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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/23973-8.txt b/23973-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b589e9f --- /dev/null +++ b/23973-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,822 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Mrs. Christy's Bridge Party, by Sara Ware +Bassett + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Mrs. Christy's Bridge Party + + +Author: Sara Ware Bassett + + + +Release Date: December 22, 2007 [eBook #23973] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY*** + + +E-text prepared by the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading +Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 23973-h.htm or 23973-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973/23973-h/23973-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973/23973-h.zip) + + + + + +MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY + +by + +SARA WARE BASSETT + + + + + + + +Copyright, 1907 +by Sara Ware Bassett + + +[Illustration: "Mrs. Christy."] + + + + +Mrs. Reginald Norman walked into Sherry's and sank down at a small table +with the calm assurance of one conscious of being both beautiful and +perfectly gowned. There were no defects for the critical world to take +up and magnify. Her gown fitted flawlessly, was built by the highest +court of appeal on Parisian fashions, and suited her to perfection. + +There is nothing like such a latent consciousness to impart poise to the +wearer. Dainty little Ethel Danielson followed, dropping into the +opposite chair. + +"It was awfully nice of you to set this time for me to meet and lunch +with you," said Mrs. Danielson, leisurely drawing off her long gloves. +"Really, if you do not set definite hours you never see your friends at +all; this last whirl before Lent has been frightful, hasn't it? I'm worn +to a shred!" + +"Yes, I shall be glad of a rest. You must go to things--if for no other +reason than to prove you are asked. I haven't seen any of my family for +over a week. I saw your husband a moment or two at the Opera last night +with the Goodhue Livingstons," returned Mrs. Norman, as she loosened her +veil. + +"Oh, did you? Poor Harry--how was he? He has been having the grip or +something, his valet told me a couple of days ago," answered Mrs. +Danielson carelessly. "Well, my dear, to change the subject--are you +going to the Christy's bridge party? I'm simply dying of curiosity to +know! I thought of you the minute I opened the cards and wondered what +you would do--you have said so much about them." + +"Don't mention bridge to me!" burst out Mrs. Norman emphatically. "Look +at my hair--did you ever behold such a vision in your life? The +parlor-maid did it, after much persuasion and an ample tip. I'm +perfectly discouraged--Therése has gone!" + +"Gone? That maid you brought from Paris! Why you told me that nothing +but fire or the sword would separate you from that girl," ejaculated +Mrs. Danielson in surprise; "wasn't she satisfactory after all?" + +"Perfectly satisfactory--perfectly, my love. I never had a maid who so +thoroughly understood my style and what I could and could not wear. I +was forced to let her go; every one of the eleven servants would have +left. The housekeeper told me it was policy to dismiss her," said Mrs. +Norman, thrusting her fork into a soft shell crab with great vehemence. + +"Might one ask why they objected to her? Certainly, her nationality +wasn't a ground for such a demand, for half your servants are French, +aren't they?" questioned Mrs. Danielson with much interest. + +"Oh, it wasn't that. She didn't play bridge! She just made the twelfth +one, and her not playing spoiled the third table--they would not have +her," explained Mrs. Norman dubiously. + +"What are we coming to!" Mrs. Danielson exclaimed in despair; "I don't +wonder you're discouraged--you have to be so careful how you are gotten +up. You look so stunning in some things and so--well, you +understand--one must study one's style! Now tell me, what are you going +to do about the Christy's bridge? Everyone is wild over it! I've heard +nothing else for days--it's to be quite the event of the season. Shall +you go?" + +"No. I have thought it all out. It seems to me some of us must take a +stand. If we accept invitations from the Christys' why the harm is +done--they will be in society before we know it! There are enough queer +people in our set already without adding them. I shall not go!" Mrs. +Norman drew herself up haughtily. + +"That's just what I think," echoed Ethel Danielson; "we must, as you +say, take some definite position in the matter. If we stand out I am +sure others will. The Christys are simply dying to get in, and they have +loads of money to back them. What was it--blacking? Something +disagreeable, I remember." + +"No, ink! Just as black and disgusting. They've squandered hundreds on +this bridge party; all the prizes were bought abroad, I hear, and +Kathryn Van Rensselaer told me there were to be fifty tables," continued +Mrs. Norman. + +"It will be one of those horribly vulgar affairs with five times as much +of everything as there is any need of, I suppose," rejoined Ethel +scornfully. + +"Do you know, I hear that ballroom is the most magnificent in New +York--done entirely by Garten-Veen." + +"Well, we shall at least hear about it," sighed Mrs. Norman, with a +slight tinge of regret in her tone, "we'll telephone--you have one of +course!" + +"Have a telephone? Well, I should say! One might as well be out of the +world as try to live without one. Everyone has one now," answered Mrs. +Danielson with a shrug. + +"Then do call me up and tell me everything you hear," said Mrs. Norman +eagerly, "and I will call you. Thank Heaven, there are two of us with +conscience enough to block the Christys' social pathway!" + +During the week preceding the much talked of function, one heard it on +every hand. Some said the prizes alone mounted up into the hundreds; +others announced that the decorations were to be the floral marvel of +the season; two reporters had been permitted to view Mrs. Christy's gown +and wrote exhaustive descriptions on this monument to the Parisian art. + +Mrs. Norman and Ethel Danielson had frequent long gossips over the +telephone, relating each fresh item and exulting that they, at least, +had not lost their heads. + +"Elise Thayer says she shall not go if we don't," called Mrs. Norman +with great satisfaction; "I have talked to her very seriously about it +and told her it was her duty to the rest of us to stay away, and she +says she will. No, I haven't sent regrets yet--I shall wait until the +last moment and be as nasty as I can," and Mrs. Norman gave a rippling +laugh. + +At last the eventful day of the great bridge party came and among the +early arriving guests was Mrs. Norman. She glanced around her, noting +critically every detail of the luxurious house with its exquisite +appointments. Of course Ethel Danielson and Elise Thayer would hear that +she had come and be furious, but she was well prepared with explanations +when next she should meet them. She had planned it all very carefully. + +She was sweeping down the staircase to greet her hostess when she +suddenly stopped aghast! From opposite directions--entirely unconscious +of the other's approach--came Ethel Danielson and Elise Thayer. There +was no avoiding the collision at the foot of the stairs and the three +women were brought abruptly face to face. + +[Illustration: "_There was no avoiding the collision at the foot of the +stairs and the three women were brought abruptly face to face._"] + +"Mrs. Danielson!" + +"Elise Thayer!" + +"My dear Mrs. Norman!" + +Mrs. Norman was the first to speak. She was the only one who had had the +opportunity to summon her story to her tongue's end. She began glibly +and with nervous haste: + +"My dears, I positively had to come! Reggie would have it so. He and Mr. +Christy are mixed up in some financial operations, and he said it was +policy: I'm perfectly mortified to be here!" + +Nevertheless, she glanced about her in most interested scrutiny. + +"It was a pure and simple case of money with me," announced Ethel +Danielson, with suave frankness. "My furs are not paid for, and the +bills for my Palm Beach gowns are pouring in. These trades people are so +loathsomely prompt with their bills and so maddeningly slow every other +way! I wish they would reverse it. So I came to see if I could not get +something out of it--that's between us. If I draw any decent partners I +ought to, for I generally have good luck." + +"Now, Elise, you see we were each forced into coming," said Mrs. Norman +accusingly, "for goodness sake, why did you come?" + +"Well, I considered it carefully. The Christys are bound to get in--if +not now, later! They have come to stay, and they will hammer away, with +their millions behind them, until they're in. What's the use of standing +out against it? They will only snub me by and by," returned Elise Thayer +with defiant truthfulness. + +Mrs. Norman colored and looked uneasily at Ethel Danielson. + +Mrs. Danielson eyed Mrs. Norman uncomfortably. Each seemed to hear a +fearless echo of her own secret reasoning. + +"Besides," continued Elise, smiling honestly, "you know you each meant +to come all the time, only you won't admit it." + +For an instant there was an awkward pause, then Mrs. Norman laughed in +chagrined amusement. + +"Well, we won't discuss it now," she said; "run along up and leave your +wraps--both of you--and I'll wait for you. We will go in together." + +A few seconds later they were approaching their hostess with +outstretched hands. + +"My dear Mrs. Christy," cooed Mrs. Norman, "so good of you to include me +among your guests! I know how many friends you have and one can't invite +them all." + +Mrs. Christy took the extended hand murmuring: + +"So nice of you to come with your chaos of engagements! Mrs. Danielson, +too!" + +"I was delighted to have you think of me, Mrs. Christy," Mrs. Danielson +returned effusively, "and you may be sure yours was the only invitation +I considered for this afternoon--I let all the others go." + +Elise Thayer followed with: + +"Mrs. Christy, I've so anticipated to-day! I adore bridge and to have +the pleasure of being one of your guests made it additionally +delightful." + +The three moved on and glanced over the rapidly crowding rooms. + +"Really," whispered Mrs. Norman, "everybody is here. I'm amazed! There +are the Baring De Wolfs and the Wilson Delafields and Mrs. Morgan +Knickerbocker. You know how exclusive they are! And there is Mrs. Cecil +Jerome! I saw her yesterday and she never said a word about coming." + +"Let's go and speak to her a moment before they sit down to play," +suggested Ethel Danielson. + +As they drifted in and out of the gathering assembly, varied snatches of +conversation reached them: + +"Beautiful house, isn't it?" + +"Yes, but overloaded--like the owner's hats! She is awfully bothered +about getting hats, she told me, and recently a French milliner begged +to see 'WHAT SHE COULD DO WITH HER.' Judging from the hat Mrs. Christy +wore at the St. Regis the other day, I guess the woman found out! Any +milliner who can get a patron to step out of the solitude of her boudoir +in such a concoction must have convinced herself that she can do +ANYTHING with her!" + +"I don't think much of her gown," murmured another, "hideously +unbecoming!" + +"I hope we shall not run into any of those people who 'TAKE A HAND JUST +TO ACCOMMODATE!'" chimed another. "I think there ought to be a law +prohibiting women who haven't taken lessons in the game, going to +parties and helping lose other people's money for them." + +"I hate to play with either of those Hartwells--they simply blow your +head off after every hand; they haven't any manners!" put in a blond in +a creation of blue chiffon and silver. + +"That girl in white over there ought to be ruled out!" said another +guest. "She is that artist visiting the Hollingsworths. She made it +HEARTS when I played with her once, 'so to lose as little as possible,' +she said." + +The calling of the game cut short further comments. + +The company was seated, the hands dealt, and the great bridge party was +at last really under way. + +"Are they starting? I hope people won't talk--I don't think it's fair. +Is it my make? I haven't a thing! I'll pass it. CLUBS! Heavens! I could +have done better than that myself! What on earth did you have in your +hand? I don't care what Elwell says--I don't think that's enough; of +course we couldn't make it on that hand! It seems a shame to THROW +points away. I am NOT angry--do you think I mind a few dollars? it's +only so unnecessary! How many hands do we have to play with each +partner? I never said I wanted to get rid of you. No, it's NOT the same +thing--I simply asked!" + +So the game went on! + +Flushed cheeks and glistening eyes were the only indications that much +was at stake; social veneer concealed the real anxiety of the players, +but a hush of nervous tension pervaded the room. It was a relief when +the last hand was concluded. Everyone crowded around the table where the +beautiful prizes were displayed and where the scores were read. + +"You don't mean to tell me that that girl who came with the +Hollingsworths and can't play at all, has first choice!" whispered Mrs. +Norman. + +"A case of fool's luck, I guess," replied Mrs. Danielson, "let's see +what she takes." + +"LOOK! She's going to take that Tiffany glass vase when she might have +had that diamond bracelet--probably thinks they are rhinestones!" burst +out Elise Thayer. + +"Prizes never go to the best players," said Mrs. Cecil Jerome in +disgust. "It is never really fair." + +Mrs. Cecil Jerome was conceded to be one of the "best players." + +After the prizes had been duly admired and the winners congratulated, +the throng of exquisitely gowned women flocked about the little gilt +tables in the dining-room, chatting eagerly and comparing scores. + +[Illustration: "_The throng of exquisitely gowned women flocked about +the little gilt tables in the dining-room._"] + +Mrs. Christy flitted among her guests with a smile and cordial word for +each, but to some favored few she devoted her especial attention. She +stopped beside one group in the corner of the dining-room more than +once. + +"Your dining-room is so attractive, Mrs. Christy," said Mrs. Norman, as +her hostess sat down beside her for an instant. + +"It is good of you to say so--you do things so exquisitely yourself that +I'm quite afraid of YOU," returned Mrs. Christy with disarming +frankness. + +She glanced at Miss Thayer, Mrs. Danielson and Mrs. Cecil Jerome, who +were also at the table. + +"You clever people," she went on, "must be my guides, for New York is +rather new to me--we have lived West so much. You are all such +authorities on social matters that I shall have to depend on you for +many things. You'll help me, won't you?" + +What women could resist such delicate flattery? + +The four smiled graciously. + +"Tell me, Mrs. Danielson," Mrs. Christy continued, "are you going to +Newport this summer--or haven't you decided?" + +"Oh, we've decided! We've rented our house and we intend to spend the +summer in Switzerland and the Tyrol," answered Mrs. Danielson. "What are +you going to do, Mrs. Christy?" + +"Jack and I expect to take an automobile trip through England and +Scotland--if he can get away," returned Mrs. Christy, "and by the way, +what do you all do with your houses through the summer months? That is +bothering me now! Do you leave your servants in them all summer?" + +"Oh, no," exclaimed Mrs. Danielson hastily, "we have had such frightful +experiences doing that! One summer we had fine servants and we wanted to +hold on to them so we kept them in the house all the time we were gone +and we hadn't been back any time at all before they left in a body! So +pleasant to feel you'd only been giving a house-party for them!" she +concluded sarcastically. + +"Why my dear, our servants had a dance in our house!" put in Mrs. +Norman. + +"I always put a care-taker in ours," said Miss Thayer. + +"Don't have a care-taker!" burst out Mrs. Cecil Jerome. "While our +care-taker was living in the basement, burglars got through our scuttle +and robbed all the upper part of the house!" + +"You make a great mistake," said Mrs. Danielson. + +"Don't you know about the Holmes Company? They have wired our house +every year since that experience with our servants--why, it's ten years +now! It is the only way to leave your house during the summer." I heard +the other day, said a handsome woman joining the group, "that, that +company had opened offices of their own all through the city this year +and they will not hereafter connect houses with the District Telegraph +offices, so you see their service is going to be a hundred per cent. +better than it has ever been before." + +"You better wire your house, Mrs. Christy," said Mrs. Danielson, "you'll +feel perfectly safe then. An awfully funny thing happened to me when +ours was first done! Mr. Danielson neglected to have my signature on the +coupon and I came up from Newport and couldn't get into my own house! I +was raging at the time, but when I thought it over afterward it +convinced me how secure the protection is." + +"Was it really true that your care-taker took boarders in your house +while you were in Europe a few years ago," asked Mrs. Norman, turning to +a newcomer who had joined them. + +"Yes, we had it wired the minute we found it out. It put a stop to that +sort of thing!" returned the woman emphatically. + +"I never heard of such things!" gasped Mrs. Christy. + +"I didn't know they would dare!" + +"Dare? They dare anything!" snapped a tall girl in green. + +"Well, I shall have it wired the instant we go," said Mrs. Christy +conclusively. "I did not know there was any company who did that sort of +thing. I am perfectly relieved to solve the problem!" + +She went on into the drawing-room and the groups of guests at the tables +gradually broke up and followed making their adieux. + +The instant Mrs. Reginald Norman reached home she called Mrs. Danielson +up on the telephone. + +"What did you think of it, Ethel?" she asked eagerly. + +"It was a lovely party! All in such good taste, didn't you think so?" +returned Ethel Danielson. "Mrs. Christy, too, made a much better +appearance than I expected. She has a good deal of SAVOIR FAIRE +already!" + +"Yes, and she'll gain more as time goes on," replied Mrs. Norman. "How +do you suppose she ever got the Schermerhorn's and the De Witts there." + +"I can't imagine and it doesn't make much difference now, how she did +it! I got my furs paid for which pleased me into the ground. Wouldn't we +have been idiots to stay away? We should never have forgiven ourselves +for from now on, Mrs. Christy is unquestionably IN SOCIETY. She has +'bridged it' in more senses than one!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY*** + + +******* This file should be named 23973-8.txt or 23973-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Mrs. Christy's Bridge Party</p> +<p>Author: Sara Ware Bassett</p> +<p>Release Date: December 22, 2007 [eBook #23973]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by<br /> + the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/i004.jpg"><img src="images/i004.jpg" alt=""/></a> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1>MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY</h1> + +<h2>By <span class="smcap">Sara Ware Bassett</span></h2> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h3>Copyright, 1907,<br /> +By Sara Ware Bassett.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i003" id="i003"></a> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"Mrs. Christy."</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Mrs. Reginald Norman walked into Sherry's and sank down at a small table +with the calm assurance of one conscious of being both beautiful and +perfectly gowned. There were no defects for the critical world to take +up and magnify. Her gown fitted flawlessly, was built by the highest +court of appeal on Parisian fashions, and suited her to perfection.</p> + +<p>There is nothing like such a latent consciousness to impart poise to the +wearer. Dainty little Ethel Danielson followed, dropping into the +opposite chair.</p> + +<p>"It was awfully nice of you to set this time for me to meet and lunch +with you," said Mrs. Danielson, leisurely drawing off her long gloves. +"Really, if you do not set definite hours you never see your friends at +all; this last whirl before Lent has been frightful, hasn't it? I'm worn +to a shred!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall be glad of a rest. You must go to things—if for no other +reason than to prove you are asked. I haven't seen any of my family for +over a week. I saw your husband a moment or two at the Opera last night +with the Goodhue Livingstons," returned Mrs. Norman, as she loosened her +veil.</p> + +<p>"Oh, did you? Poor Harry—how was he? He has been having the grip or +something, his valet told me a couple of days ago," answered Mrs. +Danielson carelessly. "Well, my dear, to change the subject—are you +going to the Christy's bridge party? I'm simply dying of curiosity to +know! I thought of you the minute I opened the cards and wondered what +you would do—you have said so much about them."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention bridge to me!" burst out Mrs. Norman emphatically. "Look +at my hair—did you ever behold such a vision in your life? The +parlor-maid did it, after much persuasion and an ample tip. I'm +perfectly discouraged—Therése has gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone? That maid you brought from Paris! Why you told me that nothing +but fire or the sword would separate you from that girl," ejaculated +Mrs. Danielson in surprise; "wasn't she satisfactory after all?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly satisfactory—perfectly, my love. I never had a maid who so +thoroughly understood my style and what I could and could not wear. I +was forced to let her go; every one of the eleven servants would have +left. The housekeeper told me it was policy to dismiss her," said Mrs. +Norman, thrusting her fork into a soft shell crab with great vehemence.</p> + +<p>"Might one ask why they objected to her? Certainly, her nationality +wasn't a ground for such a demand, for half your servants are French, +aren't they?" questioned Mrs. Danielson with much interest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it wasn't that. She didn't play bridge! She just made the twelfth +one, and her not playing spoiled the third table—they would not have +her," explained Mrs. Norman dubiously.</p> + +<p>"What are we coming to!" Mrs. Danielson exclaimed in despair; "I don't +wonder you're discouraged—you have to be so careful how you are gotten +up. You look so stunning in some things and so—well, you +understand—one must study one's style! Now tell me, what are you going +to do about the Christy's bridge? Everyone is wild over it! I've heard +nothing else for days—it's to be quite the event of the season. Shall +you go?"</p> + +<p>"No. I have thought it all out. It seems to me some of us must take a +stand. If we accept invitations from the Christys' why the harm is +done—they will be in society before we know it! There are enough queer +people in our set already without adding them. I shall not go!" Mrs. +Norman drew herself up haughtily.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I think," echoed Ethel Danielson; "we must, as you +say, take some definite position in the matter. If we stand out I am +sure others will. The Christys are simply dying to get in, and they have +loads of money to back them. What was it—blacking? Something +disagreeable, I remember."</p> + +<p>"No, ink! Just as black and disgusting. They've squandered hundreds on +this bridge party; all the prizes were bought abroad, I hear, and +Kathryn Van Rensselaer told me there were to be fifty tables," continued +Mrs. Norman.</p> + +<p>"It will be one of those horribly vulgar affairs with five times as much +of everything as there is any need of, I suppose," rejoined Ethel +scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I hear that ballroom is the most magnificent in New +York—done entirely by Garten-Veen."</p> + +<p>"Well, we shall at least hear about it," sighed Mrs. Norman, with a +slight tinge of regret in her tone, "we'll telephone—you have one of +course!"</p> + +<p>"Have a telephone? Well, I should say! One might as well be out of the +world as try to live without one. Everyone has one now," answered Mrs. +Danielson with a shrug.</p> + +<p>"Then do call me up and tell me everything you hear," said Mrs. Norman +eagerly, "and I will call you. Thank Heaven, there are two of us with +conscience enough to block the Christys' social pathway!"</p> + +<p>During the week preceding the much talked of function, one heard it on +every hand. Some said the prizes alone mounted up into the hundreds; +others announced that the decorations were to be the floral marvel of +the season; two reporters had been permitted to view Mrs. Christy's gown +and wrote exhaustive descriptions on this monument to the Parisian art.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Norman and Ethel Danielson had frequent long gossips over the +telephone, relating each fresh item and exulting that they, at least, +had not lost their heads.</p> + +<p>"Elise Thayer says she shall not go if we don't," called Mrs. Norman +with great satisfaction; "I have talked to her very seriously about it +and told her it was her duty to the rest of us to stay away, and she +says she will. No, I haven't sent regrets yet—I shall wait until the +last moment and be as nasty as I can," and Mrs. Norman gave a rippling +laugh.</p> + +<p>At last the eventful day of the great bridge party came and among the +early arriving guests was Mrs. Norman. She glanced around her, noting +critically every detail of the luxurious house with its exquisite +appointments. Of course Ethel Danielson and Elise Thayer would hear that +she had come and be furious, but she was well prepared with explanations +when next she should meet them. She had planned it all very carefully.</p> + +<p>She was sweeping down the staircase to greet her hostess when she +suddenly stopped aghast! From opposite directions—entirely unconscious +of the other's approach—came Ethel Danielson and Elise Thayer. There +was no avoiding the collision at the foot of the stairs and the three +women were brought abruptly face to face.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i016" id="i016"></a> +<img src="images/i016.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"<i>There was no avoiding the collision at the foot of the +stairs and the three women were brought abruptly face to face.</i>"</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<p>"Mrs. Danielson!"</p> + +<p>"Elise Thayer!"</p> + +<p>"My dear Mrs. Norman!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Norman was the first to speak. She was the only one who had had the +opportunity to summon her story to her tongue's end. She began glibly +and with nervous haste:</p> + +<p>"My dears, I positively had to come! Reggie would have it so. He and Mr. +Christy are mixed up in some financial operations, and he said it was +policy: I'm perfectly mortified to be here!"</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, she glanced about her in most interested scrutiny.</p> + +<p>"It was a pure and simple case of money with me," announced Ethel +Danielson, with suave frankness. "My furs are not paid for, and the +bills for my Palm Beach gowns are pouring in. These trades people are so +loathsomely prompt with their bills and so maddeningly slow every other +way! I wish they would reverse it. So I came to see if I could not get +something out of it—that's between us. If I draw any decent partners I +ought to, for I generally have good luck."</p> + +<p>"Now, Elise, you see we were each forced into coming," said Mrs. Norman +accusingly, "for goodness sake, why did you come?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I considered it carefully. The Christys are bound to get in—if +not now, later! They have come to stay, and they will hammer away, with +their millions behind them, until they're in. What's the use of standing +out against it? They will only snub me by and by," returned Elise Thayer +with defiant truthfulness.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Norman colored and looked uneasily at Ethel Danielson.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Danielson eyed Mrs. Norman uncomfortably. Each seemed to hear a +fearless echo of her own secret reasoning.</p> + +<p>"Besides," continued Elise, smiling honestly, "you know you each meant +to come all the time, only you won't admit it."</p> + +<p>For an instant there was an awkward pause, then Mrs. Norman laughed in +chagrined amusement.</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't discuss it now," she said; "run along up and leave your +wraps—both of you—and I'll wait for you. We will go in together."</p> + +<p>A few seconds later they were approaching their hostess with +outstretched hands.</p> + +<p>"My dear Mrs. Christy," cooed Mrs. Norman, "so good of you to include me +among your guests! I know how many friends you have and one can't invite +them all."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Christy took the extended hand murmuring:</p> + +<p>"So nice of you to come with your chaos of engagements! Mrs. Danielson, +too!"</p> + +<p>"I was delighted to have you think of me, Mrs. Christy," Mrs. Danielson +returned effusively, "and you may be sure yours was the only invitation +I considered for this afternoon—I let all the others go."</p> + +<p>Elise Thayer followed with:</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Christy, I've so anticipated to-day! I adore bridge and to have +the pleasure of being one of your guests made it additionally +delightful."</p> + +<p>The three moved on and glanced over the rapidly crowding rooms.</p> + +<p>"Really," whispered Mrs. Norman, "everybody is here. I'm amazed! There +are the Baring De Wolfs and the Wilson Delafields and Mrs. Morgan +Knickerbocker. You know how exclusive they are! And there is Mrs. Cecil +Jerome! I saw her yesterday and she never said a word about coming."</p> + +<p>"Let's go and speak to her a moment before they sit down to play," +suggested Ethel Danielson.</p> + +<p>As they drifted in and out of the gathering assembly, varied snatches of +conversation reached them:</p> + +<p>"Beautiful house, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but overloaded—like the owner's hats! She is awfully bothered +about getting hats, she told me, and recently a French milliner begged +to see '<b>what she could do with her</b>.' Judging from the hat Mrs. Christy +wore at the St. Regis the other day, I guess the woman found out! Any +milliner who can get a patron to step out of the solitude of her boudoir +in such a concoction must have convinced herself that she can do +<b>anything</b> with her!"</p> + +<p>"I don't think much of her gown," murmured another, "hideously +unbecoming!"</p> + +<p>"I hope we shall not run into any of those people who '<b>take a hand just +to accommodate</b>!'" chimed another. "I think there ought to be a law +prohibiting women who haven't taken lessons in the game, going to +parties and helping lose other people's money for them."</p> + +<p>"I hate to play with either of those Hartwells—they simply blow your +head off after every hand; they haven't any manners!" put in a blond in +a creation of blue chiffon and silver.</p> + +<p>"That girl in white over there ought to be ruled out!" said another +guest. "She is that artist visiting the Hollingsworths. She made it +<b>hearts</b> when I played with her once, 'so to lose as little as possible,' +she said."</p> + +<p>The calling of the game cut short further comments.</p> + +<p>The company was seated, the hands dealt, and the great bridge party was +at last really under way.</p> + +<p>"Are they starting? I hope people won't talk—I don't think it's fair. +Is it my make? I haven't a thing! I'll pass it. <b>Clubs!</b> Heavens! I could +have done better than that myself! What on earth did you have in your +hand? I don't care what Elwell says—I don't think that's enough; of +course we couldn't make it on that hand! It seems a shame to <b>throw</b> +points away. I am <b>not</b> angry—do you think I mind a few dollars? it's +only so unnecessary! How many hands do we have to play with each +partner? I never said I wanted to get rid of you. No, it's <b>not</b> the same +thing—I simply asked!"</p> + +<p>So the game went on!</p> + +<p>Flushed cheeks and glistening eyes were the only indications that much +was at stake; social veneer concealed the real anxiety of the players, +but a hush of nervous tension pervaded the room. It was a relief when +the last hand was concluded. Everyone crowded around the table where the +beautiful prizes were displayed and where the scores were read.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to tell me that that girl who came with the +Hollingsworths and can't play at all, has first choice!" whispered Mrs. +Norman.</p> + +<p>"A case of fool's luck, I guess," replied Mrs. Danielson, "let's see +what she takes."</p> + +<p>"<b>Look!</b> She's going to take that Tiffany glass vase when she might have +had that diamond bracelet—probably thinks they are rhinestones!" burst +out Elise Thayer.</p> + +<p>"Prizes never go to the best players," said Mrs. Cecil Jerome in +disgust. "It is never really fair."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cecil Jerome was conceded to be one of the "best players."</p> + +<p>After the prizes had been duly admired and the winners congratulated, +the throng of exquisitely gowned women flocked about the little gilt +tables in the dining-room, chatting eagerly and comparing scores.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i027" id="i027"></a> +<img src="images/i027.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"<i>The throng of exquisitely gowned women flocked about +the little gilt tables in the dining-room.</i>"</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p>Mrs. Christy flitted among her guests with a smile and cordial word for +each, but to some favored few she devoted her especial attention. She +stopped beside one group in the corner of the dining-room more than +once.</p> + +<p>"Your dining-room is so attractive, Mrs. Christy," said Mrs. Norman, as +her hostess sat down beside her for an instant.</p> + +<p>"It is good of you to say so—you do things so exquisitely yourself that +I'm quite afraid of <b>you</b>," returned Mrs. Christy with disarming +frankness.</p> + +<p>She glanced at Miss Thayer, Mrs. Danielson and Mrs. Cecil Jerome, who +were also at the table.</p> + +<p>"You clever people," she went on, "must be my guides, for New York is +rather new to me—we have lived West so much. You are all such +authorities on social matters that I shall have to depend on you for +many things. You'll help me, won't you?"</p> + +<p>What women could resist such delicate flattery?</p> + +<p>The four smiled graciously.</p> + +<p>"Tell me, Mrs. Danielson," Mrs. Christy continued, "are you going to +Newport this summer—or haven't you decided?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we've decided! We've rented our house and we intend to spend the +summer in Switzerland and the Tyrol," answered Mrs. Danielson. "What are +you going to do, Mrs. Christy?"</p> + +<p>"Jack and I expect to take an automobile trip through England and +Scotland—if he can get away," returned Mrs. Christy, "and by the way, +what do you all do with your houses through the summer months? That is +bothering me now! Do you leave your servants in them all summer?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," exclaimed Mrs. Danielson hastily, "we have had such frightful +experiences doing that! One summer we had fine servants and we wanted to +hold on to them so we kept them in the house all the time we were gone +and we hadn't been back any time at all before they left in a body! So +pleasant to feel you'd only been giving a house-party for them!" she +concluded sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"Why my dear, our servants had a dance in our house!" put in Mrs. +Norman.</p> + +<p>"I always put a care-taker in ours," said Miss Thayer.</p> + +<p>"Don't have a care-taker!" burst out Mrs. Cecil Jerome. "While our +care-taker was living in the basement, burglars got through our scuttle +and robbed all the upper part of the house!"</p> + +<p>"You make a great mistake," said Mrs. Danielson.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know about the Holmes Company? They have wired our house +every year since that experience with our servants—why, it's ten years +now! It is the only way to leave your house during the summer." I heard +the other day, said a handsome woman joining the group, "that, that +company had opened offices of their own all through the city this year +and they will not hereafter connect houses with the District Telegraph +offices, so you see their service is going to be a hundred per cent. +better than it has ever been before."</p> + +<p>"You better wire your house, Mrs. Christy," said Mrs. Danielson, "you'll +feel perfectly safe then. An awfully funny thing happened to me when +ours was first done! Mr. Danielson neglected to have my signature on the +coupon and I came up from Newport and couldn't get into my own house! I +was raging at the time, but when I thought it over afterward it +convinced me how secure the protection is."</p> + +<p>"Was it really true that your care-taker took boarders in your house +while you were in Europe a few years ago," asked Mrs. Norman, turning to +a newcomer who had joined them.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we had it wired the minute we found it out. It put a stop to that +sort of thing!" returned the woman emphatically.</p> + +<p>"I never heard of such things!" gasped Mrs. Christy.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know they would dare!"</p> + +<p>"Dare? They dare anything!" snapped a tall girl in green.</p> + +<p>"Well, I shall have it wired the instant we go," said Mrs. Christy +conclusively. "I did not know there was any company who did that sort of +thing. I am perfectly relieved to solve the problem!"</p> + +<p>She went on into the drawing-room and the groups of guests at the tables +gradually broke up and followed making their adieux.</p> + +<p>The instant Mrs. Reginald Norman reached home she called Mrs. Danielson +up on the telephone.</p> + +<p>"What did you think of it, Ethel?" she asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It was a lovely party! All in such good taste, didn't you think so?" +returned Ethel Danielson. "Mrs. Christy, too, made a much better +appearance than I expected. She has a good deal of <b>savoir faire</b> +already!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and she'll gain more as time goes on," replied Mrs. Norman. "How +do you suppose she ever got the Schermerhorn's and the De Witts there."</p> + +<p>"I can't imagine and it doesn't make much difference now, how she did +it! I got my furs paid for which pleased me into the ground. Wouldn't we +have been idiots to stay away? We should never have forgiven ourselves +for from now on, Mrs. Christy is unquestionably <b>in society</b>. She has +'bridged it' in more senses than one!"</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 23973-h.txt or 23973-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/9/7/23973</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Mrs. Christy's Bridge Party + + +Author: Sara Ware Bassett + + + +Release Date: December 22, 2007 [eBook #23973] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY*** + + +E-text prepared by the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading +Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 23973-h.htm or 23973-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973/23973-h/23973-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973/23973-h.zip) + + + + + +MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY + +by + +SARA WARE BASSETT + + + + + + + +Copyright, 1907 +by Sara Ware Bassett + + +[Illustration: "Mrs. Christy."] + + + + +Mrs. Reginald Norman walked into Sherry's and sank down at a small table +with the calm assurance of one conscious of being both beautiful and +perfectly gowned. There were no defects for the critical world to take +up and magnify. Her gown fitted flawlessly, was built by the highest +court of appeal on Parisian fashions, and suited her to perfection. + +There is nothing like such a latent consciousness to impart poise to the +wearer. Dainty little Ethel Danielson followed, dropping into the +opposite chair. + +"It was awfully nice of you to set this time for me to meet and lunch +with you," said Mrs. Danielson, leisurely drawing off her long gloves. +"Really, if you do not set definite hours you never see your friends at +all; this last whirl before Lent has been frightful, hasn't it? I'm worn +to a shred!" + +"Yes, I shall be glad of a rest. You must go to things--if for no other +reason than to prove you are asked. I haven't seen any of my family for +over a week. I saw your husband a moment or two at the Opera last night +with the Goodhue Livingstons," returned Mrs. Norman, as she loosened her +veil. + +"Oh, did you? Poor Harry--how was he? He has been having the grip or +something, his valet told me a couple of days ago," answered Mrs. +Danielson carelessly. "Well, my dear, to change the subject--are you +going to the Christy's bridge party? I'm simply dying of curiosity to +know! I thought of you the minute I opened the cards and wondered what +you would do--you have said so much about them." + +"Don't mention bridge to me!" burst out Mrs. Norman emphatically. "Look +at my hair--did you ever behold such a vision in your life? The +parlor-maid did it, after much persuasion and an ample tip. I'm +perfectly discouraged--Therese has gone!" + +"Gone? That maid you brought from Paris! Why you told me that nothing +but fire or the sword would separate you from that girl," ejaculated +Mrs. Danielson in surprise; "wasn't she satisfactory after all?" + +"Perfectly satisfactory--perfectly, my love. I never had a maid who so +thoroughly understood my style and what I could and could not wear. I +was forced to let her go; every one of the eleven servants would have +left. The housekeeper told me it was policy to dismiss her," said Mrs. +Norman, thrusting her fork into a soft shell crab with great vehemence. + +"Might one ask why they objected to her? Certainly, her nationality +wasn't a ground for such a demand, for half your servants are French, +aren't they?" questioned Mrs. Danielson with much interest. + +"Oh, it wasn't that. She didn't play bridge! She just made the twelfth +one, and her not playing spoiled the third table--they would not have +her," explained Mrs. Norman dubiously. + +"What are we coming to!" Mrs. Danielson exclaimed in despair; "I don't +wonder you're discouraged--you have to be so careful how you are gotten +up. You look so stunning in some things and so--well, you +understand--one must study one's style! Now tell me, what are you going +to do about the Christy's bridge? Everyone is wild over it! I've heard +nothing else for days--it's to be quite the event of the season. Shall +you go?" + +"No. I have thought it all out. It seems to me some of us must take a +stand. If we accept invitations from the Christys' why the harm is +done--they will be in society before we know it! There are enough queer +people in our set already without adding them. I shall not go!" Mrs. +Norman drew herself up haughtily. + +"That's just what I think," echoed Ethel Danielson; "we must, as you +say, take some definite position in the matter. If we stand out I am +sure others will. The Christys are simply dying to get in, and they have +loads of money to back them. What was it--blacking? Something +disagreeable, I remember." + +"No, ink! Just as black and disgusting. They've squandered hundreds on +this bridge party; all the prizes were bought abroad, I hear, and +Kathryn Van Rensselaer told me there were to be fifty tables," continued +Mrs. Norman. + +"It will be one of those horribly vulgar affairs with five times as much +of everything as there is any need of, I suppose," rejoined Ethel +scornfully. + +"Do you know, I hear that ballroom is the most magnificent in New +York--done entirely by Garten-Veen." + +"Well, we shall at least hear about it," sighed Mrs. Norman, with a +slight tinge of regret in her tone, "we'll telephone--you have one of +course!" + +"Have a telephone? Well, I should say! One might as well be out of the +world as try to live without one. Everyone has one now," answered Mrs. +Danielson with a shrug. + +"Then do call me up and tell me everything you hear," said Mrs. Norman +eagerly, "and I will call you. Thank Heaven, there are two of us with +conscience enough to block the Christys' social pathway!" + +During the week preceding the much talked of function, one heard it on +every hand. Some said the prizes alone mounted up into the hundreds; +others announced that the decorations were to be the floral marvel of +the season; two reporters had been permitted to view Mrs. Christy's gown +and wrote exhaustive descriptions on this monument to the Parisian art. + +Mrs. Norman and Ethel Danielson had frequent long gossips over the +telephone, relating each fresh item and exulting that they, at least, +had not lost their heads. + +"Elise Thayer says she shall not go if we don't," called Mrs. Norman +with great satisfaction; "I have talked to her very seriously about it +and told her it was her duty to the rest of us to stay away, and she +says she will. No, I haven't sent regrets yet--I shall wait until the +last moment and be as nasty as I can," and Mrs. Norman gave a rippling +laugh. + +At last the eventful day of the great bridge party came and among the +early arriving guests was Mrs. Norman. She glanced around her, noting +critically every detail of the luxurious house with its exquisite +appointments. Of course Ethel Danielson and Elise Thayer would hear that +she had come and be furious, but she was well prepared with explanations +when next she should meet them. She had planned it all very carefully. + +She was sweeping down the staircase to greet her hostess when she +suddenly stopped aghast! From opposite directions--entirely unconscious +of the other's approach--came Ethel Danielson and Elise Thayer. There +was no avoiding the collision at the foot of the stairs and the three +women were brought abruptly face to face. + +[Illustration: "_There was no avoiding the collision at the foot of the +stairs and the three women were brought abruptly face to face._"] + +"Mrs. Danielson!" + +"Elise Thayer!" + +"My dear Mrs. Norman!" + +Mrs. Norman was the first to speak. She was the only one who had had the +opportunity to summon her story to her tongue's end. She began glibly +and with nervous haste: + +"My dears, I positively had to come! Reggie would have it so. He and Mr. +Christy are mixed up in some financial operations, and he said it was +policy: I'm perfectly mortified to be here!" + +Nevertheless, she glanced about her in most interested scrutiny. + +"It was a pure and simple case of money with me," announced Ethel +Danielson, with suave frankness. "My furs are not paid for, and the +bills for my Palm Beach gowns are pouring in. These trades people are so +loathsomely prompt with their bills and so maddeningly slow every other +way! I wish they would reverse it. So I came to see if I could not get +something out of it--that's between us. If I draw any decent partners I +ought to, for I generally have good luck." + +"Now, Elise, you see we were each forced into coming," said Mrs. Norman +accusingly, "for goodness sake, why did you come?" + +"Well, I considered it carefully. The Christys are bound to get in--if +not now, later! They have come to stay, and they will hammer away, with +their millions behind them, until they're in. What's the use of standing +out against it? They will only snub me by and by," returned Elise Thayer +with defiant truthfulness. + +Mrs. Norman colored and looked uneasily at Ethel Danielson. + +Mrs. Danielson eyed Mrs. Norman uncomfortably. Each seemed to hear a +fearless echo of her own secret reasoning. + +"Besides," continued Elise, smiling honestly, "you know you each meant +to come all the time, only you won't admit it." + +For an instant there was an awkward pause, then Mrs. Norman laughed in +chagrined amusement. + +"Well, we won't discuss it now," she said; "run along up and leave your +wraps--both of you--and I'll wait for you. We will go in together." + +A few seconds later they were approaching their hostess with +outstretched hands. + +"My dear Mrs. Christy," cooed Mrs. Norman, "so good of you to include me +among your guests! I know how many friends you have and one can't invite +them all." + +Mrs. Christy took the extended hand murmuring: + +"So nice of you to come with your chaos of engagements! Mrs. Danielson, +too!" + +"I was delighted to have you think of me, Mrs. Christy," Mrs. Danielson +returned effusively, "and you may be sure yours was the only invitation +I considered for this afternoon--I let all the others go." + +Elise Thayer followed with: + +"Mrs. Christy, I've so anticipated to-day! I adore bridge and to have +the pleasure of being one of your guests made it additionally +delightful." + +The three moved on and glanced over the rapidly crowding rooms. + +"Really," whispered Mrs. Norman, "everybody is here. I'm amazed! There +are the Baring De Wolfs and the Wilson Delafields and Mrs. Morgan +Knickerbocker. You know how exclusive they are! And there is Mrs. Cecil +Jerome! I saw her yesterday and she never said a word about coming." + +"Let's go and speak to her a moment before they sit down to play," +suggested Ethel Danielson. + +As they drifted in and out of the gathering assembly, varied snatches of +conversation reached them: + +"Beautiful house, isn't it?" + +"Yes, but overloaded--like the owner's hats! She is awfully bothered +about getting hats, she told me, and recently a French milliner begged +to see 'WHAT SHE COULD DO WITH HER.' Judging from the hat Mrs. Christy +wore at the St. Regis the other day, I guess the woman found out! Any +milliner who can get a patron to step out of the solitude of her boudoir +in such a concoction must have convinced herself that she can do +ANYTHING with her!" + +"I don't think much of her gown," murmured another, "hideously +unbecoming!" + +"I hope we shall not run into any of those people who 'TAKE A HAND JUST +TO ACCOMMODATE!'" chimed another. "I think there ought to be a law +prohibiting women who haven't taken lessons in the game, going to +parties and helping lose other people's money for them." + +"I hate to play with either of those Hartwells--they simply blow your +head off after every hand; they haven't any manners!" put in a blond in +a creation of blue chiffon and silver. + +"That girl in white over there ought to be ruled out!" said another +guest. "She is that artist visiting the Hollingsworths. She made it +HEARTS when I played with her once, 'so to lose as little as possible,' +she said." + +The calling of the game cut short further comments. + +The company was seated, the hands dealt, and the great bridge party was +at last really under way. + +"Are they starting? I hope people won't talk--I don't think it's fair. +Is it my make? I haven't a thing! I'll pass it. CLUBS! Heavens! I could +have done better than that myself! What on earth did you have in your +hand? I don't care what Elwell says--I don't think that's enough; of +course we couldn't make it on that hand! It seems a shame to THROW +points away. I am NOT angry--do you think I mind a few dollars? it's +only so unnecessary! How many hands do we have to play with each +partner? I never said I wanted to get rid of you. No, it's NOT the same +thing--I simply asked!" + +So the game went on! + +Flushed cheeks and glistening eyes were the only indications that much +was at stake; social veneer concealed the real anxiety of the players, +but a hush of nervous tension pervaded the room. It was a relief when +the last hand was concluded. Everyone crowded around the table where the +beautiful prizes were displayed and where the scores were read. + +"You don't mean to tell me that that girl who came with the +Hollingsworths and can't play at all, has first choice!" whispered Mrs. +Norman. + +"A case of fool's luck, I guess," replied Mrs. Danielson, "let's see +what she takes." + +"LOOK! She's going to take that Tiffany glass vase when she might have +had that diamond bracelet--probably thinks they are rhinestones!" burst +out Elise Thayer. + +"Prizes never go to the best players," said Mrs. Cecil Jerome in +disgust. "It is never really fair." + +Mrs. Cecil Jerome was conceded to be one of the "best players." + +After the prizes had been duly admired and the winners congratulated, +the throng of exquisitely gowned women flocked about the little gilt +tables in the dining-room, chatting eagerly and comparing scores. + +[Illustration: "_The throng of exquisitely gowned women flocked about +the little gilt tables in the dining-room._"] + +Mrs. Christy flitted among her guests with a smile and cordial word for +each, but to some favored few she devoted her especial attention. She +stopped beside one group in the corner of the dining-room more than +once. + +"Your dining-room is so attractive, Mrs. Christy," said Mrs. Norman, as +her hostess sat down beside her for an instant. + +"It is good of you to say so--you do things so exquisitely yourself that +I'm quite afraid of YOU," returned Mrs. Christy with disarming +frankness. + +She glanced at Miss Thayer, Mrs. Danielson and Mrs. Cecil Jerome, who +were also at the table. + +"You clever people," she went on, "must be my guides, for New York is +rather new to me--we have lived West so much. You are all such +authorities on social matters that I shall have to depend on you for +many things. You'll help me, won't you?" + +What women could resist such delicate flattery? + +The four smiled graciously. + +"Tell me, Mrs. Danielson," Mrs. Christy continued, "are you going to +Newport this summer--or haven't you decided?" + +"Oh, we've decided! We've rented our house and we intend to spend the +summer in Switzerland and the Tyrol," answered Mrs. Danielson. "What are +you going to do, Mrs. Christy?" + +"Jack and I expect to take an automobile trip through England and +Scotland--if he can get away," returned Mrs. Christy, "and by the way, +what do you all do with your houses through the summer months? That is +bothering me now! Do you leave your servants in them all summer?" + +"Oh, no," exclaimed Mrs. Danielson hastily, "we have had such frightful +experiences doing that! One summer we had fine servants and we wanted to +hold on to them so we kept them in the house all the time we were gone +and we hadn't been back any time at all before they left in a body! So +pleasant to feel you'd only been giving a house-party for them!" she +concluded sarcastically. + +"Why my dear, our servants had a dance in our house!" put in Mrs. +Norman. + +"I always put a care-taker in ours," said Miss Thayer. + +"Don't have a care-taker!" burst out Mrs. Cecil Jerome. "While our +care-taker was living in the basement, burglars got through our scuttle +and robbed all the upper part of the house!" + +"You make a great mistake," said Mrs. Danielson. + +"Don't you know about the Holmes Company? They have wired our house +every year since that experience with our servants--why, it's ten years +now! It is the only way to leave your house during the summer." I heard +the other day, said a handsome woman joining the group, "that, that +company had opened offices of their own all through the city this year +and they will not hereafter connect houses with the District Telegraph +offices, so you see their service is going to be a hundred per cent. +better than it has ever been before." + +"You better wire your house, Mrs. Christy," said Mrs. Danielson, "you'll +feel perfectly safe then. An awfully funny thing happened to me when +ours was first done! Mr. Danielson neglected to have my signature on the +coupon and I came up from Newport and couldn't get into my own house! I +was raging at the time, but when I thought it over afterward it +convinced me how secure the protection is." + +"Was it really true that your care-taker took boarders in your house +while you were in Europe a few years ago," asked Mrs. Norman, turning to +a newcomer who had joined them. + +"Yes, we had it wired the minute we found it out. It put a stop to that +sort of thing!" returned the woman emphatically. + +"I never heard of such things!" gasped Mrs. Christy. + +"I didn't know they would dare!" + +"Dare? They dare anything!" snapped a tall girl in green. + +"Well, I shall have it wired the instant we go," said Mrs. Christy +conclusively. "I did not know there was any company who did that sort of +thing. I am perfectly relieved to solve the problem!" + +She went on into the drawing-room and the groups of guests at the tables +gradually broke up and followed making their adieux. + +The instant Mrs. Reginald Norman reached home she called Mrs. Danielson +up on the telephone. + +"What did you think of it, Ethel?" she asked eagerly. + +"It was a lovely party! All in such good taste, didn't you think so?" +returned Ethel Danielson. "Mrs. Christy, too, made a much better +appearance than I expected. She has a good deal of SAVOIR FAIRE +already!" + +"Yes, and she'll gain more as time goes on," replied Mrs. Norman. "How +do you suppose she ever got the Schermerhorn's and the De Witts there." + +"I can't imagine and it doesn't make much difference now, how she did +it! I got my furs paid for which pleased me into the ground. Wouldn't we +have been idiots to stay away? We should never have forgiven ourselves +for from now on, Mrs. Christy is unquestionably IN SOCIETY. She has +'bridged it' in more senses than one!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY*** + + +******* This file should be named 23973.txt or 23973.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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