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MRS. CHRISTY'S BRIDGE PARTY
By Sara Ware Bassett
Copyright, 1907,
By Sara Ware Bassett.
"Mrs. Christy."
Mrs. Reginald Norman walked into Sherry's and sank down at a small tablewith the calm assurance of one conscious of being both beautiful andperfectly gowned. There were no defects for the critical world to takeup and magnify. Her gown fitted flawlessly, was built by the highestcourt of appeal on Parisian fashions, and suited her to perfection.
There is nothing like such a latent consciousness to impart poise to thewearer. Dainty little Ethel Danielson followed, dropping into theopposite chair.
"It was awfully nice of you to set this time for me to meet and lunchwith you," said Mrs. Danielson, leisurely drawing off her long gloves."Really, if you do not set definite hours you never see your friends atall; this last whirl before Lent has been frightful, hasn't it? I'm wornto a shred!"
"Yes, I shall be glad of a rest. You must go to things—if for no otherreason than to prove you are asked. I haven't seen any of my family forover a week. I saw your husband a moment or two at the Opera last nightwith the Goodhue Livingstons," returned Mrs. Norman, as she loosened herveil.
"Oh, did you? Poor Harry—how was he? He has been having the grip orsomething, his valet told me a couple of days ago," answered Mrs.Danielson carelessly. "Well, my dear, to change the subject—are yougoing to the Christy's bridge party? I'm simply dying of curiosity toknow! I thought of you the minute I opened the cards and wondered whatyou would do—you have said so much about them."
"Don't mention bridge to me!" burst out Mrs. Norman emphatically. "Lookat my hair—did you ever behold such a vision in your life? Theparlor-maid did it, after much persuasion and an ample tip. I'mperfectly discouraged—Therése has gone!"
"Gone? That maid you brought from Paris! Why you told me that nothingbut fire or the sword would separate you from that girl," ejaculatedMrs. Danielson in surprise; "wasn't she satisfactory after all?"
"Perfectly satisfactory—perfectly, my love. I never had a maid who sothoroughly understood my style and what I could and could not wear. Iwas forced to let her go; every one of the eleven servants would haveleft. 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 nationalitywasn'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 twelfthone, and her not playing spoiled the third table—they would not haveher," explained Mrs. Norman dubiously.
"What are we coming to!" Mrs. Danielson exclaimed in despair; "I don'twonder you're discouraged—you have to be so careful how you are gottenup. You look so stunning in some things and so—well, youunderstand—one must study one's style! Now tell me, what are you goingto do about the Christy's bridge? Everyone is wild over it! I've heard