Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02

and introduced with formality
to the official social life of Washington.
II was a quick transition from the busy, I'M
remarkable life of Marcella Martins chlldnooo,
as daughter of a prosperous manufacturer Oh
radio parts, to the highly complex social plane
achieved by Festus Martin AFTER MS GROWING
wealth had enabled him to foster political
ambitions. and after those ambitions had landed
him in Congress.
Undoubtedly it was the combination of Mar
cella's estate of only child, combined with the
Sioting ambition of parents who could have
loved her more wisely, which was accountable
for the six years of rigid social diSciphn1ng
which were imposed upon the protesting MAI
celia.
II was said of the Martins. laughingiy. in
certain washington circles, that the adoring
parents of this girl had actually succeeded In
making over her face. rather plain face,
too long, with overhanging brow and dull brown
hair entirely lacking in lights. But so often
has this and that astst idealized It, and 50 long
and arduously had schools Of massage dentistry
and hair-dressing expended skill in improving
il, that by the time she was 10 MarceIa was
indeed quite an improvement upon the lank,
lusteriess little girl Of other days.
IT can readily be imagined that the Martins
spared neither time nor the most elaborate
expenditures to launch successfully into an
estate befitting her fathers rank this idolized
and only daughter.
The fact that she was difident, frankly I'M
social unimpressed by wealth or station. un-
ambitious along lines assiduously mapped out
for her by her parents, whose dreams Of ulti-
mate highest realization lay In this girl, only
conspired to urge the elder Martins to maximum
effort.
~why Maxcella, another girl with your op-
he IN her nj
delight Doesn't it mean anything to you to
have all the things your fathers wealth and
position can AFFORD for you?"
"Of course, 1t does, mother only want them
in my way. I'm no good at this social-round
kind of thing. don't like it chiefly, I guess,
because I'm q failure at it. Don't force.
mother. Can't you reconcile yourself to the
fact that I'm not what you want me to be?"
No, neither of the parental Martins could.
Festus Martin, as much as his more obvious
wife. wanted in this daughter fitting compile
ment TO his achievements both ofacial and
social His wife was that. pretty, pampered-
looking woman with small eager ways and deep
gold eyes that were brighter than, If not rs
profound. as her daughters.
Emma" he confided to her once during one
OF their frequent controversies about this prob
lem of their girl, Il actually believe you still
have more youth and social charm than Mar
celia. What Is It ails the child? She's as fine
a girl you'll meet In q thousand years, and
yet-and yet-no two ways about it-some-
things missing"
'Its her own fault, Festus Marcellas heart
isn't in living the life about her. That's what
hurts me 50. To think girl with her oppor-
tunities doesn't appreciate them"
MARCELLA'S reaction to these implications
Of her doting parents was emotional and
deeply sincere
'Dears. don't you think it hurts me as much
as it hurts you that don't seem to live I'D to
what you want Of me? II only you could make
up your minds that you're trying to make q
silk purse out Of"
"Marcella Martin, nothing Of the sort
You've 10 times the sense and intelligence of
the girls you compete with. Why, a man like
Senator Morris wouldn't look at the sWarms Of
silly girls who buzz around him, If you SO
much as took the trouble to exert yourself to
interest him. That's what troubles us, dear
You have all the opportunities for success, in
Guiding some very natural qualities of your
own, and you won't use them"
The subject Of Senator Morris q mooted
one in the Martin household. It seemed fitting
20 the parents Of Marcella that the most elig-
ible bachelor In Washington, one Of the most
outstanding members Of the Upper House, q
man with much achhReueut behind and oh