The Detroit times., 1914-02-14

she would at once lose standing in
The company and that unpopuiarity
WAS the most hopeless OF al bar
riers TO success When she was back
ia Kew York. she argued to herself II
NCuld he different Then il would be
easy enough TO be friendly with the
girls OF the company at the theater.
hut when she was away from II she
could see as little or as much Of
them as she chose.
Thus il was that Fay cleared away
any regrets that she may have hba
a. being identified with Belle Ga
don and her set OF girls. as VII as
the men who placed their automobiles
lat their service, and were forever
ready 20 play host There was, she
easily convinced herself plenty Of
time 20 go back 10 her old standards
when she had returned to town, and
20 the simple inexpensive hospitality
.or Porter Fielding
II was during this same week that
Fay was enjoying the early fruits OF
her stage success. that Fielding, too.
scored his hrst victory on Thurs
day afternoon David Wiimerding tele-
phOned him at Lusk Brothers that he
would like to nave him dine with him
that night at his house. and Fielding,
or course, accepted with alacrity. He
rather imagined that Blanche Wilmer
| ding must have come TO town for the
might and that il was TO her that he
was really indebted for the invita-
! ton. But when he had been shown
I home on Madison avenue he found
Mr.. Wilmerdmg waiting for him
alone.
/ IL was the first time that Fielding
1 had been at the house, and although
much OF the furniture was concealed
/ In its summer covers, he was deeply
| impressed by the size OF the rooms,
! the polished floors, and the wonder
ful paintings that hung against the
silk brocaded walls. After his life
at cheap restaurants, the snowy lin
en- OF the dinner table. the heavy sill.
YER. the row OF thin gilt-edged glasses
| before his plate, the shaded candles.
and the great bowl OF roses in the
center, appealed 10 him greatly. AS
| hs glanced about the dining.room. at
the mahogany sideboards covered with
massive silver plate, AZ the rich hang
ings, and the lace curtains, gently
stirred by the evening breeze. Field
Ing was immensely pleased 10 be In
such surroundings and he made no
effort to conceal his delight.
Its quite wonderful he exclaimed
with the most sincere frankness.
Ills elderly host smiled and from
across the table raised his glass OF
sherry 60 him. Pm glad you like il, -
he said heartily. Il hope that this
is only the first OF many dinners we
shall have together"
| During the dinner, the conversation
( Grifted IN various directions from the
news OF the town TO the quiet life of
! pleasantville and then back again 10
the doings OF the day on Wall Street.
/ II was not until the coffee mad been
served and the servants had left the
room that Fielding learned just why
he had been asked TO dinner. For a
| few moments the two men puffed
silently on their cigars, and then Mr..
WilmcTding pushed his chair back
from the table, crossed his legs. and
| began.
Porter" he said q hope you don't
mind my calling you Porter; want
/ ed To talk TO you about your WORK
| downtown. Are YOU satisfied? -
! Fielding looked at his host lii
tie confused. why. yes. ! thlnt
| It's wonderful business. That is
i'm sure It is, IL could once get Z
working knowledge of 1t. You see
as yet, I'm only learning the rudi
ments"
Wilmerding nodded That's II
that's why l wanted TO talk to yot
now before YOU had learned the rudi
ments. mean the rudiments OF
Dthc business as practicod by a lirn
| like R,Tsk Brothers.
Fielding looked at his host and
smiled. you mean you don't like
I Rusk Brothers