The Harris-Ingram Experiment | Page 3

to join their
party in making the tour over Ireland, England, and through the
Netherlands.
As Lucille left the car, Leo offered aid, taking her blue silk umbrella
with its wounded-oak handle, the whole rolled as small as a cane.
Lucille never appeared to better advantage. She was tall, slender, and
graceful. Excitement had tinged her cheeks and lips, and her whole face
had a child's smooth, pink complexion. Wavy black hair and blue eyes
revealed the Irish blood that had come from the mother's veins. She
wore a traveling suit of navy-blue serge. Her hat, of latest style, was
made of black velvet, steel ornaments, and ostrich tips. What artist
could resist admiring a woman so fair and commanding! The dark eyes
of Leo had met those of Lucille, and he at once had surrendered. In fact,
a formidable rival had now conquered Leo's heart.
Together they led the way to the front entrance of the station, while
Harris senior delayed a moment to exhibit the car "Alfonso" to his son.
"I had this private car built," said the father, "that the Harris family
might be exclusive. Napoleon once said:--'Let me be seen but three
times at the theatre, and I shall no longer excite attention.' Our car is
adapted for service on any standard gauge road, so that we can travel in
privacy throughout the United States. You notice that this observation
room is furnished in quartered English oak, and has a luxurious sofa
and arm chairs. Let us step back. Here on the right are state and family
rooms finished in mahogany; each room has a connecting toilet room,
with wash stand and bath room, hot and cold water being provided, also
mirrors, wardrobe and lockers. The parlor or dining room is eighteen

feet long and the extension table will seat twelve persons. Here also is a
well selected library and writing desk."
"But where is the kitchen?" asked Alfonso.
"Beyond," said the father. "The pantry, china closet, and kitchen are
finished in black walnut. Blankets, linen, and tableware are of best
quality. Here are berths for attendants and porter's room for baggage.
Carpets, rugs, draperies, and upholstery were especially imported to
harmonize. Nobody amounts to much in these days, Alfonso, unless he
owns a private car or a steam yacht. Henceforth this car, named in your
honor, may play an important part in the history of the Harris family."
Mrs. Harris, Leo, and Lucille, took seats in the carriage; Gertrude and
her mother were on the back seat, while Lucille and her artist friend
faced Mrs. Harris and daughter.
Jean sat upright with the coachman. Colonel Harris and Alfonso
rejoined their friends and together entered the coupé. Reuben Harris
once served on the governor's staff for seven weeks, ranking as colonel,
so now all his friends, even his family, spoke of him as "the Colonel."
It was well, as it pleased his vanity.
The coachmen's whips left their sockets, and coupé and carriage dashed
along 42nd Street and down Fifth Avenue. The ten minutes' drive
passed as a dream to some in the carriage. Mrs. Harris's mind revelled
in the intricate warfare of society. She had often been in New York, and
in the summers was seen at the most fashionable watering places with
her children. Her mind was burdened trying to discover the steps that
lead to the metropolitan and international "four hundred." She was
determined that her children should marry into well regulated families,
and that the colonel should have a national reputation. So absorbed was
she that her eyes saw not, neither did her ears hear what transpired in
the carriage. Gertrude was equally quiet; her thoughts were of dear
friends she had left in Harrisville. The occupants of the front seats had
talked in low tones of recent society events in New York, and a little of
art. Lucille herself had dabbled in color for a term or two in a
fashionable school on the Back Bay in Boston.

The colonel had become enthusiastic in his talk about his own recent
business prosperity. Suddenly coupé and carriage stopped in front of
the main entrance of the Hotel Waldorf. How fine the detail of arch and
columns! How delicate the architect's touch of iron and glass in the
porte-cochère!
The Harris family stepped quickly into the public reception-room to the
left of the main entrance adjoining the office, leaving Jean and the
porter to bring the hand-baggage. The decorated ceiling framed a
central group of brilliant incandescent lights with globes. Leo directed
attention to the paintings on the walls, and furniture and rugs.
The colonel excused himself and passed out and into the main offices.
The sight about him was an inspiring one. The architect's wand had
wrought grace and beauty in floor, ceiling, column,