Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-01-26
Gao THE white-gloved ebony

L
another of Stark's teas. Stark
was the caterer. His punchbowl, his
walters, his salted almonds, and his
bill went from house to house during
the season. The man at the door wish
ed Stark would get new punchbowl.
If 1t were not for the different faces
that appeared behind 1t at every house
life to him would be one long, unend
Ing party. From his post he could see
the table In the dining-room, and he
knew from the height of the candles
that 1t was nearly 6. The men would
be coming soon.
Matronly women in long fur wraps
were waiting for their carriages, and
girls IN picture hats and trailing silks
slipped through the throng into the
drawing-room. A sweet-faced young
girl in white chiffon, with her arms
full of pink roses, stood before a man.
tel banked with flowers, at the left of
stately woman in lavender. 1t was
the girls first bow to society, and the
woman by her side was still young
enough to feel old when men stopped
to. make pretty speeches to her daugh-
ter. Mrs. Howe felt that having a de-
butante daughter was almost as bad as
finding the first white hairs. The men
were arriving now; the elder ones
alone-the young fellows from the uni
versity re-enforced by one or two COM
panions. Near the door was a great,
broad-shouldered athlete, supported by
little blonde man with a confident
air.
The big fellow kept saying: "Now,
King, don't bolt and leave me alone.
I'm getting more hands and feet every
minute. I'll soon be like that chap
we used to read about in Latin.
Bri- something or other. Now you
speak to Mrs. Howe first, won't you?
This sort of thing isn't in my line"
well, here goes. Be careful. Don't
kick that jardiniere, If 1t does happen
to be in your line" said King.
The girl had noticed the two. She
smiled reassuringly at the big fellow.
Her mind went back to the day, a week
before, when she had seen him last.
He wasn't in black broadcloth then.
Instead, his hair hung in long black
strings over his eyes; there was a red
streak across one cheek. She had seen
him running over q field marked with
white lines, while yelling mob Of
men in canvas jackets tried to stop him.
Then, after the game was over, men
In silk hats and men in sweaters had
lifted him high on their shoulders, and
the whole air rang with cheers for his
college.
Now he was bowling solemnly before
Mrs. Howe. The next minute he for
got his hundred hands, and remem-
bered only the one that held a little
white gloved palm in it's strong clasp.
Miss Dolly, Bob washed his face in
honor of the event. Had his hair cut
too" King explained. Then he added:
swell, take care of pourself, old man."
and hurried across the room to speak
to girl he knew.
Bob laughed uncomfortably and
twisted his neck about as If he were
unacquainted with his collar. Dolly,
my dear child" said Mrs. Howe, "you
must be tired standing here so long.
Mr.. Fields. won't you take her out to
the dining-room and get her a cup of
coffee or somethingp
Bob thanked her with a rapturous
look, and the two disappeared on their
way to the dining-room. There are one
end of the table was limp-looking
girl with pale yellow hair and loose
gloves on her thin arms. In front of
her were large samover and an array
OF cups. She had been pouring choco-
late and tea for the last ten years, and
was growing old in the service. The
silver candelabra at either end of the
table proudly held up the half-burned
pink candles with pink shades, and the
cut-glass dishes of pink bonbons spar
kled In their light. The walters hur
ried here and there, bringing in plates
of salad and ices. Pretty girls in
dainty dresses served the guests stand
Ing about the room. When Dolly and
Bob came In girl in much-beruffled
pink silk rushed to them with a smile
that showed all her dimples.
"Oh, Dolly, you're simply perfect. l
wanted to talk to you when l came in,
but there were so many people. My
dear, your dress is a dream! And
those roses! was awfully late. 1
came right out here. l hope I've done
some good. Why, Mr.. Fields. I'm SO
glad you could come" she ratified on.
"How is the sprained knee? We were
all so proud Of you last Thursday.
Dolly, what do you suppose l heard