San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-13

were que TO leave IOr tIe hltIe
Club. Lady Pinter had volunteered
to smooth her down if she should
be inclined to resent the little
plan which has been conceived for
the evenings amusement: Hum
phrey, the innocent, was to be
taken to the lub!
When she saw him in the draw
in room Tina gave start, but a
whisper from the host and she was
ready to fall in with the plans.
He was joke in himself. Rather
heavy and ponderous, he looked
from face to face as though he
couldn't believe his good fortune
in being pitchforked among them.
1t was the pose of the country
cousin or the nouveau richie who
can never be sufficiently grateful
to th2 worldly ones for condescend-
ing to accept him as a friend. He
seemed to be hopelessly embar-
raised as Tina came forward. He
Offered his hand in greeting and
his cheeks were crimson. If she
had asked, "What do you mean by
coming here?" he would have
stammered an apology and looked
to Charlton to help him out of his
dilemma. The rest of the COM
pany looked at him as though he
were some rare animal that had
been captured in a forest and led
in among them at the end of a
chain.
Charlton said, "This is a sur
prise we had in store for Tina, Mr..
Humphrey. She was afraid you
wouldn't accept the invitation.
You people in the country are so
exclusive, you know"
81 know it was awfully good of
you to come" said Tina, tonelessly.
She didn't know whether to be an
cry or amused by the batting that
was going forward. She was say
ing to herself that the party had
made up its mind to rag her by
bringing this big bucolic fellow
out of the country and fobbins
MIN OIL Oll IltT. Alluy IlCdNGllo ssIlC
did look out of placei
at was enough for me-" he
said, ''that you wished me to come
up" He looked away from her
because he didn't like the hard ex-
preston in Der eyes. She seemed
to be saying, Don't make too big
a fool of yourself or these people
will crack their sides laughing at
the pair of US"
Lady Pinter brought relief by
inquiring if he had dined. He
confessed that he hadn't-he had
been in such hurry to get away
from Wingrove that a couple of
sandwiches at Victoria Station
were all he had been able to con-
sumo. Wine was offered; he was
sorry that he seldom took 1t. Just
a tiny cocktail? No, he had al
ways fought shy of such concoc-
tions. He added, gravely, the vul-
garism that a fellow had to have
a stomach like horse to stand the
stuff that was doled out j. these
modern days. The vulgarism only
added piquahcy to the entertain
ment Of having him with them that
night.
Charlton told him about the visit
to the Mitre Club. They were 60
ing in fancy costume. It was es-
sential that Humphrey should have
som thing startling since so much
was expected of an artistic group
such as they formed when they
went out for the night. Humphrey
regretted, still in that half-timid
voice, that he wasn't the sort of fell
low who could make an egregiOus
ass of himself by dressing up in a
clowns garb. Tina was biting her
lip. There was a growing feeling
that she would like to cut the corns
of Master Charlton. Aloud she
said:
"Mr. Humphrey doesn't require
fancy costume"
She hadn't meant to be rude at
his expense, but that was how they
took It and they laughed unman-
neredly. As if to redeem herself
in his eyes she went near him,
ranged herself by his side as
though she were seeking to protect
him from them, and said softly,
so that only he should hear, 81
don't wish you to dress up in id
otto clothes"
81 don't intend to do anything
of the sort" he replied.
Lady /Pinter was intrigued by
by him. He was new. He was
wealthy. He was full of possibili-
ties.
'TYou shall enjoy yourself to-
night" she said. "There's bound
to be all NAME of interesting
people at the club tonight. If you
should be in the least afraid III
take you under my wing" Then
to Tina, Don't be jealous, Tina,
she said. I'll take great care of
him"
Taking Charlton aside, Sarling
wondered if there was a chance
here to get a hacker for his play.
Charlton advised him 70 go slowly
about it.