The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-10-12
MRS. ARLINGTON.
BY VIRGINIA X. COKE.

First came Mr.. and Mrs. Airing
ton with their friend Clairmont,
then followed procession made
of a maid, two men servants,
pair of French poodles, and an un-
der groom leading magnificent St
Bernard whose size made children
scatter and whose beauty made men
and women stare in admiration. VI
course, canes, wraps, satchefs and big.
half-faded bouquet accompanied this
melange, and it was quite little time
before the people were escorted TO
their rooms and the servants and ami
mails were consigned to their proper
quarters.
s.Who are they, wonder?" ran like a
ripple from one mouth to the other as
people paused in the promenade to
stare and inspect the newcomers.
Remaining on the hotel piazza after
luncheon to watch the boat come in
was one of the innocent pastimes at
Beachport; criticising and condemn
ing the passengers it brought was one
of the favorite amusemeuts. We had
sit in Judgment so many weeks our
wits were sharpened, and we had come
to be quite knowing, divining at once
how the arrivals should be classed and
seldom erring in our disposition OF
them. Stray couples were beneath
our notice; people with a baby and
one nurse sent our noses heavenward;
children who dressed well and were
followed by a couple of maids were
tolerated; family who brought their
horses and Q retinue of servants re-
ceived our undivided attention, and
there was nothing in their lives which
we could not resurrect and discuss in
all it's details. We also made it our
business to keep an eye upon the fiirta-
tious element of Beachport and see
that it behaved well; and when Mrs.
Horton dubbed our select coterie a
scandal shamble" we exhumed from
its grave an old tale about her husband
that the family have been trying to
keep buried for twenty years.
Our interest in the strangers was in
tensified-sent to fever heat-when
the rest of their belongings were led
up from the boat Four driving horses,
pair of saddle horses, victoria, a
gladstone, dogcart and drag.
"They have registered Mr.. and Mrs
Egbert Arlington, of Boston, and Mr..
j. C. Clairmont, of New York." an
nounced Mrs. Stanley, who was colos-
sal, sharp-nosed, specialized, and who
kept as close a guard ON the hotel reg
lister as though she had been st. Peter
inspecting applicants for Heaven.
.n~6 Nd ursd
the tall blond man say that they
wanted a table to themselves in the
dining-room."
Arlington? That is good name"
chimed in Mrs. Latimer, who was fat,
hypercritical and from Boston. We
always accepted her opinions and as
sertions because she resided on Common.
wealth avenue and had the position of
each clique arranged like the alphabet
in her mind. We learned afterwards
that she was on the outskirts of society
and spent her life trying to cross the
line. II wonder If they belong to the
Arlingtons?"
'.Oh! no doubt of it," assumed Mrs.
Burke, who either crowned or deposed
every newcomer. "They must be good
people, they look so noblesse."
Il think / shall call" announced
Miss Philips; ''all the Arlingtons at.
tend my uncle's church, and he would
wish me to pay them some attention
Miss Philips uncle was rector of the
most aristocratic church in Boston, and
his flock composed the creme de la creme
of society; but his niece's visits to ''the
hub were SO few that she knew these
people more by reputation than other
wise.
"Nice-loolsing man, that blond,
commented Mrs. Floyd Brown, looking
up from her vestment embroidery. Sht
had two manageable daughters anC
kept sharp eye upon the new men
81 suppose he is Mr.. Clairmont. Is h
married, do you know
BY noon the next day we were bnb
bling with enthusiasm and admiratio
and felt so amicably inclined toward
Mrs. Arlington we all agreed to b,
presented and take her into oul
charmed set. We had seen them driv
ing in gorgeous style down the prin
cipal avenue, with Clairmont handling
the reins and Mrs. Arlington on tn,
box seat beside him; we had seen then
come in to dinner in the most faultles
of evening toilets and seat them
selves at table that was brillian
with fragrant blossoms, and held tn
daintiest of viands, while the hea,
waiter and his assistants bent in Low
obeisance such as the Bcachport wait
ers never INDUCED in unless there wa
plenty of money to induce those bows
We had watched them promenadinj
the piazza when the band played
looking as unconscious of the presenc
of others rs though they were the onl
people on earth; and-joy of joys.-
we had seen them snub the dude Of tn
place when some one presented him
and Mrs Arlington colby but politel
turn away from the Smoclxly famil
when they attempted, on the strengt