Evening star., 1914-08-23


everybody and what everybody did. The aristo-
cratic ancents of the historic Faubourg and the rich
Americans transplanted in foreign soil interested him
greatly. At first doubt from highly colored hearsay
he looked down upon with proper contempt as
carpet knight; but when he found was good business
man his respect for increased hundredfold He
piled with questions about Society at home, about
climbers and breakers-in and those who had arrived
Here my chance!
1t was delightful afternoon the terrace of that
hotel at t-German, where you get an excellent
breakfast and wonderful view. The ladies had gone
with friends explore the famous chateau oppo
site. We alone. Boulton opened his daily quizz
bv putting through rigid examination to the cost
of social campaign. gave him general outline and
took occasion to point out the advantages OF squirt at
New York, especially by millionaire from smaller
city. He cut short in his usual snapshot manner
Al know what you driving at" he said; 3but not
for yours truly just at present. have got other fish
to fry. Either Newport New York would be cinch,
he continued, without listening to my protest, "com-
pared to what want and that is to get into Madrid
Society. have the money, have the handsomest
house in town, my girls, if do say it, not only good
lockers but have had the best polishing at the most
expensive schools in the East As for that old settler
crowd at home, can them body and soul. They
are tame enough and eat out of my hands all
but their folks. want to make these Congers,
these Mercks and Marvins and the rest of that bunch
Calumet avenue, sit UP and take notice. know you
are the man to help do it-and you needn't sniff at
UP all you ask for. Give figure on the job!'
was fairly taken off my feet; but the offer was char
acterstic of the So far my activities had been con-
fined to great metropolitan centers. To conduct a
social campaign in small and comparatively unknown
city, however charming it and its people might be,
seemed rather beneath my dignity. And there the
Boultons might be a difficult proposition; although,
with the position of my family in neighboring town
and my prestige, l was sure l could land them.
But did not relish the idea of being exed in Middle
Uyoe+ T poirh hrioh ht
where there would certainly be many dismal hours.
However l hoped Boultons idea of expenditure might
fall far below mine. fixed ten thousand dollars for my
honorarium, demanding free swing and unlimited
money for expenses He accepted my terms and nailed
the spot.
MRS. BOULTON and the girls not enthusi-
~ astic. They did not like Madrid. But they
willing go through the ordeal the head of the house
had some shrewd motive behind it all.
arranged to begin preliminary canter at certain
Southern autumn resort Ethel devoted to sports
and would see that she had good show at golf and
tennis We would give uncheons and dinners, and there
would be trouble in finding guests willing to be enter
tanned. All these dongs would be sent out by the
Society correspondent, and could make that they
would be published in the Sunday edition of the Madrid
Sirnitar. This to make impression on "home
folks" and to show that the Boultons, even if not
prophets in their land could command good
position elsewhere. 1t succeeded far beyond my
pectations.
On my way West stopped at my native town to
visit my married sister There clearly that long
absence in the metropolitan world had dimned my
memory as to the social conventions of the best Circles
at home.
My sister always kept up the fiction of knowing
what was my profession, against which she well
others there had odfashioned prejudices When told
her was going visit the Boultons at Madrid she
pected Immediately what I about. Both she and
her husband warned me against showing my hand and
a1, That T nOa61 To
be nominaly his secretary-the usual convenient blind
and have an office fitted up for me at the plant I