Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-24
THE HUNT CLUB GOES A-Husrlxo

=
IF there was one thing more than
another that Merriam Lindsay
found hard to endure II was be-
Ing gently patronized by an oldet
and Weather woman than herself.
And for several days preceding GER
tain rather gray Saturday morning In
April Merry had had to grin and bear
the unconscious condescensions of a
score of such trials. Including her
usually much loved friend, Nan Blais-
dell.
Supposedly, the Blaisdells having
for the summer, Merriam should have
been very happy as she cuddled into
Johns old gray sweater on the side
porch of the Pumpkin Shell. For
Merry dearly loved company, and had
been through several neighbdrless
winter weeks. Nearly all the houses
in the vicinity had seen tenanflesS.
none Of them was nearer than quar-
ter of a mile, many of them much far
I'll err away; but today Merriam could
see that smoke was curling from the
quaint Gothic chimneys of the Dubois
home In the hollow around the bend
of the road, and she knew that Leila
filled with gay week end guests. And
81 e was enviously aware that In these
and the score Of more households that
had grown up around Thorne Blais-
delrs estate there was much pleas
| urable excitement this spring morn
ing.
She sat like a pretty little dog in
the Manager. cordially hating every
thing and everybody. she told terself,
viciously, as she stubbed her toe
against an ancient foot scraper.
"Why don't you stroll along over
to the Blaisdells'?" John interrupted
| his own cheerful whistling and wood
chopping as he glanced up at her
! downcast face. Mrs. Blaisdell said
, last night 81 ed love to have you
you'd get a dandy view of the start
Personally he thought it rather silly
of Merriam. to sulk because he couldn',
| manage to afforG to belong to the
Hunt Club, just being organized. be-
| because he could not afford smart rid
ing toys or a horse. He had no feel
| ing Of being left out Of the entire so
| cial life of the community because he
couldn't play horse"
| Don't wait for me-" he continued
Change Your mind and your frock
and run along. I'll come as soon as
I'm through the yard chores and can
get bath nd some clean duds."
| Merry shook her head in disgust
| In her minds eye she could see her
big blonde John. in matter,of-fact
business clothes, laundering into q
group of men picturesquely logged
in the pink" and she didn't like the
picture. 1t was bad enough to be
shabby herself in the midst of swank.
! lily CARRIED women folk. but she jus,
couldn't stand it to see John with
| those men. In her ears were still
ringing the gentle patronizing tones
| of every woman in the group. non.
| chalantly drawing:
Our house is SO near.-I. though,
| we'd have sort of Englishy- break.
/, FAST everybody helping themselves
| we'd love you to drop init VIII be
| awfuliy' informal" -Ess4e.
The horrid thought that she and
I, John }couldn't afford to join in the
neighborfiood gayetiss ranked: she was
| positivel surly.
| A clatter of hoofs roused her from
! her unpleasant reveries.
! Thorne Blaisdell, looking rather
| like gaudy figure from crude lith.
] ograph, saluted her with his ridins
crop. -
| Morning. Mistress Merry. why Sc
confoundedly contrary2"
| Your horse is digging up our from
| lawn, and the rich gentleman tina;
! owns il is very fussy."
! Blaisdell. who happened to be the