Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-08-04
SOCIAL CLIMBERS
BY ETHEL l. STETSON

".
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 nearby town. Would
Mr.. Crane honor her household BY
spending weekend In it's midstf NAL
COIN Crane disliked being feted; but
since this Mrs. Drayton- Smith had dis
covered his proximity something must
be Gone. She wrote:
i shall meet you, personally, II pos
slble Mt NernGnle Station. In case cir
cunStaEces prevent, my daughter Eu-
senia, will be there in my place"
AT tEiS time the leading grocer OF
NefndGle WAS planning to entertain q
instant male relative from the west.
Beng Il busy and wise grocer he ar
ranged to have his daughter. Levitt CHI
ing Genie, meet his guest. And so II
happened that When the train Which
was to bring Mrs. Drnyton- Smiths
weekend guest pulled into Vtrndale
station IL sweet country girl shyly came
icrWard 10 greet pretentiouS, but per
picked young man.
we are so glad you wanted to come,
Cousin Mack"
ferhaps her simple, warm greeting
surprised him. rs 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; und Miss Eugenin D-ny-
ton-Smith sat beautifully within.
With brIefest nod to little Genie, she
exclaimed:
MIR. Crane, / owe you ten thousand
apologies. There was trouble with the
car and l was horribly delayed. or
course you know I am Miss Druyton-
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.
well, this Is a situation" he
laughed.
Il must ask you to make YOUR
adieus to the young lady. because
mother Is anx!ously awaiting your or
rival. In fact, some Of the guests
have 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-
sented In the out-ofdoor theuter Mt
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?"
mo, Mr.. Crane, it happens that she
Is not"
"I1ien, as a special favor, allow me
to extend to her my personal invi-
tation. Let's drive over In the ba-
rouche, Miss Genie We will meet you
at Fnirview' presently, Miss Smith"
Miss Eugenia Drayton-S Smith or
dered her chauffeur ~ drive on.
"YOu are an author, too, Cousin
Mnck2 end write under q monde
plume3 ] never knew" Genie was
delighted. ---,,"-~.-
The horse which drew GenIe's
barouche was old and fat. The young
man and maid arrived at "Fairvjew"
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.
When the curtain had been drawn
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 I"
"NOtice his forehead and eyes"
Eyes, unmarried. Perhaps-you
know-Eugenia. But who Is that per
fectly exquisite girl with him2"
Ssh, what IS he saying7'
''Mrs. DraytOn Smith, ladies and gen.
tlemen, a mistake has been made. ]
am not Mr.. Malcolm Crane. My name
is Macmillan Jones, md much as II
pleAses me to accept your praises rs
the author Of that renowned piece Of
literature. Social CImbers.' I can lay
claim to n lesser glory only. Indeed
I am not even an invited guest at this
party. / 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 to say, In case
you have not already established IN
your household that much accredited
scientific mid, I am here to introduce
the Macmillan Jones Washing Ma
chine. Of which. as you might say.
am-the author"
AS Mr.. Macmillan Jones drove home
beside Miss Genie Rangrin they met a
boy with n yellow envelope In his cap,
which he held In his hands. leisurely