Evening star., 1939-04-02

IT IS always lattering to 17O8 that she is so
we'll remembered at the Harden House.
. She spends only few weeks there every
year, stopping on her way to, or from, Europe.
But the footman in snowy breeches and
vanished boots, opening her cabs door,
scrapes in instant recognition and murmurs,
Good day, Mrs. Borton." The bellboy, seiz-
ing her custom-made luggage, says, Morn
ing. Mrs. Borton." And, inside, the desk clerk
smiles gravely and politely murmurs. so
glad to have you back with US, Mrs. Borton.
We have your usual suite"
To be so recognized at the Harden House
does pleasant things to 1908. Governors,
judges and senators are almost commonplace
figures in its deep red and gold lobby; movie
celebrities and famous society women deco
rate its restaurants; fnancers and diplomats
live and love and work in it.
So 1908 is charmed by the flood of recog-
milton. She walks across the lobby as though
leading parade conscious that young Mr..
Murphy. the assistant manager, is bowling
respectfully to her, aware that the elevator
operator need not be told to stop at the 18th
floor, conscious that all these people know
they are looking upon Mrs. Henry Borton,
wife of the millionaire mill owner, leader of
society in her Carolina city
She wouldn't consider stopping any place
else. Once she threatened to, once she flew
into rage at the hotel. But it was triviality.
1t happened the first time she stopped at the
Harden House. She has forgotten it.
The floor clerk heard the first angry little
screech. Miss Gerhardt, the telephone opera
tor, was next - she saw 17O8's light go flick
ing on and off, And then it was Mr. Murphy,
picking up the telephone in the managers
Office who got the hysterical shrillness in his
ear: What kind of hotel is this! What have
you got here "a bunch of thieves? l thought
this was a respectable -"
Have you lost something, madame?"
Have 1? - Hasn't anybody here got any
brains! Get the police! just told you some
body stole my ring"'
Three minutes later Murphy and Glarnan,
the house detective, raped on the door of
1908. Shrilly, Come in!' the guest screamed.
and they went in, Murphy looking worried,
Glarnan trying to look as though he knew
what it was all about as BELTS retired police
man with twenty years of experience running
the elevator at police headquarters.
1908 was in pink negligee dripping with
maribou. She had forgotten that her plump
cheeks we're smeared with cold cream, great
blob of it sticking to her second chin. She had
forgotten that Mrs Henry Barrett BOrtOn,
without corsets, didn't look like society
leader. She picked out Glarnan I'm going to
sue you! I'm going to sue you for twenty
thousand dollars you and -
Glarnan backed away. Murphy said
gravely, Nov I'm sure that won't be neces-
sary, Mrs. Borton. Guests of the Harden
House, with just complaint need never go
to court. Now - if you'll just tell us where
you saw it last, and when?"
Right there was where l laid it," She
pointed plump, scarlet-tipped finger at the
dressing table. There was little heap of
jewelry there - bracelets, wristwatch,
brooch couple of rings. Il took it off with
my other jewelry to take BATH.
And that was how long ago, Mrs. Borton?"
About an hour and half Naturally, l
didn't think to look right away after my bath.
thought this was respectable hotel, where
guests belongings we're safe -"