The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-11

an instant and then vanished. Il
wonder where everyone is, George.
Have you seen Clorinda? And I do
wonder where Mrs. Lambert and Mr..
Crosby are? OF course, a distinguish
ed guest like Mr.. Crosby" She
paused, with an arch, confidential
smile at Dundee: then went or in a
lowered voice: But one would think
that a paid social secretary, whatever
her former position in society, would
rah-ther make a point of being on
time for dinner Oh, there you are!"
she carolled, in the imitation Oxford
voice she frequently remembered to
assume. Dear Mrs. Lambert! How
very charming you look! I always
say a woman with that Silvery-White
hair looks ~loveliest in black. I wish
my hair would turn white, though Of
course I'm too young Not that you
aren't p~rematurely gray yourself, dear
Mrs. Lambert! But do forgive me!
You look such a picture that you've
made me forget my duties as a hos
tess -. This is Mr.. Dundee, Dicks
chum from Yale 49,. . And MIR. Dun
dee, may I present Mrs. Lambert
The Mrs. Van Rensselaer, Lambert of
New York and Newport, you know"
she added triumphantly, and Dun
dee, as he bowed. remembered Mrs.
Rhodes trite simile, like a prize dog
on a leash"
A tiny smile flickered in the depths
Of blue-gray eyes rs Mrs. Lambert
murmured an acknowledgement Of the
atrocious introduction. But not a
vestige of added color in the delicate
ly beautiful face of the social secre-
tary betrayed resentment or annoyance.
The slender but graciously mature
woman, looking taller than she was
because of the extreme length of the
black gown, moved lightly toward the
detective, and the smile had extended
to the thin, sensitive mouth. She had
accepted Bonnie Dundee at face
value, and he was glad.
what wa your class, MI. Dundee?
-. '26? Then did you by any chance
know my young nephew, Tommy
Cavendish?
The two were still talking of the
popular and redoubtable Tommy
when a miniature storm broke.
iii, Dad! 10, Abbie! Am I feah-
fully late, old thing? 80. Whoops
Dickie! Who manhandled that tic
of yours? It's a holy mess! Let me
fix it for you. 80. I say-where's the
fahncy fiance? I'm dying to e him
Hullo, fish darling! You look stun.
ming, and I think I rate q kiss!"
And to Dundee's amazement thu
small whirlwind, with pale-greer
chiffon skirts whirling madly abou'
her slim legs, flung herself upon Mrs
Lambert and kissed her soundly. Ant
Mrs. Lambert seemed vastly pleased.
"Gigi! I mean Georgiana!" Mrs
Berkeley cried despairingly. "Hov
many times have I told you not t.
call me 'Abbie' and not to addres
Mrs. Lambert as 'Tish'? And If 20,
don't drop your ridiculous imitation
of an English accent"
"Rilly, old thing" the child drawles
impudently, II thought you'd be feah
fully pleased, don't you know? Sub
deb follows in mothers footsteps-al
that rot! No, let's be brutally frank!
she cried with sudden fierceneSs. 7"
do it solely to wise you up as to HOY
God-awful it sounds, Abbie! View
got phony furniture and phony cul
ture and a phony family tree. AL
we've got that isn't phony is money
and I guess If the truth were told
that Is all Mr. Seymour Crosby Is in
terested in! But I can't bear for hin
to laugh at us for a phony Englisl
accent, on top Of everything else"
George, are you going to let thi
awful child talk to me like that?
Mrs. Berkeley moaned, but the word
had a parrot sound. Dundee was sur
!. 1t was an ancient, futile plea. ID
you know where your sister Is, Gigi?
"She's holding an impassioned tele
phone conversation in the library,
Gigi obliged. Il listened, but
couldn't make out a word. Now ma