Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-10-08
Lady Rupert, the Matchmaker.

/ ~ put her own experience to GOOD ad-
vantage, for Sir Rupert Fitzmaurice was
regarded by the matchmaking mothers of
twenty-five years ago as the best catch
in his county. Lady Rupert had, more,
over, carried on her success by marrying
her two eldest daughters well, ii not
altogether happily, and was disliked by
other women as designing matchmaker
But her youngest daughter. Alicia was
a strange puzzle. She seemed absolutely
devoid of that social ambition which was
the handspring of Lady Rupcrts matri-
monial designs.
Today she was particularly ANNOYED
with Alicia This was the end of Alicia's
second season, and her mother had spent
a great deal in dances and dinners. in
t,eator parties. and week ends for her.
And vet when She had at last succeeded
/ in bringing a really eligible young man
within her reach, Alicia persisted in snub-
bin" him.
My dear Alicia she said. as they
drove home from the park. isn't it a
little foolish to treat Lord Tcwkeshurv
a. YOU did in the park this morning!
\ OF gave him the coolest of bows.
aad--"
Il don't like Lord Tewkesbury." Ali
ella broke in. She felt tired and cross.
and Sic was not going to be driven into
marrying any one whom she did not like.
rs if that had anything to do with
il, said Lady Rupert snappishly. The
qucs ton is whether Lord Tewkesburv
likes YOU
Alicia shrugged her shoulders
He Is probably after my money" She
said.
My dear Alicia, what a silly. vulgar
thing to say" retorted Lady Rupert. now
thoroughly angry. "Of course. a man
III that rank, who is not very we'll of.
must marry money, but that does not
mean To say that he wants to marry
You Tor your money. | really don't
Eiow what will be the end of you.
Alicia. | think you are a selfish, spoiled
child / spend my whole life in TRYING
to make you happy, and you simply
thwart all my schemes, although they
are for your own good.'
Alicia had very biting retort on her
tongue, but she had an idea that ii was
not only bad form, but dangerous to
quarrel with her mother After ALL LADY
Rupert meant it for the best, and could
be a terrific bully, as Alicia knew. when
convinced of the wisdom of her schemes.
So Alicia heaved a little sigh and said
nothing. Suddenly a quick flush came
to her cheeks, and Lady Rupert, sharply
following her daughters eve. saw a
young man raise his hat and stop in in
decision. The carriage had been caught
in Il block of traffic, and he evidently
wanted to advance. But Alicia shook
her head with a slight smile. and the
next minute the figure was lost in the
crowd.
"She can be polite when she wants to
be-" thought Lady Rupert. IF | am not
mistaken, it is the brie1ess barrister.
whom | so properly warned off when he
ventured to call too often; the foolish
girl is fond of him.
But Lady Rupert said nothing aloud.
and the rest of the journey home was
made in silence. Alicia knew, however.
that her mother had noted the tell-tale
blush when she bowed to Mr. Swinton,
and that the campaign would Go+r begin
IN earnest
Alicia was not an eavesdropper. but
thr study door was a chink open. and
She could not help hearing voices as she
passed. She felt instinctively that she
was being discussed. but would probably
have passed on if the mention of her
own name had not arrested her attention.
No. Sir Rupert" said a voice which
was strangely familiar to her. Il must
have three thousand pounds year as
your daughter Alicia 5 dot. The estates
are heavily mortgaged, and it must be
so arranged that most of the money is
at my disposal"
Ahcias heart beat very fast as she
heard her mother reply, Il think three
thousand pounds is a very large sum,
Lord Tewkcsburv."
There was Il pause, in which Alicia
could hear the rustling of papers. I'll
was her fathers turn to speak. But Sir
Rupert was a weak man. under the
thumb of his wife. However. he could
be obstinate about money.
Shall we make it two thousand five
hundred pounds. Lord Tewkesbury?" said
Sir Rupert Alicia. YOU know. is not
an ordinary girl; she is exceptionally
well educated. exceptionally well edu
cated"-and her fathers voice died away
among the ristling of the papers.
Alicia clenched her hand. Did they
think she was Il mere cipher who could
be bought or sold?
Yes. / do think. Lord Tewkesbury"-
this time it was Lady RGpert's ,ci"e-
that you are very lucky man." and
then the tone was L. yered Her mother
was evidently trying to get round the
young man.
Il am very sorry" said Lord Tewkes.
bury and his voice was loud and de.
cisive. but I cannot do without three
thousand pounds. Of course. it is detest-
able to haegle in this way, and ] am
quite aware OF Ahcia's good points.
He speaks about me as if ! were a
horse" thought Alicia, ready 10 laugh
and 10 cry.l u fear that three thousand
pounds is my limit" he added. my
price, be means" said Alicia to herself
Won't YOU think it over? Heiresses,
my dear fellow. are not very common at
present" II was Sir Rupert who spoke
We'll, well. !" said Lord Tewkesbury,