The indicator., 1897-03-20

bassador and the first assistant secre-
ary of state, Mr.. Rockhill.
The Bachelors Cotillion is the most
exclusive OF the social organizations
Of the capital. A committee OF auto
ratio powers and discriminative judg-
ment makes up the list of those per-
mitted to share in the functions. lhls
list excludes all who can not pass the
rigid scrutiny of the committee.
lew weeks ago the notices for the com
ing event OF the club were sent
round. An attache of the French EN-
bassy. who was included in the list,
called at the Metropolitan Club, the
headquarters of the Bachelors Cotil-
lion, to inform the committee that by
some oversight the ambassadors no
tice had not reached him. He learned
that there had been no mistake, and
that NJ. Patenotre had been omitted
from the list because of his course to-
ward the assistant secretary OF state.
The members of the committee were
friends of Mr.. Rockhill, and they had
decided to show their friendship in
this remarkable manner. The snub
is the sensation of the season. 1t is
the eliminating incident of a long
series. 1t has given diplomatic circles
something more serious than Cuba and
arbitration to talk about. Years ago
Mr.. Rockhill was secretary of the
American legation in China. At the
same time NJ. Petenotre was the
French minister at Pekin. Mrs Rock
hill is an active American woman
with considerable capacity for man
aging" She was the life of the for
eign colony at Pekin. She led in the
suggestion and execution of plans for
the coony's entertainment. She orig
mated and carried to success picnics
fetes and all manner of social fea-
lures. One time Mrs. Rockhill had
something in mind and sent word for
the French minister to come to the
house at 2 o'clock in the afternoon
and help her make the necessary ar
rangements. 1t was in the hot sea-
son. The minister was stopping at
suburban place, twelve miles out OF
the city, called THE Temples" He
rode into the city to keep the appoint
ment Mrs. Rockhill was taking sizes
ia. Perhaps her temper had been some
what affected by the heat When NJ.
Patenotrc presented himself he was
told that Mrs. Rockhill could not be
seen.
Go tell your mistress that I have
ridden twelve miles to keep the ap-
pointment she made. and would like
to see her." said the minister.
The Chinaman disappeared around a
corner of the court. The house was
built on the open plan of the coun-
try. NJ. Patenotre probably over
heard every word of the conversation.
Il can not see him." said the lady.
Tell him anything; tell him I'm dead.
The solemn-faced heather reappear-
ed at the entrance and announced with
mphass:
Misses cant slee you. She slay she
dead"
The minister and the Rockhills were
strangers from that day.
In the course of time NJ Patenotre
became ambassador to the United
States and found his aforetime Pekin
acquaintance holding the position of
chief clerk of the state department.
The feud slumbered until the night of
the dinner at Congressman Draper's,
/ 'ouple of seasons ago. When NJ. Pa
enotre arrived at the Drapers he dis
overed by the cards that he was cast
70 take Mrs, Rockhill in to dinner. He
vent at once to his hostess and said
Excuse me. 1 haven't the pleasure of
acquaintance with this lady. Can you
lOt assign me to some one else?'
oh" said Mrs. Draper, "allow me to
present you to Mrs. Rockhill"
The Frenchman bowed, and replied:
4 knew the lady some years ago, but