Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-06-26
STRAWS AND THE WIND.

70Is attentions had been marked
I'LL from the very first; in fact, sew
S& eral persons had spoken to
Myra about it-had told her he was a
fortune hunter and what not. But Of
course she didn't listen. What girl
would when the man had been at her
feet for two months?
No one could deny that, having come
to Brightside a perfect stranger, he
had worked his way with no difficulty
whatever into its charmed circle"
and moreover there was not a member
Of that circle but would declare Pad
dy" Leicester's inimitable jokes and
impromptu songs Irresistible.
He had large dreamy eyes which.
combined with IA fluent tongue, and a
hand squeeze or two, had convinced,
individually and separately, every girl
in the little Hotel Lexington that she
was the one on whom his future hap
piness rested.
This was the state of affairs in the
two or three weeks before Myra Lewis
ton arrived. He had reached the zenith
Of his popularity, having sung and
jOked himself into the good grace Of
Mrs. Julie de Peyster, at her sailing
party, and as her protege his social
success was secured.
One morning Myras trunks. maid
and Boston terrier arrived. With this
fOrerunner it was not surprising that
by 5 o'clock the guests of the lazy lit
tie hotel were gathered in self con-
sciOus groups, near the front stairway,
awaiting her.
most conspicuous in line. and foremost
Of these was Paddy Leicester-looking
particularly smart in his riding
breaches.
A few married men-shameful to re-
late-lOitered near. Ostentatiously en-
gagged however, in careful study Of
time tables or the evening paper--all
except Bob Pinnell, whose impatience
was apparent; but then it was a no.
tOriOus fact that he and his wife were
on the verge of domestic sunder-
ing" as Paddy facetiously termed
their unhappy state, meanwhile giving
his own admirable views on connubial
felicity, mutual trust being the chief
essential.
Several acknowledged bellies" as
the Columns termed them, who had
hopes to end their uncertainty this
very season and return to town with
visions of trOusseaus. fine laces, dainty
ribbons, to be completed. saw their
glories snatched ruthlessly aside, their
frills and fripperies dissolve into thin
air, with the approach of this heiress.
A few uninterested danes and fast
fading matrOns In the background
were discussing Mrs. Pinnelrs total
lack Of self-respect. and her audacity
in having gone up the beach that very
afternoon with the Sterling boy, whom,
Of course, she intended to lead on be-
cause he had money; 1t was such pity,
for his mother was a sweet woman
and so On.
Incidentally Mrs. Mayo-Robins men
toned the advent of Miss Lewiston,
whereupon the rest declared it was ap-
palling the fuss people did make over
any one whose eXchequer reached linn
its little out of the ordinary. No
doubt this Miss Lewiston was a snob,
and they did hate to see a person Of
that sort catered to.
At this moment there was rustic
near the stairway. The danes and ma
irons We're the first to hastily brush
aside offending obstacles and peer with
lorgnettes and far seeing eyes at the
usurper.
The girl approached the desk. appar-
emily unconscious Of the disturbance
she was creating, and. followed by her
mother-a rather short. refined looking
woman-registered in fashionably bold
chirography. Myra Threysh Lewiston.
> After the elevator had borne her up
, to the suite especially done up for her
land her mother, leaving naught behind
but the. delicate scent Of violets and the
impression of a graceful. slender figure
in stunningly becoming travelling cos
tune, hush seemed to fall on the lit
tie group, for she was. Enthusiastically, a
beauty.
This was what they had all been
standing there waiting for-just a
glimpse Of this girl. They all felt fool
ish now. and Mrs. Mayo-Robins having
noted the distinguished bearing, and
being trifle piQued that even she had
not held the gaze. even for a second. Of
this ''nOuveaux richie adventures" de-
clared declsively that she was terribly
'appOinted-she had expected "a far
Hrepossessing woman"
as the beginning, but when
saw their latest acquisi-
'cester, go down before
Dung woman" their
led. Paddy. their