's such good sort and SO
deadly serious. He's going to make some
girl good, gaddy, rattle Drained husband
That's exactly what think, | laughed.
"But you, Dear She paused, dis
mayed. Il refuse to believe it. want you
in the family, anyhow. Besides, Charlie is
give him up
She fell so easily into the trap! How very
wise Mrs. Hazard was, to be sure!
Il thought you wanted Mr.. Abbott?" l
said.
Il haven't decided"
@It's shame to flirt with him" quoted.
@He's such good sort, and"
"Oh, Louie, shut up" she laughed. "You
know he hasn't asked me-.
well, then, we could fight for Charlie
went on.
"All right, we will fight for him." she an
swered; "but l feel desperately sorry for
Hap
WE went out through den which, she
explained to me, was sort OF SUBJ
lirnated cardroom where the men might play
poker when the lights were out and the rattle
of chips would disturb no one. The outer
door of the den opened upon a corridor
which abutted the wing, with steps leading
down to our floor and up to the picture gal
lery. We went up.
was amazed at the size of the gallery and
the number of pictures it contained. Men
were upon ladders removing the winter COW
erings and revealing old masters. felt as if
| had stepped into corner of the Louvre or
come upon slice of the National Gallery.
"Why, l never quite comprehended-
this!' said to Laura. "Have the newspa-
pers ever had anything to say about it?"
"Oh, yes" she replied; "but there's
nothing actually remarkable here-just good
things. Some are unknown, some are even
disputed; although my father wanted them
and bought them. This Velasquez, for in
stance, looks bad enough to be real, doesn't