Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-07-01
CHAPTER XII.
Mrs. Dexter at lockwood.

Stately Redwood Hall had opened it's
doors to round dozen of gusts. The
hospitable squire was quite happy.
Gay, light-hearted Lady Flora, most
popular of hostesses, was simply in her
glory; and so was Mrs. Aurelia B. Dex-
ter, of New York. She had taken sec
ond and higher light. A wee kat mod
est, comfortable Green Hollow Manor
was grand, but a month at lockwood
Hall was indeed grander-with real,
live titled lady, real earl's daughter
for a hostess, and a real live baronet
too, and an Honorable Mrs. amongst
the guests!
And so the American thoroughly en-
joyed the situation. She was not trou-
bled with the remotest touch OF maui
vaise honte or sense of her own infer
iority in every respect to the well-born.
well-bred people now about her Not
she! She was far too completely wrap
ped in comfortable self-confdence and
self-suff1ciency for any such sensation.
And, as has been seen, she was, at the
outset of her London career, clever
enough to take her stand frankly and
boldly for what she was ESQ far, max
ing no absurd and palpable pretensions,
which, of course would at once be de-
tected and resented by the very society
whose patronage she needed to boom"
by. And whatever she might be-
doubtless was-in mind and nature,
she was not vulgar or coarse in person
mel or manner; not refined not good
form in the thousand unwritten can
ons in which people mot to the manner
born" always fail. But then she knew
it. accepted the fact, made even capital
of it by the frank zest with which she
accepted the patent fact that could not
be veneered. There are few better vas
to disarm criticism and expulsion when
the aspirant can pass muster at all for
what she, or he, stands to be.
Il don't pretend to be anything
was what she practically said-"but
woman, neither young nor handsome,
who is here to make a living as pro-
fessional entertainer in society. | hold
all folks free and equal myself, but as
l know you don't, well and good.
only ask you to be kindly indulgent to
what are defects in me from your point
of view, if l can otherwise please and
amuse you. You have nothing to fear
from me, as you can see, in the match
making line
Yes, she was even sharp enough,
though at what anguish 10 her femin
inc soul she best knew, to admit her
self-nay, to make capital out of the
truth-that her youth and beauty were
gone, and with her fine figure and
large pleasing powers, pose only as a
superb femme passie.
But her shrewdness and daring had
so far reaped their reward. Here she
was, was with a footing and future in
PRODUCTION secured. Gloriat, She was
elated-optimistical sure of boom
ing in the winter season. That meant
dollars, and dollars, dollars, dollars
were the acme of the snowy New York
ers aspirations. Ambition is much too
noble name to misapply to any sordid
cole n zorro N d;1a,,apt
Wishing to make sensation by her
entry, Mrs. Dexter had taken care to
arrive the last of the guests. These
had, in fact, all arrived before luncheon
and a few after it, about four o'clock.
Each party had, of course, inquired
after Wilfred's welfare, and hoped he
would show amongst them The an
swer was doubtful. He was still kept
quiet, but his appearance must depend
on the physicians orders. The subject
was thus spoken of and dropped long
before Mrs. Dexter's arrival. which was
only in time to get dressed for dinner.
and her toilet was no light matter, one
may be sure. V
She appeared II the dining room Just