Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-28
BEACH BEAUTY WINS
OVER SOCIAL LEADER
LEADS GRAND BALL OF VENICE
COUNTRY CLUB
Santa Monica Society Puzzled by Incl
dent Which Occurred During Re-
ception Given in Honor of
Officers of Fleet
Special. to The Herald.

Special. to The Herald.
VENICE, April 27.-All Santa Mon
lea bay society is touched by a gos-
sipy curiosity as to why one proml-
nent society woman was substituted
for another in the leadership of the
grand ball given at the Venice dane
ing pavilion by the Country club In
honor of the officers Of the fleet.
1t is all good -humored and nobody
will for a moment admit that any,
bodys feelings have been hurt. but
nevertheless the official program was
all upset and Mrs. Abbot Kinney
whose name appeared in the most
prominent place, was cbl1ged TO re-
linquish the leadership, which was
taken, if not usurped, by Mrs. Clar-
ence II. Rundel
Mrs Kinney fell back to a secondary
place without a murmur and with a
display of good sense which all her
friends regard as most commendable
But there are heartburnings just the
same. Just how Mrs. Rundel did it
is a question the society folk are slyly
asking. But Mrs. Rundel carried her
point with a dash and seeming an
concern that won the admiration of
those even who now talk rather criti-
cally of the lady's act.
AS the program was made up Mrs
Kinney's name appeared first in the
list of patronesses, Mrs. T. Fl. Dud-
leys next and Mrs. Rundefs third. 1t
was also planned that Capt. Giles B.
Harber of the u. S. S. Maine should
lead the grand march with Mrs. Kin
ney. In the order of precedence i'm
mediately following Mrs. Rundeis
name did not appear at all. So sure
was the committee that this arrange
ment would be carried out that the list
was given out in advance for publi-
cation, and it so appeared in the news
papers.
It was with more than mild surprise
that society beheld the grand march
led by Capt. Harber and Mrs. Rundel
in place of Mrs. Kinney. In the last
analysis the gallant captain had, of
course, the right to choose his own
partner, and this right he certainly
exercised, official programs to the
contrary Notwithstanding. Now every
one wants to know, who is Mrs. Run
del?
She is a very delightful person, liv-
ing modestly in a rented cottage. Mr..
Rundel is not known to local society,
nor is that necessary. Mrs. Rundel
is supposed to be not over 80 years
of age. although Speculation of this
kind is deemed to be perilous. She
Is a vivacious young woman and also
so fascinating in her would probably
be regarded as inharmonious in an
older matron, like Mrs. Kinney.
Mrs Rundel, no doubt without the
least design, made herself agreeable,
If not captivating, to the officers who
met her during the week on the ships
and at the Country club. Capt. Har-
Der is pardoned by all the club Of
ficials for taking Mrs. Ruudel as his
partner. AT the same time Mrs. Kin.
ney is praised on all sides for the
consummate grace with which she ac-
cepted what must have been to her an
unfortunate situation. The captain
did not knoW what mischief he was
doing the official program and the Of
ficials themselves have experienced a
catch in the breath every time they
have since thought of that program
which they so automatically and care
fully prepared.