The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-22

out though" said Mrs Wftherbee. rath-
er uncertainty. Shed be mortaiy Of
Tended. Really. when I met her last she
seemed a little bit toned down-not quite
so disa greeable.N
IF you have her / suppose you'll have
to drag in your mothers cousin F'eiix?"
"OId Felix? Impossiblei Why. Bobby.
he grumbles at everything. and makes
such noises with-lis soup. 1t couldn't
give Cousin Felix any pleasure to dine
out anywhere"
HE must be asked for old times
sake And so must the two Liverton
girls as you politely call them. They're
on your side the house"
THE Liverton twinsi Poor old thingsl
I suppose we must" groaned Kitty
Then there's your friend Sam Blake
stOn: he's harmless If slightly idiotic
And your cousins, Doctor and Mrs.Slow-
more"
And Johnny Giles; he's mad about
genealogy, and is monologist to boot"
He'll talk everybody else down fiati"
forgetting the Crandells-mother, father,
son and daughter"
Great Scott, They'll about finish US"
exclaimed the master Of the house. de-
jectedly-
Never mind said Kitty. after de-
pressed silence. rising to the occasion
with her former saint~lilke mien. 1T IS
our duty. dearest-our plain duty at
Christmas tide. Let us make it our
pleasure, too"
Around the Witherbees' table on
Christmas EVENING" The large room, with
its crimson walls and white paneLng. is
hung with garlands of southern sniilax.
holly and mistletoe. A bright IRE Of
logs dances ir the low CRATE The feast
is spread with all the luxuries Of the sea-
son; nothing is neglected to contribute
to the enjoyment of the guests. An air
of constraint reigns over the sixteen
people, who talk in undertones.
Mrs Witherbee. in a new black satin
ri fDf
and wearing a treble row of pearls
around her pretty throat, 20 Cousin Fe-
Xix. on her right:
.YOu-er-Were saving YOU 20 some
times to the opera2"
mo. madam / said nothing OF the
sort. merely observed that in the old
Academy days when the boxes were
filled with really handsome, Well-bred
women, whose families one knew. it was
worth while to drop into the stalls"
But surely, the music at the Metro
..Musici One cant think of it for the
disgusting evidences of the worship of
wealth on every side Of him. I'll tell
you, ma am (gobble. gobble) this smart
set Of yours-huh, smart indeedt-is
just carrying this community to the
dCgsl Some day-and ! hope 7 may live
to see 1.-THE anarchists will rise up and
rout the lot of 'em (gobble, gobble)-
Such yulgarity OF parade ia dress and
jewelry and carriages among a gang Of
mushroom aristocratst despise 'em
L
ashamed to see your mothers child run
ming after 'em."
Mr.. witherbee. looking frankly
wretched. to his sister-in-law. upon his
right:
TRY that champagne, won't you?
You'll find it dry and sound
Robert. ] am surprised at you not
remembering that I never take any In
tOxicating beverage Wafer, plain
Croton water, is good enough for me.
And I remember when it used to be
served at your table with the Assistance
of cider for treat. Times have changed
since you were clerk on twenty-five
hundred a year In those days you and
Katherine would as soon have thought
of flying as inviting the ---s and the
~s, whom / saw by the paper dined
with you last week That was one Of
your smart dinners. This, 1 observe
takes in the frumps. as suppose you
call US between yourselves"
I'm sorry it's not to your liking,
Sophia. We have tried to do our best.
I'm sorry. too. there WIS a slight delay
in serving; but we had a little row in
our domestic STAFF last night. and
Little roW2 I should think sol ] saw
all about that in my morning paper.
The police called in. cook and butler
both drunk; a pretty state Of things in
your kitchen after servants ball. Really,
Robert. it makes me satisfied with my
humble surroundings to read what goes
On up stairs and down In the families
of your would-be high flyers"
One of the Liverton twins to Mr.. Sam
Blakeston:
.-You know they call Kitty Witherbee
a beauty. DO you think she is?"
Mr. Blakeston, looking aimlessly at
his hostess. after getting his rnonOcle to
stay in place:
Wen. yes rather; but don't mention
that I said So
Miss Liverton. bridling.
She's terribly gone on. and who won
ders- On the rush trying TO keep her
name before the public. That black