Told in Confidence.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13490, 11 January 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

Told in Confidence.

"Are you sure it- isn't- hero-worship?" ixrid Mrs. Gray. "It's too much personal for that," answered Feona Dale. " Your lirst love?" " My last!" " Say up to-date!" " Xo, for eternity !" Mrs Gray looked at- her friend with a roguish smile. Feona Dale was lovely, but- not at all amusing. Millie Gray bad bten described as the prettiest ugly woman in London," and w:.i> very amusing. They both knew the value of contrast, and were great friends. Fergus Bond was the subject in discussion—Fergus Bond, novelist—the farmus Mr Bond. " What makes you think he—he Mrs Gray hccitoted for a word. "Don't say " reciprocate'!" plea.ud !•'•.>■>- na. "It sounds to absurd."

"As lit* is an author,shall I say collaborates?" asked Mrs Gray. Feona laughed aud blushed. '"Oh I know! But lie is to letkeutand shy." "Young?" asked Mrs Gray. Feona discreetly guessed him two y<\n -i older than herself. " Rich ?" Feona was careful to 1 - t his income <.xcced that of her friend's litieband. "Good looking?" Feon:t added to liis h.ight, and lrdrnvd hi> weight. "Many relations " .• Feona was happy to Bay only one brother. That's fortunate!" said Milli? Gray—everybady knows how she quarrels with her husband's family—"l wish I could help you !" " Yes, you're 60 ckv-sr!" exclaimed Feona. Mrs Gray gave her friend's cheek a gentle pinch, envying her lovely complexion. "\\ ell, I'm not- go foolish as I look !" "I'm Mire you're not!" cried Feona warmly. Mrs Gray forgave Feona's beauty for the sake of her stupidity. "You darling!" she said. "Millie. I'm anxious for you to meet—come in, old boy—Mr Bond"—my wife. It was Johnuv Grav who introduof-d them between 'the acts of "The New Aladdin," bringing hi> acquaintance of three minutes into ihe box as if he were his dearest, friend. "Im so pkawd to meet you." Raid Mrs. Gray. "Knew- you would l>?!" exelainx-d her husband. He's sittin' with dour old friend*, the Griersor.s.Millie —you remem- - ber the Griersons? met 'em first time last August—what do you think of the piece? Ilippin* ain't it ? Seen 'The Bondman ?' Not half as amusin' as this —jolly eruption—what?" " Why don't you go and talk to the Griersons, dear?" interrupted his wife. "So I will!" said Jolinnv jumping up. "Never thought of it! "Decent chap, Grierson. take my chair, Mr Bond—good piece this " Johnny talked himself out, aud his wife gave a sigh of relief. She tried Mr Bond on several topics. Ho was handsome, she thought, but dull. The minutes flew, and Millie Tew desperate. ° "Are you the famous Mr Bond?"' she suddenly asked. " No!" exclaimed her companion. "Then it's your brother, I suppose?" said Mrs. Gay. " What in the world do you ir.f?an by 'famous'?" he replied, bluntly. " Oh, you -must ask your brother himself!" she answered, ""it is hard to define." "Will you be as good as to try?" he said. Little Mrs. Gray begun to dislike him. "If a man is as famous ns Mr Fergus Bond," the said. " lii- world applauds his vanity, flatten; his whims, and—tolerates his jelations. "So that is being famous?" said Mr Bond, after a pause. Mr*. Gray disliked him thoroughly. "You must really asi: y.-nr brother," she repeated, feebly. "Do you know iiirns.tid Mr Bond. '* I know nil abont him !" she arcwereii coolly. "Do yon? All about Fergus Bond?" he queried. "Yes! I know that he's absuidlv shv. and undervalues his own abaility,'*' said Mrs. Gray. "And your source of information he asked smiling. Mrs. Gra ypondered. Tho curtain was about to rise. Sha saw her husband leaving the stalls. It was a minute for swift courage. " Feona Dale!" she answered. Her companion started, and she stooped forward eagerly.

"Feona is in love with the famons Mr Bond!" she said, in little gasps. "But he haen't the wit to see it! He can write wonderful novels, but he can't read the heart of an ordinary girl " She heard her husband's voice outside the box. " Off. old boy ?"' said Johnny—he had forgotten ilie narre—"well, good night Awfully glad to have met you—really goin'?"

" Good night," said Mrs. Gray. '■ Remember that our little talk about your brother was in strict confidence."

"I'll remember," i:aid .Mr Bond, with a grip of the hand. "Awfully pleasant feller!" exclaim*d Johnny. a.-» h>- disappeared. •Verv!" said Mrs. Grav.

The following afternoon Feona Dale went to see her friend. Slk* looked radiant. Mrs. Gray pnt her arms round her waisr and kissed her.

"He came (his morning!" said Feona. Oh. Millie. I'm going to many " " The famotvi Mr Bond !" concluded Mrs •Gray." " H.-'s perf-e'.ly charming—if yi.n like him! We ntH him at the Gaiety last night."

""I>h. Midi-!" iti.d Telia again. '"He told rue all al>M! f it ! Mow toidd you evt r nij,ti-.kf hirn for hi-* litother?" Little Mrs. Gray laugh.-d and kis-ed h-r frier.d again. " I didn't, mv de;;i !" >he >:« id.