The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-04-12
LADIES FROM AMERICA.
Written for This Paper by w. E. Norris.

During the interval between that
day and the 26th of the month Mrs.
Willatts saw no more of her husband;
body very soon began to talk about.
Didn't tell you that that man had
come over here on purpose to take his
her C nfidant. He would rather spend
his last cent than fail to wreck my
hall. I'm as certain of that as / am
that London isn't big enough to hold
him and me-"
Mrs. Underwood assured her that
London, and even London society, af-
fOrded space enough to accommodate
two rivals; and in this view she was
warmly backed by Lord George Curtis,
whose treachery had not transpired.
That cnterprising individual was in
hign spirits: for he saw his way TO
pocketing comfortable sum of money.
All the ladies to whom he had spoken
had been struck by the i4uancy OF the
idea that husband and wife were bid
ding against one another. Not one of
them had hesitated to accept the invi-
tation Of the former. and Lord George
felt that he had done his duty impair
TALLY to both sides.
But no human being can predict with
confidence the result of any game in
which the forces on either side appear
to be pretty equally balanced. A tritle
turns the scale, and very likely it was
a comparative trihe, or two compare
tive triAes, which turned it in favor of
Mr.. Willatts. First, almost all OF those
who intended to put in an appearance
at both hou es had CHANGED to decide
hot 4hn1r vr,o,11 ('rnrvnnnr
place to POnt street, and they found
GrOsvenOr place too attractive to be
left in hurry. Secondly, the Duchess
of Stratford was pleased to remain for
an hour and q half in the temporary
abode of Mr.. Willatts, after which she
drove straight hone, notwithstanding
the half-promise which she had caused
to be conveys ed to that gentleman's
wife. The Duchess, on hearing what
her husband wished her to do, had
kicked little, but had finally yielded
to his entreaties. The Duchess. how
ever, was a strait-laced old lady. It
appeared to her that Mr.. and Mrs.
Willatts could not both of them be re-
spectacle, inasmuch as they lived
apart, and that, if 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 were simply a magnificent orchid
show. The floral decorations of the
ball room must have cost a small for
tune; the music was the very best that
money could procure; and, in view of
all this ungrudging outlay, how could
an appreciative guest help remaining
to see whether the supper would prove
to be in keeping with its surroundings:
The Duchess of Stratford staid to
supper; and, although neither eating
her personally, she was fain to confess
that never in her existence had any
thing been better done.
Had it suited her convenience to
wait for the cotillon, she must have
admitted that in this also the open
handed American scored an undenia-
BILE success. Perhaps it may not be the
best of taste to offer presents of costly
jewelry to ladies with whom one is
barely acquainted: but We live in an
age not distinguished for good taste.
Mr.. Whats retained his guests so
long that a very considerable number
of them never found their way to Pont
street at all. 1t was broad daylight
when he lighted a cigar and remarked
placidly:
well. if this don't make Sally gnash
her teeth and tear her hair, nothing
will"
Poor Mrs. Willatts did not display her
chagrin in so violent manner; bat be-
tween , and 3 o'clock in the morning
she did sit down and cry. Her ball hal
been q failure. AT no moment had her
rooms been full; the ladies who had
come had remained but a short time;
worst of all. the most influential. in
Guiding the Duchess of Stratford, had
pointedly absented themselves.
Maggie" said she to Mrs. Under
wood, Il have been sQuarely beaten.
shall give up London and go to Paris.
Sam don't know a word Of French, and,
besides, there can't be another nation
on earth so brutal and insolent as this.
l tell you, Maggie, wouldn't have any
thing more to say to these English
people if they went down on their
knees to mo-"
Mrs. Underwood advised half q bot.
tie of champagne and bed.
Mrs. Willatts was convinced that. sc
| 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 t.
glory over her.
Il hope you're satisfied, anyway,
was the greeting with which she &C.
costed him. YOU have made me
ridiculous. and YOU have driven me Out
of England. Perhaps you'll leave me
in peace now"
We'll, I've shown you that the
British aristocracy don't amount t.
much" said Mr.. Willatts. las fol
-peace, I'm not sure whether you'll con
sent to that, though it's what wish
for. Seen the newspapers this morn
ing? You may have noticed an an
nouncement of the bankruptcy 0
Henry r. kendrick, of New York"
Mrs. Willatts heart stood still ant
TIE floor seemed to rise and fall be
fore her. You don't tell me-" she ex
claimed involuntarily. Then l an