Evening star., 1911-07-30


felt herself drifting, and she took it, addressing her
nearest neighbor.
"Mrs Cheyne don't YOU think men have abominable
taste?'
ooh, yes, aboninab1e' laughed the other. ugh!
hate mustaches too don't you?'
Camilla turned a shade roster; but her discontinue
lost in the laughter of those who remembered that
Cheyne had worn beard
"You know didn't mean just that explained Ca
mlla. "! meant their appreciation OF women, their
"Anesthetic Mrs Wray That's the only word for
a mans perceptions French frock, smart hat
little deft color and the planest of is match for
the gayest Lothario They re only bipeds, instincts
legs"
ooh, say now Rita!" laughed Bent.
1--WE can't stand for that, Mrs Cheyne, put in their
host. "I suppose you'd think ungallant if | asked
you what kind of instincts women Were.
lnstncts with Wings she purred, "angels by IN
tuition rhapsodists by occupation, and sirens by in
hertance. We're not in the least afraid of you, Mr.
Janney.
Il should think not! For my part, if l knew that
of you camping my trail d give in at once.
"Tm so glad! It's pet theory of mine that when
woman really sets her cap for man he had better give
up once for she will win him. fortune favorng, in the
end. Don't you agree Mrs. Wray?'
"Ive never thought about it, Mrs. Cheyne," said
Camilla slowly. "By fortune, you mean propinquty!
"Oh, yes-and other things, laughingly. For in
stop to consider If he was another woman husband
say your husband, Mrs Wray,-that would only add
element of interest. The more difficult an under
taking the greater satisfaction in the achievement"
Camilla looked at her steadily for a moment. "Ive
thought that any ought to be dignifed by
such extraordinary effort. A husband so easily won
away is not worth keeping
The two women had met only once before. They
both smiled, sweetly tolerant their weapons politely
sheathed. Only Cortland Bent, who knew the hearts
of both. sensed the difference between them.
"Youre very fattering, Rita, he broke in, "espec-
ally to the bipeds You've carefully deprived us Of
every attribute but legs. But still have those-and
run.
"But you don't laughed Mrs. Cheyne. "That's just
the point. You like the game, all of you. Even your
legs aren't proof against fattery.'
"Stop, Rta! put in Betty Haviland. "You re letting
all the secrets of the craft
"Come, Camilla said Cortland, rising, wouldn't
you like to the horses and dogs? It's not nearly
dark yet
ooh, yes she cried gladly, and then to her host
"What am to expect Mr. Janney, silver feed troughs
and sterilized water?"
"Oh no. said their host mot yet; but they're worth
THE pair made their way through the library and
small corridor that led to the south portico.
"How do you like my cousin Rita?" Bent asked when
they were alone outside.
as she your couSn?"
Through my mother, Of the Davldges. Quite
wonderful eh?"
a don't like her. You don't mind my saying SO, do
you?'
then, nobody takes Rita seriously. She doesn't
want them to. She's spoiled darling Everybody
pets her. That bored kind of cleverness is effective
but everybody knows she doesn mean half she says
I'D be sorry to think she meant anything she said
severely.
Bent laughed am afraid you're too sincere for my
crowd, Camilla
"Who is Mr. Chevne?" she asked suddenly
"A perfectly amiable person with bald head and
passion for domesticty and music, both of which Rita
affects despise"
"Whv did She marry him. them"
"Nobody knows. 1t was one Of the marriages that
aren't made in Heaven, that's all
"Few marriages are; but they the less binding
because of that"
eyes, know" he said soberly
She recognized the minor note and turned the subject
"Nhat heavenly SnOti These are the stables