Evening star., 1928-03-22
"The Guest. I"


A news dispatch had brought the
message to the little town that Lady
Martha Iittleton Dunning was to ar
rive for visit of several days. jack
sonville citizens were aroused over the
visit and wide preparations were made
for the prominent guests entertain
ment The dispatch did not mention
whom the famous woman planned TO
visit, but the populace assumed that
she was merely to make the town
Headquarters for sightseeing trip in
the middle West.
The principal affair arranged for
Lady Dunning's reception in Jackson
Vile was the Farrell banquet, given at
the home of Radcliffe Farrell, one of
the city's leading bankers. The joint
hoStesses, representatives Of the 'eX-
elusive" McNIurphyS. Strawn Allister
and De AmeS families, were known
as the pick" of society. Mrs. Hart
ridge. who lived in a desirable though
not exclusive part of the town. desired
an invitation TO the banquet-and
within two days of the gala affair
she had not received 1t.
Mrs Hartridge was extremely blue
that evening when her husband ar
her secret sorrow TO him. II meant
either the affirmation of her place in
the little city's social set or absolute
diSbarment from it, Such an affair
at all times included those people deS-
tined 10 be the city'S social leaders.
if they were not already SO.
Mr.. Hartridge smiled Sympathetically
at his wife. why. darling, you are
a thousand times as good as they.
Why. those women don't even know
whether Lady Dunning will attend
their banquet or not. Who. knows
she might walk right into your own
little cottage here and announce her
self your guest Immediately after she
arrives from New York" There was
an encouraging note in his voice as
he cheered his young wife.
1T is not myself I am thinking OF.
Robert" she said. Il want the chill
dren to grow up with the incest people
the city's leaders"
Mr.. Hartridge cheered his heart
broken little wife as best he could,
but on the morning Of Lady Dunnings
arrival she fell into q fit of weeping.
She recovered her compoSure about
noon and set about tidying her home.
At least she had Robert and the chill
dren. she told herself. She could live
for them. The morning papers nao
carried long dispatch concerning Lady
Dunnings visit to the little city. She
had departed from New York with
sleeper ticket to Jacksonville. the press
stated, where she was to be the guest
for a few days of old friends. The
Farrells had wired ahead that they
would meet her at the train and had
arranged a reception for herself and
her American husband. Ralph Ben
nington she had married few months
before. The husband of Lady Dunning
was merely mentioned.
The o'clock express was on time
and the cream of Jacksonville's society
gathered at the train to meet the promi-
nent guest, internationally known IN
society circles. The tall. naughty Miss
Farrell led the group and waited for
Lady Dunning to alight from the draw
ing-room compartments. And then they
saw her party. Her husband alighted
first, followed by a porter with many
bags plastered with foreign labels and
badges. Lady Dunning did not appear.
The little, smiling husband was mistaken
for part Of the retinue by the crowd
and allowed to pass unapproached. The
group eagerly awaited the appearance
Of Lady Dunning. whom they would