

E-text prepared by the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading
Team (http://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:
      (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/2/3/9/7/23973/23973-h/23973-h.htm)
      or
      (http://www.gutenberg.net/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