Evening star., 1928-05-22
Birthright t;::'::, @:;:;: ::

Josiah, who was my at-grandfather
I'm the eighth generation. and you are
the ninth but yours Is the senior line
d'you see!"
But Patricia laughed. "If you'll dc
me a favor, you shall have it," she
promised
MY dear girl" her cousin assured
her seriously. II can hardly conceive
the favor that l would not do for you
to get possession of that picture!"
TITS just this, Harry" the girl said
You're always so sweet to me that
want you to help me out. I'm at the
Palmers. you know and I want you tC
dine there, with lot OF other people
the night the kermess opens, and leac
the grand march with Miss Palmer.
want you to meet her, Harry, and then
IL you really like her. as think yot
will, say good word for her here anc
there-just say what you honestly feel
but bear In mind that what you dc
for her is a real favor to me-"
But, my dear child" he said. with
wide-open eyes, why shouldn't bt
nice to one of your friends? 1 dont
know her. OF course, but Hutchinson
was speaking Of her last night; seems
ready to like the girl You aren't 60
ing to give me valuable present.
MY dear Harry, If it's worth while
to me?" Patricia laughed. mo. yor
shall have the Copley. Those things
don't seem TO mean so much TO me a.
they did, and after all. It's Enlily''
great-grandmother-
"Great-great-great-grandmother." hi
interrupted absently. Where is it
Pat?"
stored at Uncle Paul's."
by George. I'm deeply obliged tC
you about this, Patl 1 can't tell you
how much pleasure 1t gives metz
And you'll give Beatrice. hand
up?"
MY dear girl, I would have dont
that for your asking. anyway Mr.
Page frowned thoughtfully.
"Have they asked you to lead the
cotillon yet. Harry"
mo, they haven't yet, but I dare say
they'll ask me. Yes. I'm glad to dC
that"
Recording the Victory.
"You look glorious, Pat!" said Sydney
Hutchinson, 10 minutes later when shC
came, rosy and cheerful, into the studio
to find him with Beatrice and the
Partridges, father and son, lettering
over the teacups. You've had tea?
should hope so! It's almost s. What
have you been doing?"
"Blackmailing Patricia answered
gayly. ITS lots OF fun"
Miss Throckmorton came in, and
she asked me to luncheon at her house
tomorrow" Beatrice said with new
shyness Of manner that Patricia thought
rather charming. They're to talk
about the kermess"
I'm In thati" said Tommy Par
fridge.
Miss Palmer Is in II, too" Patricis
said, calmly, with an informing glance
for the gratifled Beatrice. My dear
child" she added, do you realize what
time 1t Is? The car must have been
do you mean by keeping your model
so long?"
"Oh, we got talking!" Sidney an
swered. carelessly. His eyes met the
wide-open blue eyes of the SenSatone
heiress. Something in their exchanged
smile gave Patricia a seconds vague
disQuiet.
She was rather silent during the
drive home. silence unnoticed by
Beatrice. who was chattering joyously
Of the portrait, the kermess and the
luncheon tomorrow.
At Beatrice'S own door the gir
turned suddenly. and Patricia was sur
prised to feel the young hand on hel
shoulder. and to see that the blue
happy eyes were wet.
Patricia" she said In a half-whis-
per. It was the first time she hac
used the name, the first time she
had softened. Tt wish we're more
like you. Do you-do you suppose
ever win be7 He thinks you are the
most wonderful woman in the world!
He told me so: don't want-I don't
hope he will ever think that of me
But-but I believe he does like me-"
Suddenly. half-laughing, and yet with
giiStening laShes, she tightened her
young, lean arms about Patricia's neck
and buried her face. Over the tawny
head Patricia stared blankly into space
On the December Sunday morning
that followed the closing OF kermess
week all Deerbridge gathered at the
Country Club for late breakfast. II
was clear. cold morning; the blue
sky was high and untouched by even
q wisp Of cloud. Sunlight poured over
the bare gold links and shone daz-
glingly in through the gay chintz cur
tainS that outlined the high windows
Of the breakfast room. Despite the
sunshine. an enormous wood fire was
blazing and cracking in the tiled fire-
place.
Little tables had been scattered all
about the big room. but the girls and
men we're continually deserting their
chicken Maryland and wafiies to wan
der free, and to stop here and there
for joyous "reminiscences and bursts of
laughter Some of the older girls looked
pale after last nights rouge and rev.
cling but among the debutantes there
was one who was glowing with the
ecstatic beauty Of love and happiness
and 10 years.
Beatrice Palmer had got to bed at
5 o'clock that morning, and had risen
refreshed and energetic at 3. to wander
into Patricia's room. with her Oriental
robe trailing behind her. and her tawny
hair In loosened coil on her Shoal-
derS. to sit yawning and dreaming and
smiling while they reviewed the whole
wonderful experience again and again.
There was confetti strewn In Beatrice S
rugs, and the three separate costumes
she had worn at the kermeSS were
PROPOSALS.