The Laclede blade., 1913-03-21
CHAPTER ~.
A Hanhazard Meetinq.


was to make my bow to society
the following week, the occasion be-
ing that wonderful reception at which
Laura Hazard was to be the bright
particular star. She was to hold the
center of the stage in the limelight
while l was to be tucked away on
back line of the chorus to find out
Who's Who in Society and Why. 1t
was strenuous time for me, those
days preceding the reception. l al
ways went home so tired that 10 said
I talked in my sleep about color"
and texture" and jumped sometimes
as If the dressmaker had stuck me
with a.pin. wasn't to become an &C
tual member of the family until they
moved back home from the hotel.
Besides the mother, son and daugh-
ter, there was one other member OF
the family, John Crowninshield, Mrs.
Hazards brother, lawyer whom the
society reporters had let alone more
than ten years ago He had insisted
upon becoming a confirmed old bach
elor, and had dropped out of sight So
cially. He might have been a bache-
Ior, but l was prepared to deny that
he was old. True, there was bit OF
silver at his temples, but it merely
made him look distinguished and har-
monized beautifully with his eyes;
gray and clear that looked right
through you like Mr.. Partridge's, only
more so. He had a handclasp that
made you feel Immediately as II he
were your long-lost brother, and you'd
swear by him to your very last breath.
Laura Hazard was tall, very blond,
very pretty, altogether distinguish
you say such thing about woman
with broad shoulders and thin lips,
giving one the impression that she
had just materialized from picture
in a fashion book. She slipped into
everyday conversation with me with
out any reference as to who I was
or what | was. 1t gave me a clear
understanding of my position. was
one Of them; there was to be no
doubt of me. l had made good until
proved otherwise They had stuck
me up on the top rung of the ladder,
and all I had to do was to stay there.
My meeting with Hap took place
on a crowded street at a time when
I was more or less disheveled from
whole mornings seance in a mtllin-
er's shop. We we're about to rush
back to the hotel and grab luncheon
-Jo saw me only at breakfast and
when l was asleep-for we had an en-
gagement with the dressmaker at
two, when just as we reached the
curb a young man driving long, low,
rakish, battleship-gray car, drew up
behind the limousine and waved to us.
Just want to say l can't stop for
luncheon, mother" he called. Got a
deal on with Peabody and haven't
time"
He was about to change gear pre-
paratory to leaving when he began
to stare at me and / knew he was
looking at the wisps of hair that
dangled about my ears. His mother
signaled to him.
"You must not neglect your meals
for any DEAL" she said firmly. You
must take time-this is Miss Goldman
think of your health. Let Peabody
wait. Besides, luncheon is ready any
how. We're in hurry. too. or
dered It by telephone"
He acknowledged me and bowed
to him while she was still talking.
and we both smiled. 1t was funny.
The next minute l was In the limous-
ine.
-Oh, all right he agreed cheer
fully, and waited for us to start.
don't know what he thought as he
followed; / don't know II be knew
who was. I leaned back in the
umousine-thinking Of only one thing
that I was missing the best club
match at tennis In years, a thing I'd
have given my head 70 see.
We we're caught IN a Jam ont Of
which the gray car Wriggled ahead of
us, 90 that uhen we reached The
somerset We found 4 drawing np 10
fho curb ara 4 most impafient young