Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

the race of the future will be-a trotting
race"
Mrs. Bruce started perceptibly. Her eyes
lighted with fire. She had been working up
to this line herself, and the coincidence was
passing strange. She glared at the hostess.
Paddock studied his plate intently.
al for one,' went on the Duchess of Lis
more, "do not dance the tango or the turkey
trot. Nor am willing to take the necessary
l steps to learn them"
A little ripple ran round the table,-the
ripple that up to now had been the exclusive
privilege of Mrs. Bruce. That woman paled
visibly. She realized that there was no CO.
incidence here.
1T seems too bad, too," she said, fixing
the hostess firmly with an angry eye, "be-
cause women could have the world at their
feet-if they'd only keep their feet still long
enough"
1t was the turn of the Duchess to start,
and start she did. As one who could not
believe her ears, she stared at Mrs. Bruce.
The "wittiest hostess in San Marco" was
miltantly under way.
: "Women are not what they used to be,
she continued. EITHER they are mad about
clothes, or they go to the other extreme and
harbor strange ideas about the vote, eugen-
les, what not. In fact, the sex reminds me
of the type of shop that abounds in small
town,-its speciality is drygoods and no
tons"
The Duchess pushed away plate that
had only that moment been set before her.
She regarded Mrs. Bruce with the eye of
Mrs. Pankhurst face to face with Prime
Minister
1--WE are hardly kind to our sex, she said;
9but must say agree with you. And the
extravaganza of women! Halt the women
of my acquaintance wear gorgeous rings on
their fingers-while their husbands wear
rings about their eyes,
Mrs. Bruce's face was Evid. 3Madam!"
she said through her teeth.
what is it," asked the Duchess sweetly.
They sat glaring at each other. Then
with one accord they turned-to glare at
Jack Paddock.
Paddock, prince of assurance, was blush
ing furiously. He stood the combined glare
as long as he could, then he looked up into
the night.
aHow-how close the stars semi he muir
INJURED family.
1t was noted afterward that Mrs. Bruce
maintained a vivid silence during the re-
mainder of that dinner. The Duchess, on
the contrary, wrung from her purchased
lines every possibility they held.
And in that embattled setting Minot sat,
deaf to the delicious lisp of the debutante
at his side. What was woman's greatest
privilege? Wasn't it
His forehead grew damp. His knees
trembled beneath the table. 3Jephson-
Observation-Disclosures he said over
and over to himself.
After dinner, when the added guests in
vited : he Duchess for the dance crowded
the ballroom, Minot encountered Jack Pad
dock. Paddock was limp and pitiable.
Ever apologize to an angry woman?" he
asked. ever try to expostulate with
storm at sea? I've had it out with Mrs.
Bruce. Offered to do anything to atone
she said the best thing could do would be
to disappear from San Marco. She's right.
I'm going. This is my exit from the butter
fly life And l don't intend to say goodby
to the Duchess, either
Al wish 1 could 60 with you, " said Minot
sadly.
aWell-come along
1No. In stick it out. See you later
Paddock slipped unostentatiously away
in the direction of the elevator.
I'm dais hidden by palms an orchestra
~ began to play softly.
3You haven't asked to see my card,
said CYNTHIA Meyrick at Minot's side.