The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-11-09
The
American
He Entered Londen Society,
as He Had Made a
Fortune
By BEATRICE GARDINER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


Mother" said Gladys Poindexter.
daughter of Sir John and Lady Poin-
dexter. this effort to keep up Is
wearing me out The estate has SO
dwindled that we should be living on
A5OO a year and we are spending
$1,000"
But, my dear, If we retrench we
shall lose a social position that has
been the family right for 800 years"
At that moment Lord Toppington's
card came up.
Lord Toppington was typical Lon
don swell. As he entered, seeing
Gladys, he frowned. Her mother saw
his displeasure at her daughters pres
ence and made an excuse to send her
from the room. Lord Toppington seat
ed himself and said:
Lady Poindexter. come in the In
terest of a young American who has
recently arrived in London with a de-
sire to enter the social circle. He has
applied to me to secure an entrance
for him, and | have consented to do
what | can in the matter. He gives
dinner on Wednesday evening next
under my management. have put
the names of yourself, Sir John and
your daughter ON the list Of guests.
l trust you will accept"
1.-THE Poindexters have never known
any Americans" said my lady, with
reserve.
"And would not suggest your doing
SO now" replied his lordship, except
he lowered his voice-"this fellow
Springer is enormously rich"
"You mean that he will buy shares
in Sir Johns
81 have tried him on that, and he
would not bite He says he prefers to
put out the cash" Sinking to whis'
per: HE has deposited a sum to my
credit with my bankers, which am
to place where like. | have t2OO put
down against your name on the list"
Lady Poindexter's expression chang
ed. She looked down upon the carpet
meditatiyely.
"Can you assure me that this will
not be knowni"
II can"
Not for fifty times the amount
would | consent to Gladys hearing OF
1t. She has great family pride and
would scorn such a transaction"
Lord Toppington took bit of paper
from his pocketbook and, rising, Of
fered his hand to Lady Poindexter.
The paper was in his palm, and when
he left 1t was In hers. 1t was a check
for 1900.
George Springer was a very singular
young man. He had genius for
finance that few men even understand.
When he began his career ten years
before his appearance In London he
startled old financial heads by the APP
they predicted brief career for him,
the end being his burial under an enor-
nous debt. Instead he emerged with
millions to his credit Being still a
bachelor. he concluded to see the
world. not on the outside, but on the
inside. With a keen insight into hui
man nature he knew that there are
but few things in the world money will
not buy. He had gone practically to
work to gain an admission to British
society, selecting Toppington, an impe-
cunious nobleman of excellent lineage,
whatever that means, and one of the
best social engineers In London.
He advised with Toppington as to
what lady he should reserve for him
self to take into dinner, and Topping
ton told him that Gladys Poindexter
would be as well worth cultivating as
any one. Toppington also explained
that Gladys was ignorant Of the fact
that her presence had been purchased
and If she got an inkling of 1t the
Poindexters from that moment must
be counted out from their calculations
Springer was especially attentive to
this information. He had q keen ap-
probation of values and values Of DIFF
ed the difference between moral and
money values. He had no permanent
use for these people whom he had
bought and was interested In meeting
one whom he could not buy. He was a
bright fellow and good conversa-
tionalist. He devoted his exclusive
attention to Gladys Poindexter, re-
framing from being diverted from her
at any time by others. There are three
stages of refinement-viz, not enough,
suff1ciency and too much. Springer
belonged to the middle Of these three
classes. He had not become effemi-
nate. Indeed, he vas fine specimen
of physical and intellectual vigor not
yet undermined by possession Of abb
normal wealth. Such man was like
ly to be agreeable to such girl as
Gladys Poindexter.
The American succeeded in making
rs quick an introduction into London
sooio@, oc ~ RCD into ootowt1