Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-21


progress.
Between human beings, in their mutual aches and
disorders, real imaginary there is the closest bond
The freemasonry Of pain is omnpotent We are always
more interested ailments and next to these
interested those OF other persons similarly
afflicted What boon is a sympathetic listener amid
the dull surroundings OF sanatorium or private hos
pital! Through nvadism, then, had Mrs Shark begun
to realize her social aspirations She had acquired
a working capital of friends and acquaintance. Flora
McMasters would 60 over the list and help her weed
them out and then-a dash for the Pole!
I right. That winter Mrs. Shark attained the
first two metropolitan steps to general recognition
the Social Register and subscription to Bagbys Musi
cal Mornings. Later her name cropped out as patron
of number of fashionable charity entertainments,
and heard inadvertently that she had subscribed lib
orally to many of these. She was now at the Plaza.
Flora McMasters gave luncheon for her there, no
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 Flora's.
THEN came the first little mistake A brand new
house was taken at the court end of town. just off
the and the park, and in the shadow of the
great Bellmore mansion, which commands the stua-
ton at this point Mrs. Shark began to entertain.
This was going bit too fast There danger of
cropper.
Shortly after this move was surprised to receive
invitation to a dinner with music afterward. Mrs.
Shark going to have elaborate housewarming.
Had Flora weakened, and did she need me- did she
only wish me to be witness of her triumph
1t was indeed gorgeous affair." More than fifty
people asked for the dinner But the house and
the Furnishings these not evidences of
Fora's advce The whole thing garish and glar-
ing, in the worst possible taste There plush every
where, and the powdered-haired footmen were
sc o1
with gold facings like spinach and eggs. The state
drawing about as CHEEKY and homeke as that
of second-class hotel. The hostess q did not know
her 6rst) wonderful figure in brilliant crimson
velvet and tiara and she received her guests against
background of orange hangngs and imitation gobein
tapestry.
The company was miscellaneous. 1t showed the
fruit of Flora McMaster's picking; but there was
undercurrent of that mob which you always secure
in New York if you offer food and drink. l old
Mrs. Mowcher of New York and Newport, in her vio-
lent violet velvet but she would go anywhere for
dinner. There opera singer college professor,
and the newest poetess of the newest passion and thus
/ saw that Mrs. Shark had aspirations toward salon.
l caught sight of Flora McMasters. She looked at
appeaingly. There rebellion in the camp.
had never been to such dinner. afterward found
that the Shark money had been made by gift enter
prses in connection with patent medicines Its present
evidently believed in the potency OF what she
called "suvveneers." She bombarded with gifts and
surprises from the oysters to the ices Footen stood
behind each chair with colored tissue paper and rib
bons wrap them up and they grew in bulk the din
ner proceeded. remember among other things, pearl
ewery small bronze busts of the President of the
United States, and manicure and shaving sets,
parasos and umbrellas Each guest departed laden
with packages. Another crowd for the music,
which interpreted by artists from the opera and
young woman who whstled popular airs and initiated
animals.
When took leave of my hostess found her beamng
with delight She an animated, TRANSPORTED Mrs.
Shark She found moment to whisper to me, how
ever