Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-05-10

entirely. He is occupied with maxim;
his way in the world and has 10 tim,
| for hirting But he would be YER
foolish TO marry a poor girl. His fam
lily have always been in society, ant
10 keep his position he should marry ;
| fortune"
"A whatr'
"A fortune-half million at least.
How could man marry fortune,
Our men in the country marry girls"
"You innocent creature. mean
that the girl George marries should
have fortune"
oh" exclaimed Dora ia that soft
childs voice OF hers and with mild
expression OF wonder in her eyes.
I'm glad You told me about this,
auntie. Not that expect 10 marry
either OF these young men. | would
only marry some one | fell In love
with. But it's well to know how You
do these things in the city"
There are social successes that no
one can account for-young girls with.
out fortune, no great beauty, no blue
blood In their veins, who have achiev.
ed prominence In social world into
which some of their wealthy rivals
have sought admittance in vain. The
only advantage Theodore possessed
that could be so considered was her
Introduction. Then suddenly every
one was talking about that girl who
had appeared at the bachelor bali In n
costume so simple that only an arts
tic genius could have designed il. One
can conceive OF even so trifiinS a mat
ter starting career In the social
world, but 1t could not possibly main
tain such career.
Yet Immediately invitations began
to pour in on Theodore. some of which
were not accorded her aunt and cou-
sin. They would have sent her home
from sheer jealousy had 1t not been
that to have this social light as their
guest was decided advantage To
them. They were willing to put up
with an occasional slight since on the
whole they were gamers.
Edward Dickinson fell violently IN
love with Theodore, confessing his pas
sion for her. at the same time lament
Ing that he could not ask her to be his
wife-she having no dowry-because
without considerable accession to
his fortune he would be unable as n
married man to keep his position in
society Dora told him that SO great
an honor as cotilIion leader In the
world OF fashion should by no means
be given up In exchange for wife.
However. she would continue to es-
TEEN him for friend
George Herbert would have been
only too glad to give up society for
Theodore, but did not expect that one
who had tasted the SAVIOR OF social
pre-eminence would give up society
for him.
Theodore had begun her visit at the
opening OF the social season, and when
1t was nearing the end the light of her
success burned as brightly as ever.
Suitors begged for her hand. but none
OF them was accepted Fortunes
were laid at her feet, but she did not
seem to value them Then came Lord
Shingelford from London an eminent
ly respectable scion of the British
aristocracy and q member OF parlia-
ment. He saw Theodore and wilted
like wax before that understandable
something which she possessed. which
all the women coveted. but the denni-
ton Of which was Impossible. When
people noted the attention Of the
nobleman they said: Now she has
found what she has been looking for.
She would so to England and be pro-
NOTED to that higher social world,
an entrance TO which is the Mecca
of all American social women pill
grims.'
But one day Lord Shingelford sud
denly sailed away for England with
out even making leave calls on the
many families who had entertained
him. Since there was no announce
ment Of his engagement to the girl
he had so openly courted the world
stood agog.
what does she meany' "She wants
a crowned head!' shes lost her
sensesr' "She's going abroad for a
duker' These were few of the re.
marks made when II was obvious that
Theodore had declined a match that
many an English noble lady would
have accepted with alaerity.
Meanwhile Theodora's father had
been sending checks to pay for the
costumes she required. which. IL not
so simple as the first. were at least
cut in style to accord with Der Ma
donna-like beauty.
Il don't see how Sam can afford IT,"
said John Rowland as the checks KEEP
coming. His crops last season must
have turned out fine
"Or he must have struck that oil
you were talking about" put In his
wife.
Finally one morning Theodora an
nounced that her visit was ended and
she was going home.
Now. auntie." she said. Il wish to
thank you for your kindness In letting
me visit you. You've been too good
for anything. So have you. uncle. and
you. Ida. You've all been lovely TO
me. shall never forget what you've
done for me-
Every word Of this bore the stamp
of sincerity.
John" said Mrs. Rowland after
Theodore had departed, Il have On
idea that I've got at one reason for
her success"
What Is it!'
"she has the faculty of liking peo-