The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-19
BY HELEN WORDEN

van walked IN q lew miuuJeS De-
fore 1. Mrs. Martin had not yet
arrived.
But Katie didn't mind waiting.
She liked to wacth the people,
many of whom she recognized
from their pictures In the papers.
Mrs. Birdie Matson was beginning
to show the wear and tear Of five
husbands, she thought, surrepti-
tiously studying the fiamboyant
woman sitting beside her. Across
from them was Mrs. Matson's first
husband. He waved good-na-
turedly to his former wife. Jean,
the owner Of the Colony, nodded
affably to Mrs. Donovan.
We've missed you," he said.
eyes, I've been South" Katie
answered, pleased to be noticed
by Jean and yet careful Of over
familiarity. IT came back on the
boat" she added.
In her heart, Katie knew that
Jean knew the social standing of
the Donovans was not so secure as
their finances. But today she
thought he would be more i'm
pressed. To be seen publicly with
Mrs. William Martin sent ones
social stock soaring.
A stir at the door, heralded Mrs.
Martins arrival. Wherever she ap-
peared, there was always a commo-
ton. Her dress, her manner and
her voice, commanded attention.
my dear Mrs. Donovan" she
cried, bearing down under full
sail on Katie.
She was dressed today in heavy
black satin with a great deal of
jet cleaning at the throat and her
mink coat and a mink hat made
her look like a Russian genera.
Those waiting in the lounge hooked
pleasantly elf-conscious as she
passed, glad to be at the Colony on
the day she was lunching there.
I'VE have your same table Mrs.
Martin" Jean nodded. then sig
nailed to a waiter. Madame is
sitting in the front, the one
marked reserved"
He directed the small cavalcade
of walters, busboys and attendants
to draw the chairs back, fill the
glasses with ice and put a special
bouquet of spring flowers on the
table.
Wen order and then talk"
Mrs. Martin said, accepting the
homage. She sat opposite Katie,
nodding to this and that person,
holding up her lorgnette the better
to identify those about her.
There's Mrs. Morgan" she
murmured, bowling to an extra
ordinarily thin old lady whose
wrinkled parchment throat was
held in place by a black velvet
band.
I'm expecting you at my party
tonight" she called.
Mrs. Morgan nodded, the plumes
swaying on her Queen Mary tur-
ban. "I'm looking forward to it
with great pleasure. I hear your
beautiful niece is the inspiration. /"
BY the time Mrs. Martin had
spoken to the different people
around her, 1t developed that prac-
tically everybody in the restaurant
would be at the party. The Robil-
lards, the Jameses, the Kissans and
the Leonard FincheS were all COM
ing.
Mrs. Martin fixed her lorgnette
on Mrs. Donovan.
II hope you like smoked salmon
and f1let of SOLE" she said. II al
ways order them in England
This is the only place in New
York where they're half decent"
Katie murmured that she liked
them very much. She was going
to be a lady if it killed her.
"And now" said Mrs. Martin,
sweeping aside the knives and
forks which the walters had so
carefully laid in front of them,
I'VE can get down to business"
She was not one to side-step the
issue. James Martin and Will,
my husband, need your husbands
help and cooperation - in a bust
ness way" She eyed Katie
benevolently, paused moment,
then spoke slowly and deliberately
1.-THE shortcut to this union would
be a marriage between your son
and James daughter. What could
be more all-poWerful than the
merging of these two families?"
Katie nodded. Discussion of bus
mess of any sort was beyond her
depth, but she had sense enough to
keep quiet. Mrs. Martin mistook her
silence for scepticism.
There's no reason in the world
why you shouldn't be the first lady
in society,"" she said, gently patting
Katie's hand.
Before Mrs. Donovan had a
chance to reply, Mrs. Tom Sher-
wood interrupted.
You must have raced us back"
she exclaimed. II pictured you
still cruising north on the Kath-
crime and here you are looking as
If you'd already readjusted your