Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-22

those big leather chairs, Jack. I'm 20.
Ing to use 1t often. All you need to
make this social center Is n good
looking girl or two-unmnrried ones
You watch. When the summer flock
comes to the lakes your place Is going
to be popular"
Tint observation verified Benton's
shrewdness. The Fyfe bungalow did
become popular. Two weeks fter Char
lies visit lean, white cruiser, all brass
and mahogany above her topsides, slid
up to the float and two women came Mt
dignitied pace along the path to the
house. Stella had met Linda Abbey
once, reluctantly under the circum.
stances, but 1t was different now-witl,
the difference that money makes. She
could play hostess against an effective
background, and she did so graciously
Nor was her graclousneSs wholly as,
sumea. After oil, they were her kil,d
OF people. Linda. fair haired, perfectly
gowned, perfectly hammered, sweetly
pretty: Mrs. Abbey. forty-odd and look
Ing thirty-five, with that calm self as
surance which wealth and position CON
fer upon those who hold 1t securely
Stella found them altogether to her Iik-
Ing. 1t pleased her, too, TINT Jack hap
pened In to meet them He was not a
scintillnting tinker, yet she had noticed
that when he had anything to say he
never failed to attract and hold atten-
tlon. Ills quiet, lmpersonal manner
never suggested stolidness. And she
was too keen an observer to overlook
the fact that from purely physical
standpoint Jack Fyfe made an impress
sion always, particularly on women.
Throughout thai winter 1t had not dis
turbed her. It did not disturb her now
when she noticed Linda Abbey's gaze
coming back to him with n yelled ap-
praisal IN her blue eyes that were so
like Fyfe's own in their tendency to
twinkle and CLEAN with no correspond
Ing play Of features.
"Well expect to see q good deal of
you this summer" Mrs. Abbey said cor
daily ut leave taking. 1--WE have few
people up from town now and then to
vary the monotony Of feasting our souls
on scenery. Sometimes we are quite
a jolly crowd. Don't be formal. Drop
In when YOU feel the inclination"
When Stella reminded Jack Of this
some time later. in moment Of bore
dom, he put the Panther ut her dis
posal for the afternoon. But he would
not go himself. He had opened up a
new outlying camp and he had direc-
lions to ISSUE work to lay out.
You hold up the social end OF the
game" he laughed. an hustle logs"
SO Stella invaded the Abbey-Monohan
precincts by herself and enjoyed 1t, for
she met houseful Of young people
from the coast, and In that light heart
ed company she forgot for the time be-
Ing that she was married and the re-
sponsible mistress of house.
She had the amused experience of
beholding Charlie Benton appear an
hour or 90 before she departed and
straightway monopolize Linda Abbey
In his Enthusiastically impetuous fash
ion. Charlie was no diplomat. He be-
Heyed In driving straight to any goal
he selected.
$50 that's the reason for the out
ward metamorphosis," Stella reflected
"Well?"
Altogether she enjoyed the afternoon
hugely. The only fly in her ointment
was greasy smudge bestowed upon
her dress--a garment she priced high
ly-by come cordage coiled on the Pan
theirs deck. The black tender had car
ried too many cargoes Of loggers and
logging supplies to be fit conveyance
for persons in party attire. She exhib.
tied the soiled gown to Fyfe with due
vexation.
II hope you'll have somebody scrub
down the Panther the next time want
to go anywhere In a decent Dress" she
said ruefnlly. "That'll never come out.
And It's the prettIest thing I've got too"
"Ah, what's the odds!" Fyfe slipped
one arm around her waist. you can
buy more dresses. Did you have a good
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