New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-21

Ming she had been slowly paving her way. She had
discovered an untrodden path and made considerable
progress.
Between human beings, in their mutual aches and
disorders real imaginary there is the closest bond
The freemasonry of pain is Onnipoent. We are always
more interested in ailments, and next to these
we are interested in those of other persons similarly
afflicted What a boon is a sympathetic listener amid
the dull surroundings of a sanatorium or private hos
pital! Through nvadism then, had Mrs. Shark begun
realize her social aspirations She had now acquired
a working capital of friends and acquaintance Flora
McAIaSters would go the list and help her weed
them out, and then-a dash for the Pole.
| was right. That winter Mrs. Shark attained the
first two metropolitan steps to general recognition-
the Social Register and subscription to BagbyS Mus-
cal Mornings Later her name cropped out as patron
of a number OF fashionable charity entertainments,
and heard inadvertently that she had subscribed lib
orally to many of these. She now at the Plaza
Flora McNIasters gave a luncheon for her there
doubt financiered by her client, which attended
by some excellent people. 1t was the usual Pilgrims
Progress. | could not have conducted the campaign
better saw splendid opportunities in it, and could
scarcely hold my hands off But there is honor in the
traditions of the growing profession Of social promot
ing and thus far the game was Floras
THEN came the first little mistake a brand new
house was taken at the court end of town, just off
the avenue and the park and in the shadow OF the
great Bemore mansion which commands the situa-
ton at this point. Mrs Shark began to entertain.
This was going bit too fast. There was danger of
cropper.
Shortly after this move surprised to receive an
invitation to a dinner with music aterward. Mrs
Shark was going to have an elaborate houSewarming
Had Flora weakened, and did she need me, did she
only wish me to be a witness OF her triumph?
Il was indeed gorgeous affair. More than fifty
people were asked for the dinner. But the house and
the urniShings-surey these were not evidences OF
Floras advice. The whole thing was garish and gar-
ing IN the worst possible taste There plush every
where, and even the powdered-haired footmen were
arrayed in a vivid green Of this material picked out
with gold tacngs, ike spinach and eggs. The state
drawing room about CHEEKY and homelike that
q Sccond-claSs hotel. The hostess Il did not know
her at first wonderful figure in brilliant crimson
velvet and tiara and she received her guests against
q background OF orange hanSngs and imitation gobeln
tapestry
The company was miscellaneous. 1t showed the
fruit OF Flora McAIasters picking; but there was an
undercurent Of that mob which YOU always secure
IN New York II YOU offer food and drink | saw old
Mrs Mowcher OF New York and Newport, in her vio-
lcnt violet velvet; but she would 90 anywhere for a
dinner There was an opera singer, college professor
and the newest poeteSS OF the newest passion and thus
saw that Mrs Shark had aspirations toward salon
caught sight Of Flora MCNIaSterS. She looked at me
appealingly. There was rebellion in the camp
had never been TO such dinner. af;erward found
out that the Shark money had been made by gift enter
pri>eS IN connection with patent medicines Its present
poSSeSsor evidently believed in the potency OF what she
called "SuvVeneerS She bombarded us with gifts and
surprises, from the oysters the ices Foomen stood
behind each chair with colored tissue paper and rib
bons to wrap them IN and they grew in bulk as the din
ner proceeded. | remember among other things pearl
lewcry, small bronze buSts of the President of the
United States and even manicure and shaving SETS
paraSolS, and umbrellas. Each guest departed laden
with packages. Another crowd came for the music
which was interpreted by artists from the opera and
Young woman who whiStled popular airs and initiated