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

l To cualaNc MN,
She had really nothing In common
with Parker, their conversat ion WINS
composed entirely OF pcrsonalitie
about their various friends, and Leila
felt u great burden. and dreaded
I tho hours she must pcrforce spend
alone with her future husband II
would be much better when they
were married. Of course. but they
could not even begin 20 talk wedding
plans yet. because Parker lived In
nervous terror OF his Runt's aiSap.
prevail. and Mrs Watts F'rothlngham
was Just now In Europe. and had
not yet seen M 10 answer her
ncphew's dignified notification Of his
new plans. or the dutiful and CRU.
cious note with witch Miss Leila had
accompanied Il.
The truth. tho Leila did not know
IL. was that Mrs. rockingham had \
pretty social secretary named Mar
garet Clay. strange. attractive iit,
tie person. rs years old. whose
mother had been the old lady's com.
panion for many years. Ard to Mag
ste. as they all called her. young Mr.
Hoyt had paid some decided attention
not many months before. Mrs.
| Frothingham had seen nt TO dlsap-
prove these advances then. but she
was an extraordinarily erratic and
cross grained old lady. and her 81.
lcnec now had forced her nephew un
comfortably TO suspect that she
might have changed her mind
Darn IT," said the engaging youth
TO himself. ITS none Of her business,
anyway. what I do But Il made
him acuteiy uneasy none the less. lie
vas the possessor OF good income.
as he stood there. this mild little
blond. Il came 90 him steadily and
regularly. with no effort az all ON his
part, but. with his aunt'e niilion--it
must be az least that--hc felt that he
would have been much happier
There Il was, safe IN tho family. and
she was sevrnty.siS. and without a
direct heir. IL would be too bad TO
miss Il now
lie thought OF IL n great deal. was
thinking OF Il this moment. In fact.
and Leila suspected tina; no was. But
Mrs. Buekney aside from a half.
formed wish that young persons were
more dcfnonstrativc in these days.
and that the wedding might be soon.
had not care In the world. and
after a moments unrcspouslve ri.
lcnee. returned hIithciy 90 her query
about Clarence Breckenridge.
Il haven't seen him" responded
one Of her daughters presently
Funny. tool Last year he didn't
miss a day"
''Of course he'll get the cup az
usual. this year" Mrs Ruckney said
brightly. But I don't suppose young
people with their heads fun of wed.
ding plans win care much about the
golff' sh. added couraFeousiy.
To this Miss Leila answered only
with a weary shruK.
Been drinking lately" Mr. Hoy,
volunteered.
You say he has7'' Mrs Buck ncy
took him up promptly. Ia that sof
knew he did all the time. OF course.
but ! hadn't heard lately. Well!
Pretty hard on Mrs. breckenridge.
Isn't it,
Pretty hard on his daughter"
Miss Leila drawlcd. He has all
kinds OF money. hasn't he. Park
''scads" said MFR Hoyt succinctly.
Conversation ianguished Miss Leila
presently said decidedly that unless
her mother stood still. the sun. which
was indeed sinking low In tho west.
sr 81 L..
Edith said that she was dying for
tea. Mfr. Hoyt's watch was consulted.
Four o'clock. 10 was a little too early
for tea.
At about S O'Clock the sunlight was
softened by a steadily rising bank OF
fog. which driftcd in from the east.
mist almost like a light rain beat
upon the faces Of the last golfers.
There were no riders on the bride
path now. and the long line OF motor
cars parked by the clubhouse doors
began 10 move and shift and lessen.
People with dinner engagements
melted mys,criousiy away. lights
bloorned suddenly In the dining room.
shades were drawn and awnings
furled.
Bst in the clubs great central
apartment-which was reception
room. lounging room. and tea room.
and which. opened TO the immense
porchos. was used for dances In sum.
mer. and closed and holy-trimmed
was the scene of many a winter
dance as well--a dozen good friends
and neighbors fingered FOR tea The
women. sunk In deep chairs about
the blazing logs in the immense fire
place. gossiped IN low tones together.
punctuating their talk with an occa.
sionai burst OF soft laughter. The
men watched teacups. adding an oc.
casional comment 10 the talk. but
listening in silence for the most
part. their amused eyes on the
women's interested faces.
Here was a representative group.
ranging In age from Old Peter Pome.
founders ~ years ago, and at GO was
one Of It's prominent members today.
20 lovely Vivian Sartoris, n demure.
baby faced little blonde OF IS. who
might be confidently expected 10
make a brilliant match in a year or
two. Peter. slim. hard. gray haired
and ieaden-skinned. well-groomed and
irreproachably dressed. was discuss.
ing n cotillion with Mrs. Sartoris. a
stout, florid little woman who was
only twice her daughters age. Mrs,
Sartoris really did look young 10 be
the mother of a popular debutan,e;
she rode and played golf and tennis
as briskiy az ever; II was her pose
to bring up the subject Of age at all
times. and 10 threaten Vivian with
terrible penalties II she dared marry
before her mother was 40 at least.
old Peter Pomcroy. who had n
shrewd and disillugioned gray eye.
thought. as everyone else thought
that Mrs. Sartoris was an empty.