Ladies Must Live

Riatt that Nancy Almar would be resentf

ique object of keeping herself amused. Nothing bored her more than to have the general attention centered on some one else, as all that evening it had been focussed on the absent ones. Not only did she miss the excitement of her contest with Ch

-she still counted the evening a failure, bad in the present, and extremely menacing to the future. For with her habitual mental candor, she admitted that by th

ast futile expedition to the telephone. "Can't you decide whether you'd rather the lady of your lo

ly the three meager cards he had drawn. "A modern Lady-or-the-Tiger idea. I am not of

said Nancy. "I have a point

att's irresistible quality

s his wits about him," rep

d-looking as

n are envious!" ex

s. Almar?" inquired the

female, Mr

ony nose made a man a be

am. "Just a female. Your meaning is, if I interpret you rightly, that you are

beginning to add it up. "My idea is to let the other women do the fighting; if they win, I s

tand women's taste, a

, I think that makes it, Mr. Wickham, subtracting the dollar and a half you made o

luck," observed Wickham with

are on the brink of a great amorous triump

he night, in the hope that some sudden call might come, and at six

not dare to sound any. The arrival was comparatively simple. Mrs. Ussher received her beloved Christine with open arms; Riatt went noncommittally upstairs to take a bath; Hickson had decided, in spite of his depression of spirits, to try to

the pillows and the coverlet and of her own bed-jacket. The only color about her was the yellow

ionately for her, "I hear you have brought the

to his sister but, alas, as well might a pane of glass resolve to be opaque to a ray of sunlight. Within ten minu

ositive fact that we have is that he did not leave

ible," sai

"Not at all. From your point of view most encouraging. It can

anger. "Nancy," he said, "h

mself, and that Christine is the last girl in the world to ignore that simple fact. Come, Ned, even if you do love her, you may as well admit the girl is not a perfect fool. Fate, accident, or possibly her own clever manoeuvering put the game into her hands. The question i

Christine playi

n his running away is most encouraging. It means, in your own delightful language, that he did n

ost admitted that-that he

d not be attached to such admissions. I have sometimes made them myself when the facts did not bear me out. No woman likes to c

explain it," he said, "but I received the clearest impression

ow the most painful experience

, w

is what I am inclined to think took place. No, the game is still on; only no

ly. "I thought I'd try and

away from home! Oh, yes, here it is," and she caught the atom of enamel and gold dangling at the head of her bed, and rang it without

and polished appearance. Wickham was alone in the drawing-room, and a suggestion that they should ha

s clear, but Riat

ot direct. She rang the bell and

is Mr.

room,

ess

s dressed. Resti

t," she said; and going to the writing

ltruistic-so altruistic that I feel I should sign myself 'Pro Bono Publico,' inst

the butler who found it hard enough, as it was, to keep up with all that we

satisfaction in his bearing of one who has just b

not overheard. "It was not necessary to put this interview on an altruistic bas

eyes. "Isn't that rather a reckless wa

re that I was

from him. It seemed to come spontaneously, and cou

attitude. "Are you really under

quite su

ear, innocen

the wide, low sofa, "something tells me that I sha

he said, "when I was a child I used to let the mice out of the traps-not so much, I'm afraid, from tenderness for the mice, as from dislike

am the

rather a dangerous

the seriousne

ex into the hands of mine. I would explain it to you at length, but the time is too short. The great offensive may begin at

r as I am," he ans

ve a sort of hold on you. I don't know what Christine's own attitude may be, but I can tell

tely, "your brother is not

e to take my word for that," she added without a trace of coquetry. "And so-and so-and so, if I were you, my dear Cousin Max, I should give orders to h

blood of any man run cold with terror, but he manage

e in any danger. Being a mere woman, I can be cruel, cold and selfish when the occasion

do you

e unmoved by the responsibility of some one else's unhappiness? Can you be

no!" cried Riat

while the

an instant Riatt felt himself swept by the frankest, wildest panic. Misadventures among the clouds he had had many times, and had looked a clean s

certain things you can't be

are not referring to

, I

riages in the world were not made agai

y true," he said. "And yet one

hates afterward to t

or the better part of two hours. Something is going to happen immediately. At any moment Laura may appear and

bad as that, I h

polished finger tip on the bell. "When the man com

nce between them until

ven the nece

shall be angry at you for this advice, or grateful. It's

n Wednesday, and you ca

to be much afr

atitude might be the mor

desire to inquire further into her meaning, a door upstairs was hear

y, Nancy," she

f the wanderers in some way-particularly, as

ckly at her cousin. "Ar

t, and I told the man to make arrangements for

before the four-eighteen. That midday train is taken off in winter. Didn't the footman tell you? Stupid young man; but he's new and has not learn

u are, Laura," mu

ked vague. "In

ink it's as a friend t

ehave quite fairly to me. But I love my relations, too," she added. "Max, since I'm to lose

will not. He has just promised to teach me a n

that Nancy's prophecy was comin

ame, too, Laura," he said

o you about a busi

ness during church hour

ut it after lun

acefully. "That will do just as well,"

be safely engaged, ventured back. And they were all

oman rarely fails to take in a crisis. She was wearing a deep blue dress trimmed with fur,

s they sat down. "You look very bloom

id, and she leant her elbow on the table and played with those imitation pearls which she now hoped so soon

eversion, "but I bet it was no joke in the tool-house! How an intelligent woman like you,

Mr. Riatt's own choi

tinued. "And what difference did it make? Who was there to talk? Eve

ittle venomous snake had suddenly wriggled itself into the convers

ident, Nancy? What the

s myself badly," she said. "English r

nvey your ideas,

tine had not been so unfortunately the one to

I say, Miss Fenimer," he exclaim

, I did, M

did you do

uestion. Hickson, who had been suffering f

t on purpose, Wickham. She

, Nancy darling, do you really think I hit the horse on purpose, so as to have an uninterrupted ev

f genuine admiration. This was very straight fighting. "They have the piratica

ng of it, which was more than we had here, I can tell you. We were very dreary. Mr. Wickham tried to relieve the monotony by a game of piquet, but I'm afraid he did no

"I enjoyed our

y. "We'll have anothe

aid Wickham, loo

this intelligence to Christine, and it amused her to see how she would support the blow. Christine's exp

leaving us?

to sa

simple heart bounded for joy. "She's refused him," he

ant to go home and take some care of himself.

table. "They make me feel as if I had

d said: "Don't forget that you are dining with me on Wednesday evening." She enjoyed this exhibition of power. She saw Laura and Christine glance at each other. B

, he was thoroughly disgusted with all of them-weary, as he said to himself of their hideous little games. He hardened his heart even as Pharaoh did,

lace, and signed photographs, and he pretended not to see Nancy Almar's glance, which was almost a wink, and might have be

r by the fire, with his cigarettes and his coffee besi

really bad hearted, but anything connected with Christine has alw

y, between a pirate and a bucaneer? Miss Fenimer and M

t? Christine is so much more

time, and I think you said you wanted

e finds herself. Do you realize that Nancy and Wickham between them will spread this story everywhere, with all the embellishments their fancy may dictate, particularly emphasizing the fact that it was C

y fault eit

asily save th

ow

g her to

will n

olved with s

. I'm not in love with any individual, but I know clearly the type of woman

n have fallen i

I even feel her charm

estige her beaut

ion as represented by the hectic triviality

u to do anything that I thought would make you unhappy. But this wouldn't. I know Christine better tha

ge with a man who cared nothing for her. If that is all you have to say, Lau

andon that lovely creatu

going to do nothing more t

ling to sacrific

ful, dissatisfied women in the world from marry

e, the door quickly and silently opened and Christine herself entered.

d to Riatt with a reassuring smile. "Don't be alarmed," she said. "Your most dangerous antagonist has just gone. I'

stood erect and alert by the mantel-pie

was suggesting th

nod

he can't believe we wouldn't make each other happy. And from her point of view, it is rath

only in my

. "No wonder you thought her too good for Ned. Well, that brings me

rette from his mouth and very carefully studied the ash, but could think

ickson?" he aske

ccustomed to the idea myself. It isn't exactly an easy

contrive to make it a

make Ned a bad wife. He will be very happy, and Nancy and I will be

ainly

iresome! If I had had any idea my filial deed in going to find my father's

er there wasn't some other way out; but knowing that he himself was the only oth

g, too. But it will be all over in an instant, and you can take

ed, and sh

Ned, is more ugly than has yet appeared. They are holding one thing up their sleeve. Ned, it seems, noticed the track of your feet leaving the hou

eople y

ou what a wonderful advantage it would be for you t

what any man who married you ought to do with you," he added with sudden vigor. "He ought to

uite exciting. Hitherto I have taken New York for granted, but now I shall add it

t is

l authenticated offer of mar

ave the honor to a

, that isn't at all what I mean. Do you suppose Wickham and Nancy will believe me just because

ing in

hesi

ut with a framed proposal like a college

th a band or

end for Nancy to come here now and consult with me as to whether I shall accept your offer or not. If I told her before you,

will advise y

m the awful fate she is reserving for her broth

iew would appear to Mrs. Almar after the conversation before lunch. He consoled himself, however, by the thought th

Mrs. Almar to come here for a few minutes and speak to me. Tell her it is very important. Isn't it strange," she

al clearer notion o

I say, and contrive to look a little depr

than to look depresse

r the idea that Laura had been urging me on your reluctant acceptance. By the way, you did seem able

hing. Had it been you yourself, with streaming eyes-" He loo

ve my life," she observed. "Cert

rce in which he was only reading some regular actor's part; and when presently the door

n finding that she was interrupting a tête-

re teaching Wickham piquet. Sit down. This is the reason I sent for you. As o

your best friends,

of Mr. Riatt. There's no question as to what her advice would be. In fact," said Ch

s. Almar gave a glance like

minute I spend here is a direct pecuni

e, Mr. Riatt has thought it necessary to ask me to marry him. I say he has thought it necessary, because in spite of all his flattering protestations, I can't help feeling that he's done it fro

ave I been called away from the care of my depleted bank account to take part in a farce like this?" she cried. "You ought to be

you always are. I see what you mean. You think no one will believe that

t," said Nancy, and mo

" said Riatt, firmly. "Y

k Miss Fenimer to marry

w that request?"

d

sture of a queen. "And I very gratefull

" said Mrs. Almar, and she went out of

f his newly affianced wife from him. "May I

n instant Riatt really thought that the strain of the situation had been too mu

as funnier," she gasped,

Do you take in," he asked her sternly,

plighted it

ised to r

the record would bear me out. You inferred it, I dare say. Besides, what could I do? Even

what

e calling you Max, mustn't I?" In attempting to repress an irrepressible smile she developed an unk

this month you have no

e its termin

had not spoken, "must get into th

oulders with a gesture that no one could have mist

o doubt of my wis

where I go

ough I did say to myself the very first time I saw you, coming downstairs in that well-cut coat of yours-or is it the shoulders?-I did say: 'I could be h

was the first requisi

aid, "why any one shouldn't want to be married, but I can't

sure you will

ite: This is to certify that I, Christine Fenimer,

t," sai

answered, and sit

to make me an offer of marriage, which I knew at the time he had no wish to fulfil, and I hereby solemnly vow and s

k, and for goodness' sake don't let your pocke

away, observing as he did so: "It's

eem as long

directness he had learnt from her own methods, "tha

at all. "Well, I thin

: Even if I were in love with you, you are not th

would

ng in love with you-which I don't-I sho

any harder than you have. You

Feni

tine,

not the least bit

re not whistling to k

te s

hall I add it to the contract: And I credit his repeated assertion that he is not and never

gnoring her last suggestion. "What did you mean whe

ly engaged, but he doesn't know it. You and

d," he retur

you know it and I know

doesn't

or of the situation. He walked a

position lies in my good nature and willingness to keep up appearances. Neither one is a rock of defense. I'm not, as you said yourself,

te that," she an

And I don't particularly enjoy threa

ow I rather like you w

returned, "for you will prob

you have no more hateful things to say, let's go and tell our