Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-05-19
SOCIAL CLIMBERS
BY ETHEL /. sTETsoN

most brilliant dramatist 81 his day
AFTER completing his play, Social
Climbers he buried himself In the
little town OF Ashton for complete rest.
Even there note reached him from a
Mrs. Drayton-Smith. who occupied q
large villa In u nearby town WOul6
Mr.. Crane honor her household by
spending weekend In its midst? Nal
colin Crane disliked being feted; but
since this Mrs. Drayton- Smith had dis.
covered his proximity something must
he done. She wrote:
Il shall meet you, personally, II pos
sible, at Nerndale Station. In case cir.
cumstances prevent, my daughter Eu-
genia, will be there In my place"
AT this time the leading grocer of
NeFndale was planning 10 entertain
distant male relative from the west.
Being a busy and a wise grocer he ar
ranged to have his daughter, bewitch-
ing Genie, meet his guest. And SO 1t
happened that when the train which
was to bring Mrs. Drayton- Smiths
weekend guest pulled into Verndale
station sweet country girl shyly came
forward to greet pretentious, but per
picked young man.
We are so glad you wanted to come.
Cousin Mack"
Perhaps her simple, warm greeting
surprised him, as did the old barouche
TO which she led him. At any rate,
both pleased him.
As the barouche rolled through coun-
Try by-ways, what came putting and
stopped alongside but huge touring
car ID, s. was beautifully inscribed
on the door; and Miss Eugenia Dray-
ton-Smith sat beautifully within.
With briefest nod to little Genie, she
exclaimed:
Mr.. Crane, l owe you ten thousand
apologies. There was trouble with the
car and | was horribly delayed. or
course you know l am Miss DraytOn-
Smith. DO let us drive you to Fair
view as quickly as possible"
The young man seemed in nowise
eager to haste from the barouche.
We'll, this Is situation" he
laughed.
4 must ask you TO make your
adieus to the young lady, because
mother Is anxiously awaiting your ar
rival. In fact, some of the guests
nave begun to arrive for the garden
party we are giving; and mother has
arranged for one or two scenes from
your wonderful new play, to be pre-
scented In the Out-of-doOr theater at
4 80. So, you see, there Is not much
time to spare"
The young man twinkled. II sup
pose Miss Genie, here, is one OF the
guests?"
'No, Mr.. Crane. 1t happens that she
Is not"
Then, as a special favor, allow me
to extend TO her my personal invi-
taton. Let's drive over In the ba-
rOuche Miss Genie. We win meet you
at 'Fairyiew presently, Miss Smith,"
Miss Eugenla Drayton-Smith or
dered her chauffeur TO drive on.
"You are an author. too, Cousin
! Mack? ana write under monde
plume? | never knew" Genie was
delighted
harouche was old and fat. The young
man and maid arrived at "Fairview"
when the guests were already as
sembled In the theater. All attention
was drawn from the stage and direct
ed upon the author and the lovely girl,
whom Mrs. DraytOn- Smith conducted
to conspicuous seats.
Whom tha curtain had haau o,t-yo
on the last scene Mrs. Dayton Smith
made a studied and elaborate speech,
introducing Mr. Macolm Crane, the
young author Of nationwide fame.
| The laurel-crowned one rose amidst
| heavy applause.
isn't 1t wonderful? Such poise !"
Notice his forehead and eyes,"
Eyes, unmarried. Perhaps-you
knOw-EugenIa But who is that per-
fectly exquisite girl with himT"
SSH, what is he sayingT'
| Mrs Drayton Smith, ladies and gen
tlemen. mistake has been made.
am not Mr.. Malcolm Crane. My name
| is Macmillan Jones, and much as It
| pleases me to accept your praises as
the author Of that renowned piece Of
literature, Social Climbers can. lay
| claim to a lesser glory only. Indeed,
J | am not even an invited guest at this
/ party. I came through the extreme
kindness of my cousin, Miss Genie
Rangrin, whose father, my uncle, is.
| believe, the leading grocer Of this
| town. But, allow me 10 say, In case
! you have not already established in
your household that much accredited
scientific aid, I am here TO introduce
the Macmillan Jones Washing Ma
chine, Of which, as you might say, I
am-the author"
| As Mr.. Macmillan Jones drove home
beside Miss Genie Ranrin they met a
boy with yellow envelope In his cap,
which he held In his hands, leisurely
making his way up the "Fairview'
drive