Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-13

He was an immensely popular man. He
knew every stratum of New York society.
In all these strata he had friends. There
was the Gubernatorial set Governor
Whitman had appointed him his counsel
There was the Public Service Commission
He had been appointed a Commissioner.
There was New York's most exclusive set.
He had dned at It's tables, paid con,pli-
ments to It's fair ones. The Rialto knew
him, for he was generous firstnighter at
plays. Beautiful actresses sent him cards
TO their days at home and invitations to
house parties at their country places. All
the nation knew him. 1t had been but q
few years before that Nebraska, the State
Of corn and hogs. had called him her
"handsomest man." had made him the
youngest OF her county judges and had
nearly elected him Governor.
His fame spread across all Of America
and all of Europe. For wherever war news
had reached there was known the fighting
colonel of the BLACK tigers"
Whenever he set out for q walk or started
for a drive. wherever he dined or made n
speech, cheers greeted, him. Truth to tell
he grew little tired of 1t. For. like most
brave men and great he was modest.
Let's turn in here for a cup Of tea said
a woman relative one day as they skirted
the fountain at the Plaza.
ut would be pleasant to have quiet
moment somewhere" he admitted.
AS they crossed the foyer the elevator
door changed back. Out Of the lift stepped
a woman, tall. fair haired, with the gen.
tlest face and the softest smile he had ever
seen save one. Where he had seen that
combination OF dignity and gentleness, that
reserve Of woman who knew her world
and the frank smile of girl? She enllght
ened him. AS the relative began her in
Productions the woman of gracious pres
ence said:
1--WE have met before. May I greet the
hero az an acquaintance OF other days?"
The Colonel bowed low.
at was at New London" she prompted,
smiling.
"Ten years ago." she went on.
"I attended the Yale races there" he
agreed.
I'VE met aboard yacht"
"But Mrs. Plant
81 was Mrs Selden Manwaring them"
she said simply
81 remember" he said. Wont you Join
us at tea and renew acquaintance"
She dismissed her waiting chauffeur and
at one of the little round tables they chat
ted Of the races, Of the war, Of her small
son, whom he remembered.
"Philip Is seventeen now" she said.
81 have boy year older" he said. Ellis
name Is Leland"
philip is ut st. Paul School," she said.
al Dd "a at pornfret
"Philip wants to enter upon Diplomatic
career"
Leland thinks he will follow Dad into
law office"
They talked OF war. She urged him to
tell OF holding the trenches for ninety-one
days and Of going over the top at Belleau
Woods. She said little. She is one Of
those rare women who are Of few words
But her silence was eloquent. She paid
with unwavering attention. When the tea
and the chat were over she said:
81 have apartments here. l shall DO
glad IL you will CALL"
Let me see. This Ia February 1t was
three months ago. Yes. He died in No
vember. Mn" said Colonel "Bl" to him
self 1t is an exclamation that may mean
much or little.
she isn't going out, OF course. But
think she meant her invitation to call"
He fell easily into the habit OF calling at
the tea hour Her gentleness appealed deep
Iy to him following the rigors Of war. In
times OF long continued peace perhaps
the vivacious woman has tho supreme
charm But to the war-wearied man with
voiced woman whose face was aureoled
by sunny hair. was immeasurable.
Copyright, 1919. by Star Company.