SHORT STORIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 58

SHORT STORIES.

A MATTER OF PREJUDICE.

By

M. M. Morley.

[COPYRIGHT.] “Oh, yes, Aunt Grace,” called Harriet Wilder from the lounge, “it s all very well to tell me to be prudent, but there is Mrs Clayton’s reception, and there is Romaine Mcllrath ! Now how in the world are tae two to be brought together if I am kept a here ' Tell me that, Aunt Grace, if you can.” “Airs Clayton—Roinaine Mcllrath—l don’t understand,” said Mio Burton. “Of course you don’t. Romaine Mcllrath is my beautiful New York friend. She has come to make me a visit; arrived last night. 1 shall give a ball for her when I get well, but in the meantime, while I am sick and father and mother are away, what is to be done to amuse her? She must go to Airs Clayton's' reception.’’ At this point there was a rustle of silk skirts in the corridor, and a pleasant voice cried cheerily, “May I come in?” When Mrs Burton had been introduced to her niece’s lovely friend the subject of the Clayton reception was resumed with gusto. At last Miss Mcllrath said, plaintively, “There is still another reason Airs Burton, why I wish to stay quietly at home with Harriet, but she will not lis ten to me. My trunks have not put in an appeartnee yet, and I have nothing to wear save my travelling gown and the little silk I have on.” “Well, my dear child, with your pretty face no one will trouble about jour gown,” responded Airs Burton, beamingly. “No, Harry has quite talked me over, and I think if you don't mind going with my Jack the plan she proposes is a very nice one indeed.’’ “But my gown?” “Is all right,” interposed Harriet. “It, is nice of its kind, fresh, and well made. Besides, the entertainment is only a, small one. There will be only a few people there, but they will be very select, and you are sure to enjoy it immensely.’’ “Will the Air Alanderville whom you used to tell us about at school be there?” “Robert Manderville? Yes, he will be there, but don't count on his paying you the least attention. He has eyes only for wallflowers and antedeluvian relics of the female species. He is so fearful of being marrred for his money that lie dares not marry at all, and religiously avoids all women, under forty, who can boast so much as the shadow of a charm.” The discussion resulted in Romaine’s attending the reception, escorted by young Burton. She felt somewhat out of place as dazzling women swept past her, on Airs Clayton’s bread staircase, for her snug httle coat and natty brown hat contrasted oddly with their brocaded and erminetrimmed wraps. It was a novel sensation to her, and for the moment she wished she had not come. When Jack Burton conducted her to their host, and hostess, Airs Clayton declared herself delighted to see Miss Wilder’s friend. “Harriet entertains a great- deal,” she added : “I hear she is soon to have a visit from Miss AfcTlrath, of New York.” “This is Aliss Mcllrath,’’ explained Jack. Ah, to be sure! I must have confused the two: the name of Aliss Wilder’s New York friend has escaped me- for the moment, though I am sure it begins with Mac. You will probably meet her. Alias Alcllrath, she is said to be very brilliant.” Mrs Clav ton wa looking over their heads as she spoke, and they' knew it was time to move on. Jack d:d his best to introduce Romaine, but the people whom he presented merely bowed, hoped she was enjoying B , and pahsed on. At last, determined to give t the lad a brief respite, Romaine sent him off to seek his own divertirement, declaring she must seek a moment’s rest in a quiet corner. She had not been alone many minutes, however, when a man who had been quietly observing her from the other end of the room approached anil drew her into conversation. “You are examining the Corot. T see,” he began, “have you seen the Aivavosky in the other room?’’ “No, indeed,” answered Romaine, interested at once, “where dees it bang?” “Allow me to show you.” Romaine liked the face of this stranger; it was smooth shaven, and had about it an expression of good-natured irony that was at once agreeable and perplexing. His comments on the paintings were intelligent but abrupt; she constantly found herself wishing he would say more. He drew a chair for her in the best light, and then stood leaning against a table, a little to the rear, studying her while she studied the pictures. “It is wonderful! Perfectly wonderful 1” sighed Romaine, almost under her breath. •‘Yes, Aivavo-ky certainly handles that style of subject, Aliiss—Abss —” began her companion, but faltered at the name. Itor*aine laughed, and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Let us both conf ss,” said she, “that neither of us caught the other’s name when we were introduced, just now, on the stairs.” “By all means. Let us confess—and then, pray, let us leave the matter right there. Names are a nuisance! 1 might not like yours- that would be unfoi tunate. You might detest mine—and that would be horrible.” Romaine was amused with his whim. “Then you think there will be no danger farther on, of a too early seen unknown, and known too late,’ condition of affairs?’’ “None—my family is a harmless one. We have no feuds, and I am willing to risk yours.”

“You are rash.” Thc-y chatted together until Jack came for Remain e. “Good evening Mr Manderville, I’m awfully glad you’re here!’’ he VOyfully exclaimed, on catching sight of her companion. Ron; a hie was electrified. Manoen'ilie ! Robert Alandervile! Harriet’s words recurred to her, “He avoids any woman who can boast even the shadow of a charm.” Then he had been lingering with her, not to hear her wise comments on the paintings, but because —Yts, dress certainly did make a difference, even to Romaine Mcllrath! Harriet was watching for her as she stoie through the corridor about midnight, “Did vou have a good time, dear?” she (failed, “Yes, perfectly fine!” was the enthusiastic response. “Only, Harry, the one man to show me the least attention was— Robert Alanderville.” “Robert Manderville!” gasped her friend with wonder and dismay in her voice. “Why, Romaine, what was the matter!” The dance which Mrs Wilder gave for Miss Mcllrath a week or so later proved a most gorgeous affair. And of all the brilliant women there assembled Romaine herself received the most admiration and praise. When Robert Manderville was presented to Miss Mcllrath, lie greeted her as a perfect stranger; bowed low, hoped, in a conventional phrase, that she was enjoj'ing B , and made his escape. “There, what did I tell you !” whispered Harriet, triumphantly. “You are no wallflower to-night; he doe 3 not even recognise you.” But Romaine watched her opportunity, and when Manderville begged for a waltz, as lie was in duty bound to do, said roguishly, “You have a short memory, sir, and seem to have forgotten that we have met before.” “Mv visits in New York are so brief, Miss Mcllrath,” he answered glibly, looking everj'where and anywhere but at the lady on his arm, “and I meet so many charming ” “Of course you do. New York is full of them. But I am not asking such a stretch of memory as that, I am simply referring to the reception at Airs Clayton’s two weeks ago.” Alanderville brought his eyes to her face with sudden interest. He gave a start, then stood still in the promenade. “What, really! Yes, you are the same. Same eyes—same hair! How stupid I have been!” he ejaculated. “Yes, very,” she agreed, demurely. “But Jack addressed you that night as AJiss Romaine?” “To be sure—by my first name. Don’t you see?” They resumed their walk. Presently Manderville said, “Alay I ask, Aliss Roinaine why you attended the recention incognito?” “For shame! What a worshipper you must be of dress, to ask such a question.” Romaine laughed wickedly. “Who knows but that I desired to test the proverbial charity of a certain gentleman towards wallflowers. ” From that moment the social wovld of B—— was astounded bv the frank devotion of Robert Manderville to the beautiful Miss Alcllrath. When Harriet ventured to rally him about it some months -■‘ter, and to enquire how he ever overcame his avertion to Society leaders, he gave her no satisfaction, but only smiled mysteriously, and quoted : “My only love, sprung of my only hate ! Too early seen unknown, and "known too late!”