The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-05-01
The Ambition of
Mark Truitt

1.-THE slight satiricai smile that was be.
coming habit with him appeared
again. And again II was at himself,
because ne rather fancied the strik-
n Ing image in the glass-the slender
figure in black and white. surmounted
BY the pale angular face with the
stern mouth and brilliant eyes. lie
Ieven thought that. when IL wore that
smile, IL bore a faint likeness TO Hen
lev himself.
The smile deepeued. This is sheer
vanity The thought pleased never
! theless
lie descended barely In time TO join
I Unity in greeting their guests
/ lie did not see a deeper vanity in
\ his feeling OF superiority over his
\ guests Higsbee was big beefy man,
red OF oountenance and with raucous
voice that grated on Marks nerves.
! Hs was rough. not 70 say boisterous,
I in manner. and his notion OF wit was
7 y eiled smuttiness essays 20 which
T, Uuity, incompatible hostess. paid the
perfect compliment OF shocked laugh
and 4 blush Beneath his surface bold
ness ran an undercurrent OF timidity
that became udicrous confusion on
an occasion when sharp glance from
his lady called his attention 20 an err
ror In the matter OF forks.
Mark, with Henley's comment fresh
in mind, was disposed 90 be critical
OF Mrs Higsbee. She was small a
little too deliberately dressed and be
jeweled, and assertive. Her admitted
prettiness did not blind 20 something
hard and metallic about her. IF !
tapped her" Mark said 10 himself
she would ring like a piece OF brass.
His choice OF metal was happy.
How Unity. in her simple gown and
delicate loveliness. shone~by the con
trast! She was gracious. restrained.
and presided az the Table with an easy
grace that was altogether charming
This manner was not an inheritance
from Bethel days, nor yet a studied
acquisition from the city " was q
gift and proved DryyeHA auestion&naf
IisgsIF when she aspired 10 loftier
planes. had thE tryie vision r Is pesi
sible her sweetness. 10 those VINO did
not care for honey in large quantities.
might have been a bit cloyirg and
cavilers would have said that she led
the conversation too exclusively. But
these were minor flaws TO be forgiven
in one so pleasing 10 the eye.
The dinner was well cooked and
served. which Was not always true
when the FRUITS dined alone, Mark
are aparingly, the while cycling cove
tously the viands with which he dared
not indulge himself He barely tasted
the wines, served as commanded in
Unity's book on Dinner Etiquette.
(Alas for the white-ribbon morality
Of Unity's upbringing!) He talked lii
tie, neither Higsbee's coarse daring
nor the ladies' light gossip OF plays,
latest books and mutual acquaintance
especially OF mutual acquaintance
being fields in which he felt az
home But he was secretly much
amused when to Unitys casual men
ton OF Mrs Henley's call, Mrs. Higs-
bee replied with the invidiogs sug-
gestion that Mrs. Henley was a good
deal of a snob And when Unity coun-
tered sweetly, do you think so?
haven't found her So" he chuckled
aloud.
He explained the chuclSle "One
mustn't look a gift horse in the
mouth" At which crude remark Higs
bee guffawed, Mrs Higsbee Uttered
maliciously and Unity looked panied
All three had suspicion OF what he
knew: that Mrs. Henleys call had
been under orders, a gift from Hne-
ley.
Later he smoked. slowly and very
approximately, a mild cigar. which
lasted until Higsbee had consumed the
second.
How Higsbee asked once. INTACT
fully, did you get Henley to send his
wife around"