The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-01
BY Kate Trimble Sharber.
Copyrighted.


CONTINUED from our last issue.
Now, according to my ethics
there are two kinds of men who
go to daylight parties-idiots and
those who are dragged there by
their wives.
had scarcely crossed the lawn
of Seven Oaks and found for my
self a modest place beside the
speakers stand when l observed
that this present congregation
held a fair sprinkling of each
kind.
First of all I noted two Oh
three financial graybeards; three
or four yearling bridegrooms, not
broken yet to taking the bit be-
tween their teeth and staying re-
belliously at the office; Major
Harvey Coleman. a high officer in
the Sons of the American Revolu-
tion, and then-then-!
Well, certainly the impassive
being next him was the most I'M
sicial looking man l had ever had
my eyes droop beneath the gaze
of!
He was sitting in the place of
honor - in the last chair of the
first row-but despite this, he so
clearly did not belong at that
party, and he so clearly wished
himself away. that well. in
'stantly began searching through
the crowds to find a woman with
handouts!
l had just reached this point
when our hostess hustled up and
shooed me out of my quiet corner.
Grace" she whispered, move
out a bit, will you, and let me
crowd man in over there"
I gathered up my open sheet of
copy paper and moved obediently
into the next chair, which she had
indicated.
That's right-thank you! I've
found out by experience that II
you let certain suspicious charac-
tiers linger on the ragged edges of
a crowd like this they're sure to
disappear"
Then she turned and beckoned
with smile of triumph. .
Him" l asked in surprise.
She was looking in his direction
SO failed to see the expression OF
my face.
ITS no more than he deserves
this American Revolu-
ton rubbed into him." she OBJ
served. absently. 81 have never
worked so hard in my life over
any one man as | have over this
identical Maitland Tait!" no
saw him rise and come toward
her-then l began having trouble
with my throat. | couldn't breathe
very easily.
Maitland Tailt!" l gasped.
"Yes-the Maitland TAFT! Have
you met him?" Mrs. Walker
asked carelessly, as he approach
ed.
No."
She turned to him.
I'm going to put you in here
where you'll have to stay" she
laughed.
Il wasn't going to run away
NO? You can't always tell. II
this location you'll be in the
clutches of the press, you see, ant
by the way, you must meet Miss
Christie; Mr.. Taft, Miss Chris
tie!"
His face was still perfectly i'm,
passive, and he bowed gravely-
with that down-to-the-belt grace
which foreigners have. I noddct
the pink satin rose on my hat il
his direction. This was all!
You are a Daughter of the
Revolution, presume?" his voice
finally asked me.
Eyes, l am" l answered.
Our eyes met for an instant
Far, far back, concealed by his
dark iris, was a tingle of amused
contempt.
Then / dare say you're inter.
ested in this OCCASION" His tone
held a challenge.
mo, indeed I'm mott" | an.
swered foolishly. IL came only
because l have to write up Major
Coleman's speech for my paper.
am a special writer for the Her.
aid"
And it was then that he smiled
really smiled. l saw a trans
formation which l had never seen
In any other mans face, for with
him a smile escapes.
Did you say the Herald?" he
asked.
II YES"
Il have had my-attention call.
ed to your paper recently" he
said, in 80 serious a tone that !
was compelled to look up and
search for the smile which I fel,
must Turk behind it. And when
saw 1T there, l felt treasured. and
smiled In response.
so they told me at the office. .