Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-05

drily as she rose with stately dignity,
worthy a pioneer patron of Mascot Inn
But permit me to say, my son, that l
wash my hands of the whole affair. If
had been properly approached beforehand
l might have considered such a proposition
but her method of procedure is-why-it is
preposterous-ill-bred
Just wait minute, mother" replied the
man, breathing a trfle hard, but holding
himself well in hand Miss Bonham has
not asked your chaperonage. 1t was my
suggestion to you as my mother-and my
best friend. l do not think you realize how
much l sacrificed in coming to this dead
old hole merely to give you part of my
vacation. I've grown to hate the place
and l knew that with the Stuyvesants and
Copley Dodsons going abroad, it would be
more deadly than ever. l was honestly
glad to have Miss Bonham come. and 1
want to say right now that / shall do my
best to make her glad that she acted on
my suggestion Further. l do not believe
that a Coppinger. man or woman will ever
give occasion for gossip concerning their
family differences
He stepped forward and with accustomed
courtesy held open the door for his mother
to pass out. She walked out with head in
air but directly his door closed upon her
she turned and almost ran to her own room
vivid red spots falling in her cheeks and
unshed tears Frightening her eyes. What
ever her feelings. she dressed with unusual
care and appeared on the piazza half an
hour before dinner time, stately in black
and white silk and real lace. Her glance
fell and rested upon the wicker chair with
its pillOw-cover of convent embroidery Her
expression changed. The safety of mothers
lies in numbers-of> girls, particularly pretty
girls She had only the danger of pro-
pinquity to fight. And while THE Chair"
was vacant, there was hope. They had all
pictured the owner of that chair. dainty,
petite blonde, radiating femininity, or per-
haps the quiet, reposeful type, backed by
family and not too much wealth. The
N;z i; i ~,
cal emancipation through millions.
If the owner of The Chair" failed her,
she had other resources. Betty Folsom
might be inveigled from Newport for a
week or Blanche Shoreham might be Sc
cured for a fortnight after the tennis tour
ney was over. And in the meantime, Miss
Ronham should have every opportunity to
display her social gaucherie before an au-
dience whose criticisms Richard would
dread.
Mrs. Coppinger accepted her sons arm
for the trip to the dining room in spirit
OF protective patronage. At the door she
paused.
Henry" she said to the head waiter. II
would like you to make room for Miss Bon
ham and her brother at our table"
yes, ma am replied the servant, II
Will DO so tomorrow. Miss Bonham and
her brother are having dinner served In
their suite tonight"
The word suite" gave instant offense
to Mrs. Coppinger. Time was when a pri-
Mascot. and here was additional evidence
of Mr.. DUNES desire to cater to the yul-
carly rich.
Once more swathed in the spirit of gentle
patronage, Mrs. Coppinger extended a gra-
cious hand to Miss Bonham the next morn
ing on the piazza And Miss Bonham,
swathed in motor raiment of the latest cut
and color, declined the gracious invitation
to meet the other members of the piazza
brigade with thanks because she was SIM
ply wild to try out the new car which her
chauffeur was hating at the foot of the
porch steps. She hoped that soon as it
had been properly tested Mrs. Coppinger
would give its owner the pleasure of her
company on some of the fine drives for
which she had heard the Mascot hills were
famous. Then Mrs. Coppnger, with an
odd sense of impotency and failure. leaned
back in her chair to watch Miss Bonham
climb up behind the chauffeur, while Dick
and Billy Bonham sprang into the tonneau
and slammed its door.
And so began the discontinue of Mrs.