"Would you still go if you could? I can get you in. I am a personal friend of hers," said Miss ----. "Thank you, I shall be very glad to have you make the necessary arrangements," I replied, upon which she went to her telephone, took down the receiver, and held the following conversation: "Hello! is that you, H----? Good morning...." "Quite well, thank you. How are you?"... "I called you up to tell you of a lady who is calling on me, and who would like very much to meet you. We all call her 'Mother' Roberts." * * * * * "No, she isn't a crank."... "Now, look here, H----, you'll have to see her. You ought to know better than refuse me." * * * * * "Well, when will you be at home? At five o'clock? Wait a minute." Putting her hand over the mouthpiece and turning to me, she asked: "Can you call at five this evening?" I could; so she made arrangements, hung up the receiver, and then wrote a note of introduction, wording it thus: Dear H---- This will introduce my friend, Mother Roberts. She is all O. K. Hoping you will have a pleasant time together, Yours as ever, ---- ---- This I presented with my card at Miss Loraine's door at exactly five o'clock. A Japanese page dressed in uniform ushered me into a conventional but well-furnished reception-room. There sat a young woman in a handsome silk negligee, who invited me to be seated, remarking that Miss Loraine was out, but would soon return, and that she was to entertain me in the interval. In a few minutes there came up the steps and then entered the room three splendid-looking young women, richly attired. The one in black silk, Miss Loraine, received me with all the manners of a lady of birth and good breeding, and soon asked me if I would come with her to her private quarters, so that we could converse undisturbed. I followed her up-stairs into a Dresden-draped bedroom, where ensued the following conversation: "Mrs. Roberts, I feel I owe you an apology for not sooner receiving you. To be candid with you, my door is closed to all who have not made previous engagements; then, too, I shrink from the embarrassment of meeting any ladies from the better walks of life," etc. Whilst endeavoring to reassure her, I happened to look at a silver-framed photograph of a handsome, white-haired old gentleman. Quickly remarking this, she reverently handed it to me, saying: "I notice you are attracted to this. Would you think there was anything out of the common in any of these features?" Upon my replying in the negative, she added: "This is the photograph of my dearly loved father. He is stone blind." I expressed my astonishment, for there was no indication in the picture. After a pause she said, "Mrs. Roberts, will you please do me a favor?" "If it lies in my power," I replied. "It does," was her rejoinder. "Will you honor me by dining with me this evening, half an hour hence?"