The daily Alaskan., 1916-11-24

"What-what-is- greatest priyilege?"
 Something in the tone of her voice sent a cold chill sweeping through Mi not's very soul. He clutched the rail for support.
 Tiff you'd answer" said the girl, it would make 1t easier for"--
 Aunt Mary's generous form appeared in the doorway.
 "Oh, there you are, Cynthia. You are keeping the duchess dinner wait ing"
 Cynthia Meyrlck joined her aunt Minot stayed behind q moment. Be low him Florida swan in the azure night What had the girl been about to say?
 Pulling himself together. he went in- side and learned that he was to take in to dinner a glorious blond bridesmaid, When they were seated he found that Miss Meyrick's face was hidden from him by a profusion of Florida blos- sons. He was glad of that. He want ed to think-think. A few others were thinking at that table, Mrs. Bruce and the duchess i among them. Mrs. Bruce was men, tally rehearsing. The duchess glanced at her.
 "The wittiest woman in San Marco" thought the hostess. Bah"
 Mir. Paddock meanwhile was toying unhappily with his food. He had little to say. The attractive young lady he had taken in had already classified him as a bore. Most unjust of the attrac- | tive young lady.
 Its lamentable, really" Mrs. Bruce was speaking. Even in our best SOL ciety conversation has given way to \ the turkey trot Our wits are in our feet. Where once people talked art, music, literature now they tango madly. It really seems"-
 Everything you say is true" inter- r,Ipted the duchess blandly. q some times think 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, and the CO., incidence was passing strange. Shs g.ared at the hostess. MT. Paddock studied his plate intently.
 q for one," went on the Duchess of Lismore, do not dance the tango or the turkey trot. Nor am willing to take the necessary 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 lady paled visibly. She realized that there was no coincidence here.
 Tt seems too bad too," she said, fix ing the hostess firmly with an angry eye. Because women could have the world at their feet if they'd only keep their feet still long enough"
 It 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 mllitantly 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, eugenics, what not. In fact the sex reminds me of the type of shop that abOunds in a small town-its speciality is dry goods and notions"
 The duchess pushed away a plate which had only that moment been set before her. She regarded Mrs. Bruce with the eye of Mrs. Pankhurst face to face with prime minlste-.
 eve are hardly kind to our sex" she said, "but I must say I agree with you. And the extravaganza of wom- en! Half the women of my &C., QuaIntance wear gorgeous rings on their fingers, while their husbands wear blue rings about their eyes"
 Mrs. Bruces face was livid.
 "Madamm she said through her teeth.
 What is it?" asked the duchess sweetly.
 They sat glarirg at each other Then with one accord they turned to glare at Jack Paddock.
 MT. Paddock, prince of assurance, was blushing furiously. He stood the