The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-11

of the Poor Little Extra Cir"
Waiting in the Outside Office of
the Booking Agent, Mr.. Carlton,
the Prosperous Dramatic Pro-
Queer, Stops and Becomes Inter-
ested in Unknown Edith Day.
number of divorce cases.
The genial host, usually a titled person
age, summons his guests-the more the
i.errier-and times their arrival for the
middle OF the afternoon:
From the hour OF arrival until dinner
time everyone tries to get acquainted so
that the game may not be delayed after
dinner by any further formalities. At dusk
the frolic starts.
First, all of the guests are shuffled about
so there is no possibility Of social en-
counter between husband and wife, which
would spoil the game for both. according
to the rules. Then each couple Is handed
a bottle Of champagne WI L two straws in
It and told to scatter. Thereafter the
evening is given over to a glorifed game
of hideand-seek with the assurance that
no one will do any seeking.
The object of serving one bottle Of cham
payne, instead Of two, is to promote good
implied by separate bottles. Hosts who
mistakenly endeavor to show their liberal
ity by providing a bottle apiece are re-
garded as old togies by the vivacious
guests. who lose no time in disposing Of
the embarrassing surplus quart. ,
1t Is q very pleasant sight to see the
guests lock arms and stroll of in the Sum-
mer moonlight to explore the beautiful
acres surrounding the palace. Everything
seems SO idyllic, so poetic. Here is no
place for jealousy or any of the baser emo
tons Of humankind; and yet, those emo
tons creep into the scene very frequently
after all.
When earle Carlton saw Edith Day
saunter of with her leading man, Pat
Somerset. he became uneasy. Somerset
was hardly the man he would have chosen
to accompany his wife on an uncharted
tour and. into dark corners of the castle
grounds
Rumor had involved him IN an unsavory
mess or two and lately there was talk
of his wife, Margaret Rannerma- the
celebrated Canadian actress, sueing him
for divorce. And II had somehow seemed
to him lately that Edith and Somerset
went through their stage caresses with
more enthusiasm than is called for in a
musical comedy. But, on the other hand,
to have chased after his wife would have
been gravely improper under the circum.
stances.
Such action on his part would have
necessitated an embarrassing explanation
and the other guests would have consid.
cred 1t to be an objectionable breach of
etiquette It is not goot form when play
ing "Beaux and Bottles" to worry about
your wife.
So Mr. Carlton postponed his remarks
until midnight, when the guests began to
reappear When Edith explained she had
been visiting interesting snots ahout the
~re,t estate. Mr. Carlton merely observed
that she had-t time to inspect half the his
toric spots in England. and did not resume
the discussion until they we're IN their motor
exceeding back to London. Then his repri.
mand was checked by her Indignation and
he turned his conversation to the scenery
~he following day Edith begged him 10
avr' himself Of an invitation to a weeks
shooting party in Ireland on the estate
OF another nobleman. Not without some
misgivings he accepted. thinking that II
there had been any grounds for his sus-
picions Edith might get another point of
view In his absence.