New-York tribune., 1912-02-18

"An right, responded Mrs. Cobb, If YOU haven't
GOT TO know your fancG I'm sure it, your own fault,
living right under the same roof with improperly
chapcroncd, of course And as for loving hm-ah, my
handsome bo-oy!
"Ccrtainlv, l answered. that poor young girl who
was here lust now-shc loves him, indeed.
And YOU, Lili," Then, as did not answer she rose
and came toward me- 1t seemed to that She brstlcd
visiblv like a cat whose kitten is threatened "Do-you
-lovc-Victor-or -you-Elisc;" she asked,
hammcring on each word as though It were a nail.
IN the face Of that maternal onslaught who could dare
to tell the TRUTH ! fumbled confuscdy for my an
swcr "Lovc him, Why, it depends on just what you
mean by the word If YOU speak Of dmoHr, II you mean
to ask me if am really in love with your son
Mrs Cobb brought her hand down on the bttic table
beside nv sofa with q slap that made the bottles ung
Suddenly her aspect changed her under Jaw advanced
through the open door Of her reused passion one Dchc
suddenly step forward the girl whose father had sod
drinks TO workngmcn over bar, and who iought hrF
way upward to this ladyhood.
@Lovc." She cried in withcring accents. who IN
times talking about love, anyway, Were not talking
sqush: we're talking business! When we made our
arrangements was the word ever so much as mentioned
between us, Did anyone much as think Of II
until this little IDIOT Of chorus girl buttcd in with her
silly stage rot, filling your head with 'hcsr vulgar ne"
ideas which, as YOU yourself confess quite contrary
10 your education, Why, did YOU ever Tor an instant
dream Of questioning the present arrangements I'll lhi
cOnfOundcd young trouble maker came; 10" dld s,r
come How did She get in, anyway In q properly
threshold must say, I'm surprised at Mrs Stuart
Dear Madame, | interrupted in sudden agony,
"plcasc please. The door IS opcn-r anyone should
hear
Mrs Cobb thus cut short in her flood Of cIoqucncc,
surveyed me with suddenly penetrating eyes. In spite
Of myself | felt the blood rush to my checks. Those
metallic blue eyes, fixed upon me, seemed to bore
through 10 the utmost secret Of my soul.
you seem singularly upset, Lii, She SAID Il Won
der whv," And walking 10 the door, She closed 1t
softly. Then coming back TO my sofa, "Im on, she
said in strained accents I'm Jolly well on now. You're
afraid someone will hear me talking about Mrs Stuart.
Who's someone, wonder;
Her voice was husky, her eyes suuscd. For the iTSt
time since our DAYS the steamer when she divugcd
TO me her worries about her beloved son, bchcId TINS
adroit schcmcr and intrepid champion really show the
signs Of inward CommOuon
"Thcsc new romantic views, She said these sudden
doubts about your marriage pretending to me 1t
was al for the sake Of Victor Look here ! want lhc
truth! Have you gone and fallen IN love with TINS
Harry Stuart
WHAT a question # the mere thought Of this new
w emotion, unowncd in the depths Of my heart, hal
made me qivcr with alternate bliss and terror tmnK
how disconccrng it was TO hear this inward mystery
suddenly shaped in these crude words, and flung mt"
nv teeth | could not answer. Like silly niue I'M
bccilc | hid my face in my hands.
"Wcll" said Mrs Cobb in a dry tone, that Pity'
D,,,T ~ t..,' AZ "A 81