The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-01-03
In the Invent eth Century.

reached its close when the silent rev0-
tuition Initiated a hundred years before
accomplished its insidious purpose.
few far-seeing men mad even in the
nineteenth century uttered a note OF
warning as 10 the married Woman's
property act and the dangers that
might accrue from allowing ladies', both
SEjnsters and widows, owning landed
property TO viii it TO members Of their
sex
E'pon a bright spring morning a wel
equipped brougham drew NJ outside the
well known matrin1 oniai bureau OF Miss
Letitia Belts, and a lady young, hand
some and attired in an elegant half
mourning robe, alighted. and. giving her
card 20 the clerk in the outer of. ce,
I asked the young man Il Miss Bets were
disengaged.
The visitor was ushered in and accom-
mOdated with a chair.
Wen, Miss Bets she began. coming
1 to the point with the frankness that
characterized the woman Of the tweati-
/ eth century, you can guess my business.
though I suppose my name IS unknown
to you"
Pardon me, but I have heard Of you.
Lady NacGregor. remember also read
ing in the papers of the death Of your
husband six months ago"
The widow put away a tear and the
( handkerchief evoked by the memory of
( the virtues of the defunct Sir Douglas
! and assumed an air Of interest.
i think I should prefer title"
"AH ladies whose income is over So
! 900 a year can have the choice Of my
/ best men-absolutely without reserya-
ton Who are in the mems smoking
/ room? she asked the clerk
/ Lord Sevenstars. Hon. Algernon High
+ step and Mr.. Plantagenet"
Tell them to come here You are re-
/ ally fortunate" pursued Miss Belts.
Good morning. gentlemen" she said,
! acknowledging their bows, let me IN
/ troduce you TO Lady MacGregor. who
| has an income Of over. $4,000 year and
is thinking OF marrying again"
(Which is Lord Sevenstars?" inquired
Lady MacGregor.
The young lord bowling, approached
her chair, while the other two men re-
NAMED out of earshot
His appearance pleased the lady
What have you got to say for your
SELF" she said, somewhat graciously.
His lordship smiled depreciaungly. IT
have excellent testimonials from my rel
tons" he said. in his soft. high-bred
voice; my disposition Is amiabla and
unassuming. though I'm not clever like
my brothers, or I might be earning mr.
living. Unluckily. I have no business ca
paciues; they have-at least Simon has.
He" ne went on proudly, ais the head
clerk to the Misses MoxOn the convey
ancing solicitors. and earning $3.50
year Edward is head gamekeeper for
Lady Strange. Should you accept nee
as a husband I would. Of course, defer
to your wishes in every particular, and
attend to your comfort with the utmost
care"
Lady AIacGregor nodded approvin gly.
Il Ike your appearance and manner
She said, slowly; you may suit, but be-
fore deciding I should like to iuterrO-
gate those other two men"
Ooedient to her nod, the Hon. Algernon
approached, while Sevenstars drew to
one side.
There was about the newcomer an air
Of gayety and sprightliness that the
modest young Sevenstars lacked: Lady
MacGregor surveyed him rather doubt
fully
well" she said. "ten me about your
self; you are, Of course, a relation 90
Lord Highstep?"
First cousin. La6y MacGregor." re-
piled the yong man in an easy tone.
Il am well known in society. and have
the entree into the best houses To Pc
the husband Of SO charming a lady as
yourself would render me the happiest
OF mo1tals"
''IIave you followed any profession
inquired the lady coldly
mo, have not: indeed, until recently
there was no need for me 10 DO So
When I was q I came into the posses
sion Of $4,000, willed me Internationally
by my grandmother. That was nearly
six years ago. and I've run through It,
he added with nervous laugh.
What" cried Lady 8dacGregor. an
o-r-i1v stenorFfbrfff7 proHsco+af tv--
Eve thousand dollars IN five yearsi And
you dare to expect me to continue to
support you in your wicked extrava camel
7 to dream OF pisrrying such a spend I
thrift; why the ghost Of my dear
Douglas would rise from his grave were
I even to seriOusIy consider it. Go, sir
leave the room"
The abashed younug man preeipitately |
retired
The red flush Of anger was still on her !
cheeks as the third candidate advanced /
and bowed before her chair.
lady AIacGregor." he said calmly /
meeting her look IF you are DESTROYS |
Of knowing why desire to embark in I
the career OF matrimony, 7 reply be /
cause there is nothing left for me 70 1
DO Your sex has absorbed the high /
paled posts and sinecures. n1onopolized I
all lucrat tive appointments; both the land /
love ease and idleness and all the 1Uxu- 1
ries that money commands; give me /
these and I ia return viii premise TO 4
make you harry"
Miss Belts. overhearing the speech. ex- (
pected the speaker would be hidden 70 /
follow the honorable Algernon, but Lady !
AIacGregor yelled her eyes before this I
confident wooer and murmuFed:
''Will you2'
oO,, ,srt.3~, s+f~,,re tsove 2 v,,fTr- ,,,,-s 4
insist on s. a week pocket money for /
myself: also a smoking room in your I
house where I can receive my friends 4
without question and where you viii be 4
a visitor only by Invitation"
Pew husbands expect such priv
ieges." protested lazy AacGregor.
II know it, but I rely on your good !
sense TO grant these concessions
you viii Of course not visit your
tailor without first asking my I-avs2 /
always chose Douglas clothes for him,
ne ACKNOWLEDGED / had most excellent {
taste"
yes" said Mr. Plantagenet. with
some reluctance, only must select my
own ties'
Good graeloust DO you think you can
do better thaR 7 can?"
II prefer" he answered. evasivsiy 'to
rely on my own taste
Ycu are terribly t1dependent" said
the lady On hair reproach. but there was
a sub-currert Of admiration az rhe aR-
facftv 81 his demands Tho Young nan ?
before her waited her dee-sfon WITH easy
size rose and turne6 70 Mss
Belts
~ have decided on NTr PlaHtagenet"
She said. half nervousIv
Tre ma tTfuonial agent bowed accuies-
cinrIv. thourh scarce.y able p suppress
bee surprise Sevenstars ghed sealng