The Washington herald., 1914-05-16
DAILY SHORT STORY.
WHEN H0RTENsE INTERPRETED
ny ELLA RANDALL PEARCE.
lCunright MI

(Copyrght. fQa.l
Mrs. Hortense Bevier had been look
ing at her cousin with unusual interest.
furtively at first across the little lunch
con table. and now with q bold directness
that had an immediate effect.
Her host shifted uneasily In his chair,
wrinkled his brow, and smoothed one
hand with the other Then his mild
blue eyes lifted to meet the stare of
his cousins black ones. What now,
Hortense?" he asked amiably.
"oh, I'm coming to that" Mrs. Bevier
laughed shortly. ''Of course, you know
I've come for something. I'm too busy
a woman to pay aimless visits, or go
wandering about the country just for
the fun of IL. Yes. Basil: there 10 some
thing on my mind" She looked refec-
lively at him. her expression softening.
you know i have your interests at
heart, don't you? Sounds trite. but it's
true. And don't like to interfere in
your affairs: but-Fve always had to
dear. simple-hearted dreamer.'
And you're such q wise, worldly per-
son. drawled Basil.
Hortense sat straight in her chair. and
her black eyes flashed across the silver
tea set. Sonia Gibbs" she snapped ex-
pressively.
Basil wakeiy. too. Eat little straight
er. and tinse Of color warmsd his feat
urss: bot he spoke gently. why should
you wish to interfere-there? Miss Gibbs
and I are above reproach. aren't we?''
AS indiyiduals-yes. But. Basil.
have learned Of your attention to her, un-
from you-and after all these years,
Sonia Gibbs. Of all women!'
Her cousin smiled induigently. I've
present a striking contrast, I know" he
agreed. But somehow, We manage to
get on pretty well together"
''Oh, Sonia would get on with anybody
IL she set herself to IT." Hortense shook
her head. Basil. it's nonsense-it's mad
ness! II you go on with this affair. you
will spoil your whole life. In one way
or another you will spoil It. I must
speak frankly; ] must warn you. OF
all the women I know, Sonia Gibbs Is the
most frivolous and superficial: the most
restless and eapricious. The fashionable
world is her world. and her time Is given
to all the petty designations Of her set"
Hortense rose and put her arm affec-
tionately over her cousins shoulder.
You are a man who loves simple liv-
ing; a scholar; dreamer; q dweller In
the haunts of nature. You care more for
your garden than for the parade grounds
of the town. Basil. listen to me. I
know Sonia's type well. She may be
only trifing with you-fiirting. As we call
it-but. even IL she Is sincere and should
marry you, she will make you most un-
happy"
You are talking Of marriage with a
woman I have not begun to court yet"
said Basil politely. Il thank you for
your interest. Hortense, but think you
misjudge Sonia Gibbs. She 10 high
spirited and impulsive, but she is not SO
much In love with fashion and folly as
you think. II Is the only life she has
ever known; but she has her ideals and
her creams"
Fudge and fiddle sticks!" snapped
Hortense, Indignantly. "Oh, Cousin
Basil, you're the limit. OF course, Sonia
can talk to suit her audience. But I
should like to see her out Of her element
here. for instance" She waved hand
to Indicate the simply furnished apart
ment, the net-draped window opening
upon q cosy porch, the Towering garden
beyond. Sonia In the country. Sonia In
a cottage! She smiled mockingly. II
think even you would see the incongruity
of It. Think Of Sonia Gibbs in . linen
frock and a shade hat working in your
gardenr
Il have thought OF IT," replied Basil.
gravely. Tt Is q pretty picture"
We'll, she never thought Of it. I'll
wager. You've seen her in her natural