Show 0 J j A ROYAL CORNER how the sacred if Ii onely precinct wat invaded by an american an american attending a wedding reception in a great house in london congratulated bride and bridegroom and passed the usual compliments with the host and hostess there was a great throng of guests and ho could not linger at the entrance ent ranco of the drawing room when there acro many behind bin anxious to offer their greetings perceiving a quiet corner to tho right of the bride where a gentleman and a lady were standing apart from the other guests ho directly to it unwittingly coming to a stop between two royal personages tho american wag not aware of tho fact that he was face to face with one of the queens daughters and had turned bis back upon another member of the royal family he stood quietly looking about hoping to see some acquaintance in the company with whom he might have a chat and soon became buncom fort ably conscious that he was attracting attention and that the hostess and bride were casting uneasy glances in the direction of the comer where be had taker shelter while alo drawing room waa crowded the company of guests with one consent avoided the secluded corner where he and his two royal companions were stationed an acquaintance in tho background perceived his mistake and coming in hailing distance motioned to him ho left his two companions in exclusive occupation of the corner turning his back upon both aa ho edged his way through tho throng while everybody stared at him when he reached the spot where his acquaintance was waiting for him the stage whisper wat breathed into his ear you have been poaching on royal preserves you are a privileged character because you are an american but no englishman ventures to turn his back upon a prince or a princess people staring you out of countenance because they took it for granted that you must bo Q royal personage yet they were unable to identify you the answer might have been made that every american is a sovereign by tho divine right of equality of free citizenship iz but this would have been a meaningless pleasantry in an english drawing room where social etiquette has a sanctity superior to loyalty to democratic principle the american thanked his friend for rescuing him from aa embarrassing position and then stood by and watched the corner where royalty was isolated from too close contact with the world of wealth and fashion no guest approached the royal pair their presencio pre senco was an act of condescension to the host and hostess and thea remained on exhibition as tho patrons of this social function without having their corner invaded everybody was careful not to approach them too closely and there was a general sense of relief when they departed and the necessity for backing away from them on sido tracks was removed youths compan ion |