The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-08-14

p6Idi.
1t was still early in the season, the
hotel just beginning to receive it's
complement of guests. Said the elder
of the two to her companion, whose
acquaintance she had made that
morning:
II am afraid shall find it very dull
here, accustomed as / am to a great
deal of society. Don't you feel the
same?"
Il shall not mind it, as we expect
to go in few days. replied the
other. This house has been the sub
ject of litigation for many years. My
husband thinks, however, that it can
be wound up satisfactorily to all par
ties this fall. He has been going
about among the farmers and old. resi-
dents, taking dispositions, since Sun
day."
The other stiffened perceptibly.
rs your husband -stenog-
rapher?"
Her vis-a-vis smiled serenely.
mo, he is Judge Wilcox" she re-
piled.
Judge Wilcox! Oh, l beg your par
don! But when you said"
1T is of no Importance, l assure
you,' observed the lady of the en-
broidery, coldly, using her needle for
a toothpick, and staring into vacancy
with far-away look in her eyes.
Her companion welded the fan
more slowly; she felt thoroughly un-
comfortable. The Wilcoxes were peo-
pie well recognized as prominent mem
bers of a certain class of society, on
the edge of which the other lady was
still lowering, with strong hope of
soon passing the magic circle. What
if by her tactless remark she had lost
precious opportunity.
The judges wife perceived her en-
barrassment, and enjoyed it as only
they can who delight in returning the
soul-thrusts they themselves are ac-
customed to receive. But the other
was not so easily daunted.
YES she said thoughfully, 81
ought to have known. l have so often
heard my husband mention Judge Will
cox in the highest terms. 1 remem-
| Der last year, at the time of the fall
of that large apartment building in
Clarendon Place, Mr.. Sparks thought
it fine thing of the judge to refuse
to conduct the defense. No one is
better calculated than he-my hus-
band-to distinguish between good
and bad work. And the masonry of
that house was shockingly bad"
ooh, your husband is brick-mason,
Mrs. Sparks?" said Mrs. Wilcox
sweetly, in the tone of one upon whom
a light had suddenly dawned-who
was feeling that she had her innings
and could afford to be gracious.
"a brick-mason!" exclaimed the
other lady. Not at all! He is the
Mr.. Sparks of Sparks and Fowel."
1t was her turn to bride and bride
she did. The fan lay idle on her
capacious lap, and she shook her head
as though a bee had lighted beneath
the puffs and curls that crowned it.
"And now | should beg your par
don, Mrs. Sparks!" was the amiable
reioinder from the lips of Mrs. Will
cox. "And l am sure do it with all
my heart. The judge has the highest
opinion 1of Sparks & Fowel. L once
heard him call them incorruptible."
Thank you!" murmured Mrs.
Sparks, once more restored to
equanimity.
For a moment there was silence,
Mrs. Wilcox remembering that her
husband had often said he would like
to have the architects legal business,
and Mrs. Sparks hoping she might be
able to bring the two men together
for their mutual benefit. With a
spontaneous movement as though to
manifest the incipient friendliness be-
tween them, the two ladies edged
nearer each other.
my husband is here Ct don't mind
telling YOU on the business of the
new Catholic church." said the archi
tect's wife. you must have heard
of course, that the rich Miss Van
Anken is to build one-a sort OF
memorial chapel?"
mo, l hadn't heard of it."
eyes, she is prepared to do it al
once. She will be down here today
or tomorrow to make the final ar
rangements. That is why we came.
"Ah, l see!" observed Mrs. Wilcox
with increased respect for the firm OF
Sparks & Fowel-and CORRESPONDENCE
their female representative
After that the tanning began once
more, and the needle returned to its
legitimate employment.
by the way" asked the architects
wife, have you seen the latest ar.
rival?"
mo. Gentleman or lady?"
Neither. Very likely some school
teacher or stenographer on her vaca
ton. wonder that they admit such
people here. Probably they do it to
exc outNthe servants wages. sup
pose rooms are cheap on the sixth
floor"
rs she domiciled there?"
"Oh, I don't know! She walked ul
from the station and carried her own
luggage very small, straw suitcase
l judge by what saw
I'm not particularly interested in
that sort of people," observed Mrs
Wilcox languidly But agree with
you; they ought to be kept in theiI
place.
There she is now!" whispered
Mrs. Sparks, as a young lady issued