The Fifth Wheel

bling. But the greatest likeness comes later. The best-sellers of one spring must be put up on the high shelves to make room for new merchandise the next. At the

oney for its exploiters. Perhaps, too, it had won a few friends. But its day of intoxicating popularity had passed. And so had mine. And so must every débutante's. By the fourth or fifth season, cards for occasional luncheons and invitations to fill in vacancies at married people's dinner parties must take the place of those feverish all-night balls, preceded by b

hool friends one winter; California, Bermuda or Europe the next; eagerly patronize winter resorts; and fill in various spaces acting as bridesmaids. When they have the chance they

I designed book plates, too, and modeled a little in clay. The more important business of establishing ourselves socially interrupted all that sort of thing, however. But I often wish I might have specia

of course. What with the traveling, clothes-one thing and another-Edith has had to help out with generous Christmas and birthday gifts. This she does lavishly. She's enormously rich herself, and very generous. My last Christmas present from her was a set of furs and a luxurious coon-skin motor coat. Perhaps I wouldn't feel quite

carried on automobiles, always ready to take their place on the road, if one of the regular wheels breaks down and needs to be sent away for repairs. These are the middle-aged, unmarried aunts and cousins-staunch, reliable-who are sent for to take care of the children while mother runs over to Europe for a holiday. And some are fifth wheels like myself-n

explain to me just what part of a wagon it was. You can't see it. It's underneath somewhere, and has to be kept well oiled. I am not very mechanical, but it sounded ignomin

d. The result of that shock was what led me to abandon my ideals on love in an atte

mmer, and cretonne hangings that I picked out myself. My sister Lucy had a room too-for she wasn't married then-and the entire attic was finished up as barracks for my brothers, the twins, who were in college at the time. They were invited to bring home a

iness. I alone was left living with Alec and Edith. I was so busy coming-out and making a social success of myself that it never occurred to me but that I was as important a member in that household as Edith herself. I wasn't far

isiting boarding-school friends, running out to California, up to Alaska, or down to Mexico with some girl friend or other, with her mother or aunt for a chaperon. Traveling is pleasant enough, but everybody likes to feel a tie pulling gently at his heartstrings when he steps up to a hotel register to write down the name of that little haven that means home. I

er I had set out to visit my oldest brother, Tom, and his wife, Elise, who live on the edge of one of the Lakes in Wisconsi

ut three days at Henrietta's, I suddenly decided I couldn't stand it any longer. My clothes all needed pressing-they had a peculiar trunky odor-even the tissue paper which I used in such abundance

ing of myself in the mirror how in the world I expected to visit Henrietta Morgan with such a drear

irror after breakfast. I discovered three white spots! I wasn't alarmed. They never mean anything serious with me, and they offered an excellent excuse for my sudden departure. It didn't come to my mind that the white spots might h

eparture wouldn't seriously upset any of the small informal affairs so far planned for my entertainment, I was acquainted with Mrs. Morgan's tenacious form of hospitality. By the

ravel if I was ill. I was to undress immediately, crawl in between the sheets, and she would call a doctor

that is the way you feel about it, very well, my dear," and sailed out of the room, hurt. Even Henrietta, though very solicitous, shared her mot

to the telephone to receive a telegram from Hilton, I wasn't p

ve you until next week. House packed with compan