The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-04-13
The Fourth Lovely Lady

companied by her faithful cousin and
myself. returned prematurely yester.
day to the studio In time to hear her
husbands words of citation at the re-
ciprocation of his love and to find Miss
Phelps, his favored pupil. in his arms"
"Pauvrette." murmured Mr.. Mayer
consolingly to the distressed wife as
he patted the shoulder nearest to him.
"And to see that pupil devotedly
slapping his face" Sniff commented
dryly. Was she correct in fancying
she caught a glimpse of spark Of
amusement in Mr.. Pulaski's dull eyes7
If so. 1t was quickly concealed be-
meath the heavy lids. "Yes. heard
about that. The dirty little rat she
called him to me, which can hardly
be said TO be an expression of affec-
ton. And that's all you wish to tell
meT
Presents" Mrs. Mabeuse prompted.
ITO be sure" said Mr.. Pulaski brisk
~. "She showered him with presents.
Expensive paints and worries, a
watch"
"Ive heard about the watch, too, an
objet de luxe bought for her chauf-
feur's little son. VINO now has its dupli-
cate" Smif interjected.
"She needn't try to make it look less
suspicious by giving watch to a
kid" Mr.. Mayer said venomously.
"Her husband has abandoned my
cousin, left her cold. with three young
children and no means of support"
Again the abandoned ones hand
nestled In his.
Mr.. Pulaski took up the argument.
signing to the other for silence and
perhaps for circumspection.
"Deeply as she has loved him. his
wife is prepared to give him up, since
he has been weaned away from her
and she has nothing to offer In place
of the luxury her rival can lavish on
him. But it Is only fair the rich
should pay for what they take from
the poor for their amusement. Mr..
Mabeuse is still young man. We
have capitalized his earnings, allowing
for a reasonable increase as his genius
becomes recognized, and we think two
hundred thousand dollars Is not too
much to ask for the loss of his serv-
ices"
Sniff rose. THANK you very much
for a mastery exposition of your posi-
tion," she said, addressing Mr.. Pulaski.
eff you will leave your card with my
Buttons will let you know what con-
clusion we arrive at"
"See here" Mayer Jumped to his
feet and faced her truculently, 1--WE
want decision on this In a hurry, and
there's only one decision that's going
to be satisfactory. see? My cousin
and her kids have got to eat"
"Quite," said Sniff. sit is generally
accepted as a necessity of existence,
although the amounts required are
subject of grave controversy. l, my
self, in a recent course of banting,
have practically done without food for
days Frankly, I'm not impressed by
anything you have put forward. Your
position in a court of law would be
precarious one, while know Mr..
Phelps well enough to assure you that
If one word of this-ah-story leaked
out he would carry the case through
every court possible, with all the Incl
dental expenses, delays and postpone
ments, before he would consent to the
payment of one penny"
"And destroy his daughters reputa-
ton in the process?" Mr.. Pulaski
limited.
Sniff laughed. "You really are a
trifie old-fashioned, Mr.. Pulaski. This
is not the reign of Queen Victoria.
hate to disappoint you, but I'm ter
ribly afraid Miss Phelps would get
great deal of fun out of such suit. 1t
is only the point of view of the older
generation that l am taking into ac-
count when | agree to consider your
claim. Meanwhile. hold your tongues!"
81 get you" said Mr.. Pulaski.
Lady. wild horses wouldn't drag a
word out of any of us. But when do
you think you'll have news for us?"
"Next week-the week after" Smif
replied indifferently. "I'm busy
woman. Your case must wait its
turn"
THAT'S not my way of doing busi-
ness" Henri Mayer muttered.
But you've never had the pleasure
of doing business with me before, Mr..
Mayer" Sniff suavely suggested, as
she rang for Buttons to bring their
hats and usher them out.
Mr.. Nesbit's here" Buttons told her.
HE isl" she exclaimed joyfully.
"Good-by. Mrs. Mabeuse You'll ex-
cuse me. but do let me wish you all
the luck in the world-in your next
venture" she added as he left them,
going through the passage to greet
Stone