The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-04-24
their regiments" I remarked. "you

And I don't dare tell the duchess"
he exclaimed. "She has advanced me
all she can spare already. I don't
know where to raise another penny,
and I shall be sold up!"
I began to think of Gwen.
1.-THE worst of 1t u.s." he vert on,
"the duchess has arranged a marriage
with a pretty little heiress; the engage
ment is to be announced tomorrow,
and I shan't be able to carry the thing
through. I haven't even the money
to buy a ring!"
do you wish to marry?" I asked.
quietly. '.
NO" he said, impatiently. "She is
a nice enough girl, but it is not in my
line. What am l to do? The duchess
will simply eat me when she finds out
the true state of affairs, and If I can't
make some sort of a settlement by to-
morrow I shall have to bolt. It's a
comfortable position to be I'M" he con
cluded, dismally.
I reflected. Gwen would not marry
me, even If this precious young idiot
did "bolt," so I might just as we'll as
sist in giving her the title she coveted.
"Leycester," I said, what sum will
settle your creditors for the moment
and enable you to carry the marriage
through"
He paused for a moment.
Give thousand pounds would do it.
why?"
Because" I replied, believing that
a fool should sometimes be helped in
his folly. I shall have much pleasure
in lending you that amount"
Leycester looked at me in amaze
ment.
Temple" he cried, you're a good
uni"
We returned to the club, and I wrote
him out a check. I left him chatting
with Barton Fenwicke, a gossip, who
spent a large amount of time retailing
information he had picked up, and in
vented much which he had not.
y
The next evening I went to the Fen
wickes' dance. I had not been there
five minutes before I espied Gwen talk
AAo WALL 1AAA~O 3SAW4ChCs ! 6IAO11OO 0P
to them; a waltz was just beginning.
care you free for this?" asked
Gwen, as a man came up and claimed
Alice.
eyes," she replied. But you don't
want to dance. Come into the conser-
vatory."
I glanced at her in astonishment;
she seemed perfectly serious. I led her
to a secluded spot. and we seated our
selves.
"Mr. Temple" she said, impetuous-
ly, 'is it true that you have lent
Lord Leycester five thousand pounds?"
"How in the name Of" I began.
"Alice Fenwicke told me-" she said
quickly. "That gossiping brother of
hers, Barton, said he had met Lord
LEICESTER at a club and he told him.
Is it true?" She looked at me plead
ingly.
"Well," I said, "Leycester told me
that he had got into a hobble, and
would have to run away"
softly, $50 that l might be Lady Ley
c~ester?"
I made no reply; she turned and
laid a hand on my coat sleeve.
do you know" she said, with a
smile, that I'm very glad that I've
found it out before it's too late"
Found out what?" I asked, almost
trembling with excitement.
She hung her head, a blush spread
ing over her cheeks.
"That l value somebody's good opin-
ion more than a title" she almost
whispered.
"Gwen!" I exclaimed.
Leycester found us presently; he
seemed in a particularly happy mood.
20, Lord LEICESTER" said Gwen,
looking up at him frankly, do you
mind If I marry Mr.. Temple instead of
YOURSELF"
He burst out laughing.
mot in the least" he cried; ''and,
Temple, glorious news! My biggest
tenant has come into a fortune and
paid up ten years arrears Of rent. I'm
out of the wood! BY Jove, won't the
Duchess be mad when she hears I'm
not going to marry, after ALI"
"And Mrs. Beresford?" I murmured.
II think I can face It," said Gwen,
confidently.
And she did.-The Magnet Maya.