Evening star., 1914-04-12


where were also my old New York friends the Bolton
Browns. They in the seventh heaven; for the
engagement had just been announced of the daughter
Of the house. the buXom, handsome Nathalie Bolton
Brown the Hon. Percy Brabazon, heir to Lord Wes
sex. Brabazon had been stationed IN the Bahamas
with his regiment the previous winter and there
the young people met Nathalie would have ex
tremey comfortable marriage portion, and she was
mighty nice girl. Brabazon indeed catch.
triumphant New York wedding had been planned; but
the bridegroom elect that the regiment, OF
which he was Colonel should be present So the Bolton
Browns had over, and the ceremony was to take
place at Saint Margarets Westminster
VIE all dined, sometimes together, quite dmiHe in
the of the hotel. On of these festive
occasions thought I recognized familiar figure in
who dining alone at little table in
OF the room. She did not suggest Mary Middleton,
and while was making up my mind as to whether my
srrmse correct 1 that Mrs Bolton-Bro
sharp eyes had strayed in the direction She i'm
medatey stifened UP and half whispered few words
to Nathalie who glanced at the solitary woman in the
corner. Then knew l could not be mistaken. The
Bolton Browns not in the utramillionare set
New York. They were KnicSerbockers of buest BLOOD
and Mrs. Boton-Brown had frequently expressed to
me her opinion of Mary Middleton She disapproved
OF her thoroughly heartless, unscrupulous climber
l surprised that Mary should be at this hotel,
which quiet, and that she should seem sad and
stlbdued. l learned that she and her mad had been
there about month"; and she dined nearly every night
in the restaurant. She seemed to know few people I
spoke to her in the foyer that evening, she going
through to catch the lift She gracious and sweet;
but she seemed to want to avoid people.
However, Mrs. Bolton Brown was in the hour of her
triumph, and like many women she had semibarbaric
instinct, and rejoced in claiming her enemies to her
chariot and making them partake of her glory. found
all three afternoon quite chummy and the
best of friends. Dear Nathalie sorry for poor
Mary who had made marriage de conienance and was
Of c1a5
women wandering through Europe; but there cir
cunstances-
For her part, poor Mary was bored; otherwise she
would have allowed herself to be patronzed by
the Bolton Browns. However, they took her up and
all frequently dined together Mary had conhded
Nathalie that she had desire, and that to
meet Edward, then Prince of Wales So far she had
not been successful, and of the titled Anglo
American women in London who could have helped
her had refused But she had faith in her lucky
The times parlous. Victoria's long reign
coming to an end, and England getting ready to
tight the Beers Regiments were being ordered to the
seat of war Bazaars, concerts entertainments Of all
kinds, being organized in aid of hospital funds
militant spirit possessed all grades of London Society.
At dinner evening Nathalie in with great
piece of news. military ball to be given by Bra
bazons regiment for the benefit of the Red Cross work
The patronesses be selected from DID, con-
servative British Two Duchesses be the
reception committee, and Lady Wessex, Nathalie's
future mother in law to stand in the receiving line
The tickets were at almost prohibve prices, and the
name of each purchaser had to be passed and ap-
proved by this group of noblewomen.
But the best reserved for the last. Royalty
would be present in the person of the Prince The func
ton would be of great state and naturally nobody
except the commanding officers of the regiment and the
noble patronesses would be able get anywhere
their future King Nathalie and her mother had bought
tickets and had been accepted owing the influence of
Lady Wessex. This willy Countess had few more
of 20 dSDOSe. btc had to he
examined with the greatest care, ETC. 1t might have
been tempting bait; but Mary did not rise it at