Part 1 (1/2)
Moran of the Lady Letty
by Frank Norris
I SHANGHAIED
This is to be a story of a battle, at least one ins with a pink tea and aled odors of many delicate perfumes and the hale, frank sreat nu out” that season in San Francisob means of afternoon teas, pink, lavender, and otherwise
This particular tea was intended to celebrate the fact that Josie Herrick had arrived at that tiowns long, and to have a ”day” of her own quite distinct from that of her mother
Ross Wilbur presented himself at the Herrick house on Pacific Avenue much too early upon the afternoon of Miss Herrick's tea As he made, his way up the canvased stairs he are of a terrifying array ofstaccato chatter of feminine voices in the parlors and reception-rooh hat in the room that had been set apart for the ht have known it would be a hen party till six, anyhow,” heout of his overcoat ”Bet I don't know one girl in twenty down there now--all mamma's friends at this hour, and papa's overnesses and music-teachers, and I don't knohat all”
When he went down he found it precisely as he expected He went up to Miss Herrick, where she stood receiving with her irls, and allowed them to chaff him on his forlornness
”Maybe I seem at my ease,” said Ross Wilbur to the to run away as soon as it is decently possible, even before, unless you feed o,” said Miss Herrick ”Coive you soood, a stuffed olive I got theht to stay here and receive, so I can't look after you for long”
The two fought their way through the crowded rooot Wilbur his chocolate and his stuffed olives They sat down and talked in arecess for a -in in absurd fashi+on as he tried to ht,” said Miss Herrick, ”that you were going on the Ridgeways'
yachting party this afternoon Mrs Ridgeway said she was counting on you They are going out with the 'Petrel'”
”She didn't count above a hundred, though,” answered Wilbur ”I got your bid first, so I regretted the yachting party; and I guess I'd have regretted it anyhow,” and he grinned at her over his cup
”Nice o now, Ross”
”Wait till I eat the sugar out ofvigorously at the botto to the hoe-down to-night?”
”If you ive ive you the first, and you can ask for the last then”
”Let's put it down; I know you'll forget it” Wilbur drew a couple of cards froood for a dance is worse”