Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-23

the essentials of their surroundings had been scared into
their souls The Bent regime their religion, the
General its High Priest and their offices components
of ceremony that they observed with impressive
dignity and Sedate fervor.
AS rule the personality of the Generals guests did
nothing to detract from the impression of opulence
They were the heavy men of affairs the big of club
dom or business of religion, of politics. Camilla had
not been warned of what she must expect; but it
with feelings of trepldaton not far removed from
that she and Jeff got down from their taxi under the
glow of the porte cochere before the wide portal of the
great house Madson-ave. Her last admonition to
her husband in the cab had been, Jeff don't shuttle
your feet! And don't say 'Ma'am! And keep your
hands out of your pockets If you can't think of any
thing to say, don't say it,"
Wray only laughed. He was very much at his ease;
for he had convinced himself down that the doors
of the Bent establishment would not have swung so
wide had the General not found that Wrays holdings
and influence in the West matters that day
he would have to reckon with.
When they arrived they pleased to discover that
there We're to be young people among the guests well
as old. Three stout, ford men, members OF the drec
torae of the Amalgamated Reduction Company, whom
Jeff had met down town, with their wives and Mr. and
Mrs Worthngton Rumsen lent their share to the dig
nifty the General required; but there leaven of
younger set Gladys his daughter (Mrs Bent had died
many years before) Cortland his son. and Others
Most of the guests were already in the drawing
when the Wrays announced. And Camilla entered
little uncertainty her eyes sparkling, seeking her
hostess There subdued masculine of
approval, raising of lorgnons to aged feminine noses,
general movement of appreciation.
Camilla radiant. Cortland Bent forward
his eyes. She gowned in white and
ments. The senderness that SO many women ape was
hers without asking Her r1ddy hair at the last moment
had resisted the of the hair dresser and she
it as she had always done, in heavy coil like rope of
flame. If she had been pale she entered, the blood
now flowed quickly almost too quickly to be fashion
able suffusng her face and gently warming her spen
did throat and shoulders.
"Am later" she asked. @I'm so sorry! Will you
forgive me9'
"We're beautifully repaid put in General Bent gal
antly he forward. I'm you're quite
worth waiting for I've been telling New York for
must warn its women. How are you Wray? You
know Warrington Janney. Let me present you,
Wray-the Baroness Charny."
Jeff felt himself appraised civily.
YOU are the Mr.. Wray,' she asked him, "the rich
= Mr.. Wray?"
than a reference to his possessions
I'm Wray-from Colorado And you-you know
I've never seen real live Baroness before So don't
mind if look at you little. You see never have
anybody like you out our way
Il don't mind in the least" she said with a slight
accent. what did you think Baroness ought to look
a had kind of an idea that she was stoutish wore
crown and sat in big chair all day ordering people
around"
"Im afraid you read fairy stories. I don't
crown, and might order people all day; but nobody
would pay the least attention to me-"
"What pty" he said soberly.
His righteousness refreshing. "You know, Mr.
Wray, Baronesses aren't any important nowadays
than anybody else. The only Barons worth while in
the world are the Coal Barons the Wheat Barons the
Gold Barons, like you" and then, "Did you know that
you to take me in? Are you glad?"
"O course with vague attempt at gallantry. I'D
take you anywhere, and be proud to-"
"Then give your arm, she laughed.
They followed the others in to dinner.
W/RAY other neighbor was Mrs Rurnsen, his hosts
w sister. Camilla had related many tales of her
social prowess and she really the only person at
the table of whom left stood the least in awe. Mrs