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

confidence the result Of any game in
which the forces on either side appear to
be pretty equally balanced. A trife
turns the scale, and very likely it was a
comparative trif1e, or two comparative
trifes, which turned it in favor of Mr..
Willatts. First, almost all of those who
intended to put in an appearance at both
houses had Glanced to decide that they
would go from Grosvenor place to Pont
street, and they found Grosvenor place
too attractive to be left in y hurry. Sec
ondly, the Duchess of Stratford was
pleased to remain for an hour and half
in the temporary abode of Mr.. Willatts,
after which she drove straight home
Notwithstanding the half promise which
she had caused to be conveyed to that
gentleman's wife. The duchess, on hear
ing what her husband wished her to do,
kicked little, but had finally yielded to
his entreaties. The duchess, however,
was strait laced old lady. 1t appeared
to her that Mr.. and Mrs. Willatts could
not both Of them be respectable, mas
much as they lived apart, and that, v
she must needs show civility to the one.
she could not choose but turn the cold
shoulder upon the other
The duchess, like everybody else, was
amazed by the splendor of Mr.. Willatts
hospitality. The hall and staircase of
the house in Grosvenor place was simply
a magnificent orchid show. The fora
decorations Of the ballroom must have
cost small fortune: the music was the
very best that money could procure: and
in view of all this ungrudging outlay
how could an appreciative guest help re-
naming to see whether the supper
would prove to be in keeping with its
surroundings? The Duchess of STRAIT.
ford staid to supper, and although neither
eating nor drinking had much fascina.
tion for her personally, she was fain to
confess that never in her experience had
anything boen better done.
Had it suited her convsnisnce to wait
for the cotillon, she must have admitted
that in this also the openhanded Amer.
can scored an undeniable success. Per.
haps it may not be the best of taste to
Offer presents of costly jeweiry to ladies
with whom one is barely acquainted:
but we live in an age not distinguished
for good taste. Mr.. Willatts retained his
guests so long that very considerable
number Of them never found their way
to Pont street at all. 1t was broad day
light when he lighted a cigar and re-
marked placidly:
"Well, if this don't make Sally gnash
her teeth and tear her hair, nothin2
will"
Poor Mrs. Willatts did not display he,
chagrin in so violent a manner; but be.
tween two and three O'clock in the morn.
ing she did sit down and cry. Her bai
had been dead failure. At no moment
had her rooms been full; the ladies who
had come had remained but short time;
worst of all, the most influential, includ-
ing the Duchess of Stratford, had point
edly absented themselves.
"Maggie, said she to Mrs. Underwood,
81 have been squarely beaten. shall
give up London and go to Paris. Sam
don't know word Of French, and be-
sides there can't be another nation on
earth so brutal and insolent as this.
tell you, Maggie, wouldn't have any
thing more to say to these English people
if they went down on their knees to me. -"
Mrs. Underwood advised half bottle
of champagne and bed.
Mrs. Willatts was convinced that, so
far as London society was concerned,
she had shot her bolt and missed her
mark. When she went down stairs in
the morning she was neither surprised
nor angered at being informed that her
husband was waiting to see her. She
had felt sure that he would come to glory
over her.
81 hope you're satisfied, anyway" was
the greeting with which she accosted
him. "You have made me ridiculous
and You have driven me out of England.
Perhaps you'll leave me in peace now"
swell, I've shown you that the Brit
ish aristocracy don't amount to much" "
said Mr.. Willatts, '.As for peace, Tn
not sure whether you'll consent to that,
though it's what Tish for. Seen the
newspapers this IT; rning? You may
have noticed an announcement of the
bankruptcy of Henry R. Kendrick, Of
New York"
Mrs VI Hats heart stood still and the
floor seemed to rise and fill before her.
"You don't tell met! she exclaimed in.
voluntarily. "Than am ruinedP
"Why, no." answered her husband,
".You are not ruined, although some