Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-04

dexter, this effort to keep up is
wearing me out. The estate has so
dwindled that we should be living on
$500 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 500 years"
At that moment Lord Toppington's
card came up.
Lord Toppington was n typical Lon
don swell AS he entered, seeing
Gladys. he frowned. Her mother saw
his dispIeasure at her daughters pres
ence and made an excuse to send her
from the room. Lord Toppington seat
ed himself and said:
Lady Poindexter. 1 come IN the in
terest of a young American who has
recently arrived in London with de-
sire to enter the social circle. He has
applied to me to secure an entrance
for him. and l have consented to do
what l can in the matter. he gives
dinner on Wednesday evening next
under my management. l have put
the names of yourself, Sir John and
your daughter on the list or guests
l trust you will accept"
The Poindexters have never known
any Americans" said my lady, with
reserve.
And l would not suggest your doing
so now" replied his Iordship, except
he lowered his voice--"this fellow
Springer is enormously rich"
You mean that he will buy shares
III Sir johns
Il have tried him on that. and he
would not bite. He says he prefers to
put out the cash" Sinking TO a whis-
per: He has deposited a sum to my
credit with my bankers, which 1 am
TO place where like. / have goo put
down against your name on the list
Lady POindexter's expression chang
ed. She looked down upon the carpet
meditatively.
Can you assure me that this will
not be knownE
Il can"
Not for fifty times the amount
would I consent to Gladys hearing OF
it. 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.
Tbn paper was in his palm, and when
he left it was in hers 1t was a check
for 800.
George Springer was a very singular
Young man. He had a genius for
finance that few men even understand.
When he began his career ten years
beTore his appearance in London he
startled old financial heads by the ap-
parent recklessness of his plunges, and
they predicted brief career for him.
the end being his burial under an enor-
nous debt Instead he emerged with
miliions to his credit Being still
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
bu: 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-
cuuious nobleman of excellent lineage.
whatever that means. and one of the
best social engineers in London.
lie advised with ToppinEton 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
PoiudeXters from that moment must
be counted out from their calculations.
Springer was especially attentive TO
this Information. He had a keen ap-
probation Of values and values OF diff
ferent kinds. Moreover, he appreciat-
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
bright fellow and a good CONVERSE
tiOnulist. 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,
sufficiency and too much. Springer
belonged to the middle OF these three
classes. He had not become effemi-
nate. Indeed, he was a fine specimen
os physical and intellectual vigor not
yet undermined by possession Of alb
normal wealth Such a man was like
II % be agreeable to such a girl as
Gladys POindexter.
The American succeeded in making
as quick an introduction into London
society az he had into the coterie Of
mUltimiliOnaiTes. He was more often
me-: in the Poindexters' company than
others, and his attentions to Miss
Gladys were noticed. But one day
there came terrible break in this in
timacy. Gladys was relied upon by
her father and mother 10 guide the
family down the dangerous current
OF family finance. and many a rock
she avoided by her management. One
day when she was trying to make the
balance in her check book and pass
Dook agree she came upon an item Of
900 TO the family credit that she
could not account for. Her mothe'