Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-23
lDTANAof The GREAT GAME
q THE STORY or A WonAn5 HUNT FoRAMAN
- By ETHEL LLOYD PATTERSON -
BY ETHEL LLOYD PATTERSON

fore me, | had begun to realize there was
something exaggerated in the heights
of their heels and the lengths OF their
skirts or the angles of their hats; some
thing which set them apart from the
quietly dressed young persons who were
the sisters or wives of the men i knew
| began to feel there was a world L
might not enter; a quiet, well regulated,
daylit world quite different from my
own more hectic night life. Naturally,
because this was the world denied me,
had fixed my eyes upon it longingly.
Now at last, | told myself, in Mrs. Hen
dersons home / was to catch a glimpse
of it.
My first awakening came at the sta
ton. / had expected Mrs. Henderson to
meet me when | got of the train. But
l alighted with my handbag in my hand
and as / glanced over the crowd L saw
no familiar face. l stood still on the
platform, at a loss. Then man came
toward me and touched his hat.
Are you going to Mrs. Henderson's"
he asked.
l assumed at once that this was some
friend who had been sent to meet me
because Mr.. Colby's sister was, for some
reason, unable to do so.
Yes" l answered pleasantly. How do
you do? Do you know where Mrs. Hen
derson is?'
The man took my bag from me.
This way, Miss he said. THE motor
is on the other side of the station"
NV face famed scarlet as l realized
l had mistaken man servant Tor one
of Mrs. Hendersons friends. After a
short ride over pleasant, well cared Tor
roads we turned in at gate which led
to a great rambling house. Here l was
to have my second lesson in how things
4 k,fc H0ia
No welcoming hostess was on the wide
veranda. No crowd of people standing
about prepared TO be introduced to the
new guest. Instead, a maid servant IN
cap and apron took my bag as | alighted
from the motor. She asked me if
would "go to my room first? l had
not the faintest idea what she meant.
First? Before what? 1 wanted TO
ask. Then utterly at a loss stammered
that l would like to see Mrs Henderson
This way then, Miss" said the maid
"I'll have your bag sent to your room.
l followed her down a short hall. In
another instant she had, ushered me
into wide, cool chintz hung room. A
dozen people were grouped about tea
table. / had just time 10 realize that
they did not stop their light chatter nor
pay the slightest attention TO my en-
trance, when Mrs. Henderson detached
herself from the group.
"Ah, my dear" she said, How pleas
ant! You got here safely? Have you
been to your room, or will you have
your tea now?
Although l know now that the gay
happy people about that room were
practically unaware of my existence, at
that time | was so self-conscious l felt
as though every eye were focused upon
me. l felt, too, that l had made hope
less blunder in coming to tea without
having first gone to my room and fresh
ened my attire. Now that l was there,
however, l had not the courage to leave
My one thought was to sink quietly into
a chair and have a few moments TO
recover my poise.
III have tea now, if you please. Mrs
Henderson," l said.
And as my hostess turned back to-
ward the table,
"How do you take it?'' she asked.
Weak, please" l answered.
There was a slight pause.
will you take it with sugar or lem
on or cream?" she said.
In an agony of embarrassment l real
lied / had fumbled again in my at
tempts at being a lady. For the first
time il dawned upon me there were
things l did not know.