The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-04-12
(Cs,.ftinued }

/ any ball that has Eeen given In
g.. city for the last ten years. and it's
Z. ..g, | hope, to be graced by the
3 -,ence of their Royal HighEe SIS
g. Prince and Princess of Wales and
Iii the most prominent members Of
your London society, and from what
have heard and read about you, be-
ueye you are the man to assist me.
For your assistance l am willing to
pay you much larger sum than you
have had from Mrs. Willatts and l
may add that. if you are successful,
shall consider the money we'll spent
and we'll earned. Excuse my blunt
ness: As you know, l am quite unac-
customed to civilized ways OF doing
things. Now, sir, what do you say:
Lord George hardly knew what to
say. He was in debt, and had before
this had recourse to divers expedients
for raising the wind which had been
1t least as discreditab!e as that now
suggested to him. Moreover, he was
% we'll known and so popular that he
had little doubt Of his ability to earn
Mr.. Willatts' cheque. AT the same
time, he felt some natural compunc-
ton about betraying the lady whose
cause he had hitherto espoused.
1t is ve"y short notice." he said at
length. There is an empty house in
GrOsvenOr Place, and. assuming money
to be no object, | dare say could man.
age to secure everybody for you, except
the Royalties, who are out Of the ques-
ton. But couldn't you fix a rather
later date?"
Mr.. Willatts made gesture of dis
sent. Money is no Oh, ect; he replied,
land as my wife hasn't contrived to get
the Royalties l can do without them,
though | should be glad if you could
engage some sort of a serenity for me.
But | need not point out to you that
there would be no sense in my giving
ball unless gave it on the same night
As hers.
After some further discussion Lord
George agreed to accept the part as
signed to him. He knew, if his inter-
clashing of two enter ailments does
not necessarily imply the fiascO of one
of them. Besides, he had really done
I'll that he pOssi bly, could do for Mrs.
Silatts. People who accepted the
%ifes hospitality would assuredly wish
to compare it with that of her husband;
and although the latter would probably
have t. 70, ego the patronage OF the
Duchess of StratfOrd, he would scarcely
grieve over an abstentiOn the signifi
canoe OF which he would be protected
from realizing b. his ignorance.
MIR. Willats. it may be, did not
realize the social Importance of the
duchess of StratfOrd, except in so far
Is that he conceived all duchesses to
he socially important: still she was one
of the ladies whom no hoped to see at
his ball. The Duke. who had recently
visited the United states and had pur-
chased large tracts of land in the far
West, was extremely DESTROYS of &C.
quiring a certain property which was
now in the possession of his wOuld-be
entertainer: so that the latter. in the
event of his consenting to part with
that Naboth's vineyard at price
slightly below its market value, would
be fairly entitled to request some small
recognition of his generosity. Two
days later, therefore Mr.. Willatts be-
on giving his name. he was at once
admitted. In the meantime he had
not allowed the grass to grow under
his feet. The house in Grosvenor
Place had been secured. while net q
few ladies of rank hal intimated their
intention of looking in ON the evening
of the Goth to see what the American
millionaire could do in the way of
eclipSing indigenous plutocrats. Thus
MIR. Whats was fully prepared to
transact business with the amiable-
looking parsonage into whose presence
he was shown.
How do you do. Duke of Stratford:"
said he. Il am obliged to you for &C.
cording me the favor OF special in
terview."
The Duke said, Not at all. Very
glad to SEQ you."
In the course of some subsequent re-
marks he allowed it to be inferred
that he usually left the transaction OF
business matters to his agent. but that
he had been happy to depart from his
general rule in this particular instance.
Well. observed MIR. Willatts, there
is q saving Of time in most instances
when principals meet"
In less than five minutes he had en-
planned that he was ready to deal with
his noble friend in truly liberal
spirit; and the Duke. while gladly
Gle sing with the proposal. could not
help wondering where this apparently
keen-wit.ed Americans profit was tC
come in.
Now. think you'll allow, Duke,
SHAU MT. w lildttS, tidt tulS bargain
il u pretty advantageous one, and if
ask small favor Of you conclude you
wOuldn visa 10 hurt my feelings by &
refusal
If it is in my power to do anything
for you. Mr.. Willatts," replied tn.
Duke, pray command me-"
We'll, want you to come to my bal
on the 18th, and bring the duches.
along Mr.. Willatts returned. II be
lieve you'd enjoy yourself, and Lore
George Curtis has undertaken thai
most Of your heightened people shall
be presen, at it. It's q sort Of caprice
OF mine to say that have entertained
the pick Of British society,""
Yes, yes; see," answered the duke
every natural on your part. 5,
George Curtis is managing it for you
is he: George Curtis is-however, h,
il fully competent. Twill make poin
Of awaiting myself OF your kindly hos
pitality. Mr.. Willatts. AS for tn,
duchess, hardly know what her en-
Placements are: but
II should be glad if you would go