Aunt Janes Nieces in Society | Page 9

Von Taer's card filled her with curious wonder as to the errand that had
brought her.
The De Grafs lived en suite at the hotel, for Beth had determined to
surround her Sybaritic mother with all attainable luxury, since the child
frequently reproached herself with feeling a distinct repulsion for the
poor woman. So to-day Diana was ushered into a pretty parlor where
Beth stood calmly awaiting her.
The two regarded one another in silence a moment, Miss De Graf's
frank eyes covering the other with a comprehensive sweep while Miss
Von Taer's narrowed gaze, profoundly observant, studied the beautiful

girl before her with that impenetrable, half-hidden gleam that precluded
any solution.
"Miss Von Taer, I believe," said Beth, quietly glancing at the card she
held. "Will you be seated?"
Diana sank gracefully into a chair. The sinuous motion attracted Beth's
attention and gave her a slight shiver.
"I am so glad to meet you, my dear," began the visitor, in soft, purring
accents. "I have long promised myself the pleasure of a call, and in
spite of many procrastinations at last have accomplished my ambition."
Beth resented the affectation of this prelude, and slightly frowned.
Diana was watching; she always watched. "Why should you wish to
call upon me?" was the frank demand. "Do not think me rude, please;
but I am scarcely in a position to become a desirable acquaintance of
Miss Von Taer." The tone was a trifle bitter, and Diana noted it. A
subtile antagonism seemed springing up between them and the more
experienced girl scented in this danger to her plans. She must handle
this young lady more cautiously than she had Louise Merrick.
"Your position is unimpeachable, my dear," was the sweet-toned
response. "You are John Merrick's niece."
Beth was really angry now. She scowled, and it spoiled her beauty.
Diana took warning and began to think quickly.
"I referred to my social position, Miss Von Taer. Our family is honest
enough, thank God; but it has never been accepted in what is termed
select society."
Diana laughed; a quiet, rippling laugh as icy as a brook in November,
but as near gaiety as she could at the moment accomplish. When she
laughed this way her eyes nearly closed and became inscrutable. Beth
had a feeling of repulsion for her caller, but strove to shake it off. Miss
Von Taer was nothing to her; could be nothing to her.

"Your uncle is a very wealthy man," said Diana, with easy composure.
"He has made you an heiress, placing you in a class much sought after
in these mercenary days. But aside from that, my dear, your personal
accomplishments have not escaped notice, and gossip declares you to
be a very fascinating young woman, as well as beautiful and good. I do
not imagine society claims to be of divine origin, but were it so no one
is more qualified to grace it."
The blandishments of this speech had less effect upon Beth than the
evident desire to please. She began to feel she had been ungracious, and
straightway adopted a more cordial tone.
"I am sure you mean well, Miss Von Taer," she hastened to say, "and I
assure you I am not ungrateful. But it occurred to me we could have
nothing in common." "Oh, my dear! You wrong us both."
"Do you know my uncle?" enquired Beth.
"He is the friend of my father, Mr. Hedrik Von Taer. Our family owes
Mr. John Merrick much consideration. Therefore I decided to seek
pleasure in the acquaintance of his nieces."
The words and tone seemed alike candid. Beth began to relent. She sat
down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana.
"You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal inclination for
society, which is doubtless so large a part of your own amusement. It
seems to me artificial and insipid."
"Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have little
idea of the milk within," declared Diana, softly.
"True," answered Beth. "But I've cracked cocoanuts, and sometimes
found the milk sour and tainted."
"The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the various
grades of society. These are not all insipid and artificial, I assure you."

"They may be worse," remarked Beth. "I've heard strange tales of your
orgies." Diana was really amused. This girl was proving more
interesting than the first niece she had interviewed. Unaccustomed to
seeking acquaintances outside her own exclusive circle, and under such
circumstances, these meetings were to her in the nature of an adventure.
A creature of powerful likes and dislikes, she already hated Beth most
heartily; but for that very reason she insisted on cultivating her further
acquaintance.
"You must not judge society by the mad pranks of a few of