Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-01-14
By ". E E0RRIa


wood, pouring out second cup of tea
for herself. more than that. it's the
sort Of ambition that every woman.
would have to oTn up to if she'were
honest. Men cal rise above the rest of
their species in hundred ways. But
should like TO know what triumphs are
open to us, excepT conquering hearts and
dressing exquisit, y aud getting the
most exclusive society to acknowledge
us. With your face you can conquer as
many hearts as you please; with your
money you can employ the best dress
makers in the world; but to persuade
these English aristocrats to come to your
house isn't SO easy, and say that sue
cess of that kind is worth taking some
trouble to win."
Pretty little Mrs. Willatts jerked up
her shoulders. IL don't know. Seems
to me there's more trouble than success
about it, anyway" she remarked. "You
and have taken trouble enough over
this ball, and it's going to be failure
after all, because that dowdy old dolly
slow do you know that. my dear1
Now, have it on the best authority that
she will come. Lord George has been
moving heaven and earth for you, and
he told me this morning that the old
lady had given in"
"You don't sayw exclaimed Mrs. Will
latts excitedly. "Well, Maggie, you're
real friend, and Lord George is worth
what Pve-he's worth more than
thought he was anyway. Why, this is
perfectly splendidp
These two transatlantic ladies were
seated in the drawing room Of the spa
eious mansion in Pont street, which the
younger of them had hired for the sea-
son, and which, as she fondly hoped,
was destined to be the scene of some
magnificent social festivities.
London did not know much about
Mrs Willatts, except that she appeared
to have plenty of money; but, on the
other hand, it was fairly well acquainted
with that lively widow, Mrs. Under
wood, and was willing enough to accept
her word for the fact that the new pro-
tege with whom she had taken her
abode this year was "all right" The
money, at all events, seemed to be all
right, and in these latter days high society
has learned 20 consider wealth as sufi-
cient passport especially if the possessor
thereof be pretty, amusing and a citizen
ess of the United States. The Duchess of
Stratford, however, was exceptional. The
duchess had remained faithful to worn
out traditions; she was exclusive. She
wanted to know who people were and
put good many inconvenient questions
before she would consent to shed the
light of her countenance upon them; and
this was why Mrs. Willatts was so eager
to extend her hospitality to one whom
she had described truthfully as dowdy
old dolly.
"Well, | presume she won't do more
than walk in and walk out again" the
expectant hostess observed rehectively,
''but If she'll do that it will answer the
purpose Once I've been recognized by
the Duchess OF Stratford, don't see
what there'll be to stop me. should
like to see Sans face when he reads
about it in the newspapers The only
trouble is that he won't know the differ
ence between the Duchess of Stratford
and other duchesses."
He don't know anything at ALL" re-
4 turned Mrs. Underwood contemporary.
"He don't even know enough to keep
from quarreling with wife who could
have shown him how to get some value
for his dolls"s as well as her own. Let
him stay home and slave at piling up
wealth, since that's his notion of enjoy
ment Luckily, you're independent of
him"
Mrs. Willatts sighed. why, it stands
to reason that am independent of him, "
said she; "it wasn't any fault Of mine
that he was too stupid and obstinate to
allow what is a fact in law. didn't
want to quarrel-I only insisted upon
my rights"
If there had not been an actual quar-
rel between Mr. and Mrs. Willatts, there
had been very good imitation of one.
The young couple had married under
circumstances of comparative poverty;
but, shortly after their wedding, the
brides father, old Senator Kendrick,
had by happy combination of luck and
astuteness acquired an immense fortune
which, on his decease, had been divided
equally between her and her brother. 1t
was on account Of the perhaps unreason-
able claim of Mr.. Willatts to have a
voice in the investigating and expending
of his wife's riches that differences had
arisen which had resulted in the de-
parture of Mrs. Willatts for Europe and
her subsequent partnership with the ex-
perienced Mrs. Underwood.
"Fd like him to be here, though" she
remarked ingeniously, $50 he might see
for himself that don't need any man to
show ne my way"
Her wish was fulfilled with dramatic
promptitude which may not have been
Z entirely welcome to her; for hardly were
Athe words out of her mouth when the
butler came in and handed her card,
inscribed in bold capitals with the name
Of Samuel T. Willatts."
Mercy exclaimed the little lady
tossing the card over to her companion;
"what is to be done nowS"
'Send him away" answered Mrs.
Underwood.
But Mrs. Willatts demurred to the
adoption Of such drastic measures. III
Samuel means seeing me, guess he'll
see me-" said she. Besides, don't
want he should think I'm afraid Of him
Only he shall not come to my ball unless
he gives me his solemn promise that he
won't wear white waistcoat or dia
Ncpd shirt stnd-n