The Argosy, June 1904 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A PROBLEM IN ETIQUETTE. BY EM DE BELL. Showing how mere incidents by the way in life may loom up large in making momentous decisions. Boston, JUNE TIE TENTH. My pariine Bess: Natalie will be in New York on the tweltth—Natalie Blair. She is one of my best friends. Of course you have heard me speak of her often. I have already told her what a treasure you are, and she is a perfect dear, so 1 want you to know each other; you both are so bright, sweet, angelic, ete. Can’t you manage to call on her? She will arrive Wednesday night. You know that old train that pulls in from Wash- ineton—10:25. Will be in New York Thursday, at the Waldorf, and perhaps until Monday. Now that is a dear, do try to see cach other. My only regret is that I will not be present at the setting of two such jewels—or is it sitting? Fondly yours, MAUDE. P. S. They are sailing from here for England and will not be back before the December holidays. This is what 1 am writing about particularly—I nearly for- got—Natalie is going to have a house party and wants to invite you. Think of it, a house party in Washington at Christmas, all the ambassadors, foreign- ers, evergreens, and things! J] can scarcely wait. M. lf I had one friend that I would go greater lengths to please than an- other, it was Maude Knowlton, and if there was one young woman of whom 1 had heard more lovely things than any other, that girl was Natalie Blair. So with engagement book and pencil I sat down to cancel any affair which night prevent my calling on Maude’s friend. Thursday, Friday, Saturday—all full. After careful study and consideration i drew a dark line through an elegant automobile party, remembering the am- bassadors, and inserted—Miss Blair, Waldorf, four o’clock. This was for Thursday, the only day I felt sure she would be there. PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG I fancied I looked rather stunning that afternoon as IL gave a parting elance in the mirror. tow fortunate! My new gown could never have come at a more opportune time,and my hat— a most enchanting: dream. Candice gave my vetls—I forget how many— just the proper touch. This last performance must have taken Jonger than I realized, and I de- cided the quickest way to get to the Waldorf was to take a Broadway car to Thirty-third Street, which I did, hathng the first one that came along. The conductor was shoving people out of the back, and crowds were sur- ging ready to be jerked on. I thought I saw ny opportunity and hurried to the front platform. No sooner had I edged on than the conductor yelled out—‘ Let ’em_ off there,” and I saw a pretty, blonde young woman in a lovely blue voile making frantic efforts to get out. * Madam,” she said, “ you are on my gown.” I did not realize at first that I was the offender, but soon there was no doubt. “Madam,” she repeated in my ear, and I danced aimlessly to give her re- lease, but to no effect—I heard a ter- rible r-rip. As I stopped to see where I could stand, her beautiful parasol to match, which she was still waving at the conductor, caught in my straw cre- ation, and we were hopelessly mixed. For an instant a panic seemed immi- nent, but disinterested parties soon came to our assistance. it was an awfully warm day. The blonde was very mad, and I am sure I was far from siniling. “Step lively there,” the horrible con- ductor was screeching. ‘The blonde gave me a parting glare. IT realized that my hat was at an absurd angle and there was no time to lose. COIN — (-) TOO < S C@ = ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED