The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-08-28
AN EPISODE
OF LONDON
SOCIAL LIFE
BY WARREN MILLER

Then he went to England to occupy
the family's former position. /
He said nothing there about his
wealth, but announced that lie was
Coker, with view to gaining, if the .
name would assist him, an entree to
society. Some remembered tho posi- |
ton held by his ancestors, but no one
seemed to take him up ON account Of
1t. Then lie mentioned his wealth,
but even that-0t least the mention OF
it-made no impression on society.
Finally he fell In with Sir Thomas
Spottiswoode, an impecunous baronet,
who told him that to get into society
he must spend money and spend 1t in
q way to accomplish the object he de-
sired. Sir Thomas offered to direct
his expenditures for consideration.
A bargain was struck by which Sir
Thomas was to receive $1,000 for him
self and an unlimited amount for So
ciety.
The beginning was a dinner given by
Coler, the invitations to which were
given by the barOnet. He knew those
In society who needed money and paid
literally for acceptances from the right
people. Among those invited were
Mrs. Mulholland and her two daugh-
ters, Lillian and Grace aged respec-
lively twenty-four and twenty. Coler
was by no means an unattractive man,
and Grace Mulholland took a fancy to
Nm. But in sending checks Sir Thom-
as made mistake. He sent a sep
arate check to the mother and each of
the daughters. Grace Mulholland had
| been unaware up to that time how her
mother maintained her social position
in tito face of poverty and was indig-
nant She sent her check right back
and to Mr.. Coker himself.
| Coker said nothing about the matter
to his social manager. He felt sure
that In the main the Daronet was man
aging well, and this turned out to be
the case. Coker after few months
got beyond the people he had invited
to his first dinner, though in rare in
stances he met the Mulhollands. After
a time he broke through the coolness
with which Miss Grace treated him,
having excused himself for his action
toward her on the ground that he had
desired to enter London society and
had placed the management of his en-
tree into the hands of another. In time
her prejudice was worn away. but
scarcely before the American rose to q
social position so high that he was
quite beyond the Mulhollands, and he
never met them.
Coker spent several years in London
reaching the topmost round Of the so
cial ladder; then, at thirtyfour, lie had
exhausted whatever pleasure there had
ever been in it for him. lie resolved
to return to his native land and lay
out for himself career. What that
career was has nothing TO do with this
story. Shortly before leaving he was
driving by tile house where the Null
hollands lived and saw red flag fly
Ing. Upon inquiry he learned that Mrs
Mulhollands management of her al
fairs had not been financial success
and the home given the family fol
services to the state by the first Mul
holland must go by the board.
A few days later COker sent out In
yitations to n farewell dinner. 1t wa'
a souvenir occasion--that Is, souvenir
was to be given to each guest. Ill
sent an invitation to the Mulhollands
writing one himself for Miss Grace
begging her to accept. If she declined
he would consider the declination Il
mean that she had not forgiven hin
for that which he never would nav
permitted had he been previously hon
ored by her acquaintance. She wrot
an acceptance, saying that she ha'
never blamed him and to make hin
feel comfortable about the matter
: would keep the souvenir intended TO
her as a mementO of very pleasan
acquaintance.
When the dinner came off every on
was surprised to see the Mulhollands
for they had not been able financial.
to keep up their social status, especial
, ly with the set in which Coker nov
moved, not even by the mothers ques
tionable methods. Several young VIC
men present who had endeavored T.
snare the wealthy American wondHre'
when they saw him singuarly deteI
ential to Grace Mulholland. The dir
) ner was splendid affair, and tn
souvenirs were very costly. They wer
brought in for a last course, and whe
the covers were removed many mas
nificent jewels glistened in the lights
All were handsome except that @
Grace Muholland, which was glov
box containing dozen pairs of gloves
= She smiled sincere thanks, considerin
her comparatively valucless gift
reparatlon for the check that had bee
j. sent her
r When she got home she took out tn
v gloves, and with the last pair came
n false bottom to the box, 1t having bee
!, glued to the gloves. Beneath was
folded paper of legal appearance. !
:, was deed to the Mulholland HON
made out in her name.
" Many a painter would have bee
e pleased to batch the expression o
the girls face at this mark of devc
a, fr,, -l,,N,,, I,n hOh