The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-11-18

manager. AS a young woman she
managed her father into business and
her mother into society. Her husband
was unable to cope with her, and be-
ing a clever man. succumbed at sight.
The fact that she had succeeded In
arranging" brilliant marriages for
her three elder daughters, who had no
beauty, brains or money to speak Of,
epitomized the social triumphs Of the
lady's career.
But Mrs. De Clymer met a totally
unexpected Waterloo with her young
est daughter-unexpected, inasmuch
as Millicent, while not exactly pretty,
perhaps, was certainly handsome and
distinguished looking. Great things
were expected of Millicent. Her moth
er actually allowed herself to contem-
plate a title; but alas for the vanity
Of human hopes and ambitions What
had promised to prove a brilliant en-
gagement turned out a disastrous de-
feat. Society readily conceded Milli-
cents charms and air OF distinction.
There was not wanting young men
who promptly proceeded to admire
and dangle. But here Mrs. De ely
mer's ideas and her daughters began
to clash, The men whom Millicent
preferred-there was, perhaps. no par
ticular one-failed, for one reason or
another, to meet her mothers require
ments; while the eligibles she hunted
down We're not in the least to her
daughters liking. That young lady
had the eccentric, strong-minded, not
to-be-coerced temperament which can
not accommodate itself to circumstan-
ces, and refuses to fit into conventions
al inches
At "a, Mrs. De Clymer began to re-
gard her handsomest daughter as
difficult proposition; at 27 as a serious
problem, and when she neared 80 her
much-enduring mother practically
abandoned hope.
Il really cannot understand" she la.
mented to her eldest daughter. I'll
thought my troubles were over when
you and Georgia and Nellie were mar
ried and settled. / congratulated my
self that as | had a really attractive.
bright child to launch in society, it
would be a pleasure instead of a task.
But my troubles were only beginning,
have had an intolerable time with
Millicent, and-the result And she
entertains such shocking ideas about
society: declares it d sham-a card.
playing, dancing, eating, gossiping.
inane sham These are her very
words"
When girl begins to have ideas.
said Laura, consolingly. you may as
well give up"
But Mrs. De Clymer did not give
up; and the course Of four years
more was strewed with her ruined
hopes
Poor Millicent was in no sense
She simply did not hap
pen to fancy any Of the men her
mother so ooligingly selected for her
She learned that the world regarded /
spinster-hood as a species of dis
grace, to be avoided at any secrifice Of
personal inclination. She was made (
to feel that she was a burden to the
family Even her fathers tone in ref
erence to herself became apologetic
that Of her sisters and friends sar-
castle or patronizing.
She made a gallant effort to 90 out
in the world and earn her own sup
port; but her mother made such a ter.
rife scene at the mere suggestion Of
a De Clymer earning her own living.
and thereby bringing disgrace on the
rest of the family. that the effort had
% be abandoned
Millicent was now relegated to the
'ear ranks, there to serve as a back
ground for her attractive young
lieces, whom her mother now under
ook to launch on the uncertain matri-
nonial sea-
The eldest granddaughter was sue
married off during her first
ieason. The second girl, Dulcie, oc-
her chaperone considerable
rouble. For one thing, she openly
ma na8rantly encouraged the adj
lresses Of a handsome but impecuni-
JUS young medical student. Her
exerted her authority;
Ter Aunt Millicent was held up to
he young girl as an awful warning.
lut without effect.
To do Millicent justice it must be
tated that she seconded her moth
RS efforts to the best Of her ability.
10 when her mother proposed that
hey should spend the summer at
Iuena Vista she readily acquiesced,
she detested summer re-
orts with a detestation born of much
experience
"An old maid of 80 is as much out
T place at a summer resort as a
lan in milliner shop" ruminated
lillicent
Il perceive now that mamma had
mother object in coming here be-
idas the laudable one Of removing
,ulcie from poor Frederick's proxim-