Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-02-16
[cUNTINUED.]

she was perfectly ruthless about the
names she would scratch off the lists
her secretary was continually making
out and revising for her.
I heard her say that she wouldn't
have dreamed Of asking the Pitchleys
If they hadn't got hold Of" Mohnns-
leigh, and that Cora Pitchiey. what
ever else she might be. was the clev-
crest woman In Newport to have
scooped in all the honOrs. Though to
this day I can't see exactly what she
meant. for she never would explain.
Anyhow. whatever the supcrlatively
clever thing was Mrs. Pitchley had
done, there was no longer question
of her being kept out from the pink
ball or anything else. People were
charming to her. and we met Mrs. Van
der Windt herself at the chateau ut
luncheon party with vaudeville enter.
tainment afterward and also at n din
ner Mrs. Van der Windt seemed to
like my cousin. Mohunsleigh. very
much. too. and gave moonlight mo-
tor car picnic especially for him. with
only a few people asked besides our
selves and the Pitchleys and Tom
DOremus.
Mohunsleigh had not expected to stay
more than few days. but when he
found that the friend he wanted to
visit in California was detained In
New York on business and Mrs. Pitch
ley and everybody urged him very
much to stop, he decided that he
would. I didn't suppose that Mohuns-
leigh would care for frivolities after all
the years he has spent tramping about
in strange countries, killing things. but
he appeared to be perfectly happy and
nothing bored him so long as the Pitch
leys were there.
When Mrs. Ess Kay was making out
the list Of invitations for the great
blowout, as Potter called 1t, Mohuns-
leigh happened to stroll over to the
MoOrings alone. He came to tell US
that he had made up his mind to stay.
and why.
"You see," he exclaimed, Il hadn't
an invitation for any special time from
Marlborough. 1t was sort Of standing
thing. given when we met in Damas-
Gus last winter. | was to come when
l could. and be always welcome-that
sort of thing don't you know. cabled
the day sailed, and didn't get any
answer, but l hadn't been in New
York two hours when I'm blessed II
the beggar didn't walk in on me at the
Waldorf. Jolly glad to see me and all
that, but had to hang on in New York
for bit on some business or other.
Now he thinks he can't get on for a
fortnight or so, and as what he's got
on isn't my sort Of racket, l might as
will be here as anywhere else. perhaps
little better"
"What Marlborough Is your friendT
inquired Mrs. Ess Kay, with interest.
''The new San Francisco millionaire"
Don't know how new he Is" said
Mohunsleigh, "or even whether he's
millionaire, for it's the sort Of thing
one doesn't ask chap. But II he isn't
q millionaire, he can spend money like
one, for I've seen him do 1t. A deuce
Of a good fellow he is; don't know a
better anywhere"
"Its Jameson B. Marlborough, isn't
it," asked Sally, and was quite sur
prised to hear her ask the question, for
she never seems to take any interest In
q man Just because he is millionaire,
as SO many of the other people meet
do.
"Yes; those are his initials" said
Mohunsleigh, looking bored.
"Then 1t Is the millionaire, Rather
he," went on Sally, quite eagerly.
@Don't you think, as he's said to be
such an interesting, original sort Of
person and such friend Of Lord
Mohunsleigh's besides. that 1t would be
nice if you gave Lord Mohunsleigh a
card to send him for your party on
the 22d?"
"Why. yes, that's very good idea
of yours, Sally" exclaimed Mrs. Ess
Kay. "I shall be delighted. I'll give
you the card now. Lord Mohunsleigh.
II you don't mind"
Lord Mohunseigh said that lie would
Oe very pleased. but he couldn't tell
Mt all whether his friend went in for
that sort of thing-had an idea he
didn't and rather fought shy of So
ciety shows, though. Of course. Har-
borough was q gentleman and all that.
anyhow, you send him the card and
write him line saying we should like
to meet him." persisted Mrs. Ess Kay.
Accordingly. MOhunsleigh slipped the
card In Its crested envelope into his
pocket, aud We heard nothing more OF
It for awhile. Then, when l at least
had forgotten the conversation In the
!, wild rush for pleasure in which we
lived, lie said one day to Mrs. Ess Kay
and Sally t;iat his friend would be SO
much obliged IL the invitation might be
kept open. Marlborough couldn't be
sure until the last moment whether he
could come or not, but would be de.
lighted to do so If he might be allowed
!. to decide ut the last moment.
Il All Newport was soon talking about
Mrs. Ess kay's mysterious fancy dress
party, which wasn't exactly ball, but
was-nobOdy knew what. People Won
dered about the maze and Aladdins
cave. and those who were asked were
cure they would be something to be
remembered and talked OF through
coming seasons. while those who were
not were equally certain that the
great mysteries would turn out to be
STUPID and childish. The pink ball,
which had been the one absorbing top
, ic of conversation till Mrs. Ess kay's
invitations appeared. became a matter
of secondary interest, and Mrs. Ess
Kay and Mrs. Pitchley both began
thus early to be avenged.
Potter surprised me one morning
with the design Of fancy dress
which he announced that he'd been In
spired In the night to sketch for my
, benefit. According to him, ! was to
, represent the frost sprite In glitterinG
, white garments. with long veil like
a trail Of sparkling mist. | thought II
rather suggestive Of diamond busted
Christmas card, but Mrs. Ess Kay
was so charmed with the idea that she
begged me to have 1t. Potter will be
I. broken hearted II you don't, and be
sides 1t will cost you next to nothing.
. cha cold