The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-12-05
BY kArHLEEN NORRIS

hotel. an Adirondacks camp. "A lux,
urlous club, his own yacht, and the
beautiful home he had built for him.
self within mile of the spot where
he was now having hts tea. some.
times II seemed amusing 20 him that
80 many traps were laid for him
He could appraise women quickly.
and now and then he leased a woman
OF his acquaintance with a delight.
fully wordcd description OF his ideal
81 wife, III the woman thereafter
carelesaly Indicated the possession OF
the desired qualities IN herself. Peter
saw that, too. but she never knew
u, and mover saw him laughing at
her. She went on for a month or two
dressing brilliantly for his carefully
ehapeFonod little dinners. listening
absorbed 60 his dlsscrtn tons upon
japanese prints or drapcrieR from
peshawar. until Peter grew tired and
drew orr when abe must put a brave
face upon ~ and do her share 60
show that nhe realized that the little
game was over
lie had not been entirely without
feminine companionship. however.
during the half century Of his life as
man. Every body knew some.
thins-and suspected great deal
more-of various friendships OF his,
Even the girls knew that Peter Pom
eroy was not oVcr.cautious in the
management OF his affairs. but they
did not like him the lees. nor ana
their mothers find him lcEs eligible.
In a matrimonial sense. Sometimes
he met the older womon'A hints quite
seriously. with brief illusions to
some little girl" who was always as
sweet and deserving and virtuoua a.
his own fathorly interference In her
affairs was dlsinterented and kind
Il ala what could for her--rinlinE
what might or might not be said.
Mr. pomcroy might add. with a
hero's modest smile and shrug. And
n nobody eve believed him. at least
nobody ever challenged him.
Vivian Sartoria. Kirlishiy p~rched
on the great square leather fender
that framed the Fireplace. was merely
a modern. a very modern. little Girl.
demureiy dressed In tho smartssi o.
white taffc,a ruffies. with her small
feet In white silk stockings and
shoes. daring uttlo black and white
hat mashed down upon her soft. loose
hair. and. alunE about her shoulders
a woolly coat % clear,st lemon yell,
low Vivian gave tho impression %
a soft little wIchful cat. unfrfsndly.
alert. selfish. Her manner was stud
iedly rowdyish. her speech narred By
slang. she loved only a few pera>pa
In tho world besides herself. One OF
these few persons. however. was
Clarence breckenridge daughter.
Carol. affectionatriy known % all
these persons as BILLY" and ., was
In Miss breckenridge defense that
Vivian was speaking pow. 4 gen.
erai yet drsuitory discussion q the
three breckenridge had been gplnF
on for some moments. And some
particular criticism Of the man Of
the family had pierced Mics Sartoris'
h8bituai attitude % bored silence.
That's all true about him" she
sail ldlys spreading a sturdy little
tNaAAtaA W WV RtAEEa nave 10 wv
for Clarence Breckenridge. and q
think Mrs. breckenridge IL absolutely
the most coldblooded woman ever
met She always makes tue feel as
10 she were waiting 20 w.. mc make
"A fool Of myself. % that sh. could
smile that smooth superior smile Of
me. But Carols dlffcrent-sho's
- a. 81.
u YOU know what I ncan--shc's the
finest ever" finished Miss Sartorin.
with a carefully calculated boylsh.
ness. land what mean to say IL.
she's never had fair DEAR
There was q little murrnur OF Rs
sent and admiration at this. and only
one voice disputed u.
You're not called upon 20 defend
Billy Breckenridge. vivian" said
Eiinor vanderwail. In her cool.
amused voice. ''Nobody's blaming
Billy, and Rachael Breckenridge can
stand on her own feet. But what
we're saying il that Clarence. IN
spite Of what they do 20 protect him.
will get himself dropped by decent
people II he goes on as be f. going
ont He was tennis champion four or
five years ago: he played against an
Engiishman named Waters. who was
about half his age. II was tho most
remarkable thing ever saw"
Wonderful matchr' said Peter
Pomeroy. ha she paused.
Wonderful should say sor'
Miss vanderwail sighed ndrnlringly
at the memory. DO you remember
that one set went to 1917 Each
man won on hls own scrvice--'most
remarkable match ever Hawi but
Clarence breckenridge couldn't hold
a racket now. and his game OF bridge
is getting 10 bc absolutely rotten.
Crime. call ltF'
Vivian Sartoris offered no further
remark. Indeed she had dsifted into
a Iow-toned conversation with q
young man on the fender. F.linor
Nauderwall was neither pretty nor
rich. and she was unmarried az -.
her social importance being further
lessened by the fact that she had
five sisters. all unmarried. too, OK.
cept Anna. the oldest. whose son was
in college. Anna was Mrs. Prince.
her wedding was only long ago
memory now. Georgiana. who came
next. was calm. plain woman OF 81.
interested In church work and or.
ganized charities. Alice was musical
and delicate. f:linor was worldly,
decisive. the social favorite among
the sisters. Jeanette was boyish and
brisk. a splendid sportswoman. ana
Phyllis. AZ 20, was stu babyish and
appealing. tiny In build. and full Of
feminine charms.
All five were good dancers, good
tennis and golf players. good horse.
women. and good managers An five
dressed well. talked wen. and played
excellent bridge. The fact of their
not marrying was an eternal mystery
IN fNatr frIaudu IN tbaI,s ttlrzr nary.