Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-06-25
CHAPTER w.
A Haphazard Meeting.

HaphaZard Meeting
was 10 make my bow 10 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 llmellght
while I was to be tucked away on a
back line OF the chorus to find out
Who's Who In Society and Why. It
was strenuous time for me, those
days preceding the reception al
ways went home so tired that 10 said
l talked in my sleep about color"
and texture" and jumped sometimes
as II 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, a 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-
Tor, but I was prepared TO deny that
he was old. True there was a 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 imRediately as If 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 distingue-it
you say such thing about woman
with broad shoulders and thin lips
giving one the impression that she
had Just materialized from a picture
in a fashion book. She slipped into
everyday conversation with me with
out any reference as to who l was
or what | was. 1t gave me clear
understanding of my position. | was
one of them; there was to be nc
doubt of me. / had made good until
/ proved otherwise. They had stuck
me up on the top rung Of the ladder
and all had to do was to stay there
My meeting with Hap took place
on a crowded street at a time when
was more or less disheveled from q
whole mornings seance in a millin
ers shop. We were about to rush
back to the hotel and grab luncheon
--Jo saw me only at breakfast and
when was asleep-for we had an en-
gagement with the dressmaker al
two, when just as we reached the
curb a young man driving long, low
raklsh, battleship-gray car, drew VI
behind the limousine and waved to us
Just want to say can't stop fol
luncheon, mother" he called. Got {
deal on with Peabody and haven
time"
He was about to change gear pre-
paratory to leaving when he begar
to stare at me and l knew he was
looking at the wisps of hair tha
dangled about my ears. His mother
signaled to him.
You must not neglect your meals
for any DEAL" she said firmly. "Yol
must take time-this is Miss Goldman
think of your health. Let Peabod,
wait. Besides, luncheon is ready any
how. We're in a hurry, too. or
dered 1t by telephone"
He acknowledged me and l bowet
to him while she was still talking
and we both smiled. 1t was funny
The next minute was in the limous
inc.
ooh, all right" he agreed cheer
fully, and waited for us to start
don't know what he thought as h
followed; don't know If he knew
who | was. | leaned back in tn
MISUNDERSTANDING of only one thin
that l was missing the best clu
match at tennis in years, thing l.
have given my head to see.
We were caught in a jam out q
which the gray car wriggled ahead Q
us, so that when we reached tn
Somerset we found it drawing up t
the curb and most impatient youn
man pacing up and down the hallwa
of the suite.
1--WE just got to see Peabody" h
said, and be at the ball game g
three"
knew my job when l saw it con
ing straight toward me.
Who's going to pitch?" l asked.
It was the only thing l could thin
Of in a hurry. 1t was electrical! H
stopped short in his wild stridD
stared at me an instant, and this tim
he did not look at the wisps of hal
dangling about my ears; then he PIT
out his hand, grabbed mine and puml
ed 1t up and down enthusiastically.
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