Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
cafyrisL., qoz, by Th0mas X. MeKes.

Mrs Dallas-Brooke had secured several priceless
acouaintances by inviting them to meet new cave
or coming Caruso, or a second ThacKeray' OF
Shelley OF the future, or some accomplished lauy
who had danced acted or painted for Their Males-
Ties But il Mrs. Dallas-Brooke was adroit, she
was also generous in her heart, she found artsuc
creatures interesting, and she rescued number
yearly from landladies, dressmakers and suicide.
There was, among her favorites a young man
named Rendel Paget On certain evening In June
he brought to one of Mrs Dallas-Brookes parties
n youth and the youths sister. The youth could
initiate CoQuelin, Duse and Sarah Bernhardt; the
sis+ar nlayed Henselt with very little technique
as It is now understood, but with peculiar srace
She was thin, nineteen, dark-eyed and pale
When Paget, the youth (who was called Cecil
Monmouth) and the sister (who was called WV
,an, drove I'D In their four-wheeler to Portcheser
Gate many guests had already arrived In the
mornfhg-room, which had been reserved for the
ladies' cloak-room, five or six women were alter
natey staring with malevolence at each other, and
making unconsciousy strange grimaces at them
selves in the looking-gass.
vivien noticed that each person, as she gazed at
her.refection knitted her brows or screwed up her
lius or half shut her eyes Not one of them spoke,
and thsre seemed no kind of acquaintanceship
possible between them; yet, as they passed out on
their way to the staircase, they all surveyed Vvien
as though she were an intruder and their common
enemy
The girl, who had never before been in house
where she was utterly unknown to It's hostess and
her circle, felt suddenly despondent She wished
she had come, and she had the mertifytng sense
Of being already, at her first appearance in what
she took for society, failure. She could never
be able to bear the GOODNESS, the unfriendy, sus-
pcious criticiztng glanees Sinking into chair
she wondered how she could away.
The sound Of her brothers voice gave her little
confidence but although she stood up at his CALL
It was tha magic of Paget's flashing eyes which en-
couraged her to cross the hall and mount the stair
case.
Otherwise she must have fed out into the street
away from the women with bare necks and arms,
the copper lamps shaded in amethyst silk and the
overpowering scent of powder, perfumes and burn
ing pastilles.
The butler announced,
"Mr. Rendel Paget
''Mr. and Miss Monmouth"
Viyien terrified almost to unconscousness,
found herself shaking hands with fresh-looking
woman about forty-hve, who, as she smiled and
showed her fine teeth, seemed to be saying to each
fresh arrival:
my husband is not very we'll The doctor
would not allow him to come down. 1t is happily
nothing serious although 1t is the greatest bore;
So please, enjoy yourselves or he will blame me
for being bad hostess"
She looked at vivien, who felt that she was being
admired Her lost self seemed to rush back into
her own possession; the color returned to her
cheeks and lips; she held up her head and entered
the crowded room with all the assurance OF child
who has money in her pocket, entering toy-shop
The floors were polished and one had to walk care
fully for fear Of slipping; there were on the walls
fine pictures. illuminated from beneath by strong
electric lights; at least seventy people were stand
ing about the in groups or sitting side by side
on chairs and sofas and settees.
1t was small important party, especially invited
to hear distinguished Hungarian composer play
his own new sonata. Paget pointed out the richest
stock brokers, the bankers, many well-known en-
gneers, few ladies of title, two peers who were
interested in commercial undertakings, several
eminent members of the legal profession and some
retired officials of minor rank.
BY this time the Hungarian composer had taken
his place at the piano. Audible comments were
passed on his appearance, which found at once
Disappointing. theatrical dowdy and fascinating
Silence maintained while he played and at the
end of each movement the applause general If
languid When the sonata was finished, Paget, In
obedience to a rapid signal from Mrs. Brooke
walked toward the platform, and the guests, at the
sight OF the handsome young man, kept their seats
murmur went round the assembly: "Rendel
Paget! One can always hear what he says"
He enchanted the company by his delivery Of
Il did but sec her passing by, Yet will love her
till die" and he gave them encore, Cupid
and my Campaspe played At cards for kisses; Gu
pid paid" 1t was now viviens turn Mrs
Dallas herself led the girl to the piano and
took seat close beside the instrument Once at the
keyboard Vivien could forget the crowd. She
played as Paget sang-with simplicity which
created excitement because it was uncommon.
$50 restfuli"
$50 soothingl"