The Irish standard., 1900-02-17
CHAPTER Iv.-CoNr1NuED.
copyright. 1895. by j. P. Lippincot Col

asked.
practically, perhaps"
"And yet you must marry?"
'Before midnight, tonight"
"You are a lawyer?"
81 ann
'You look like an honest man."
II try to be, so far as it is compatible
with my profession"
"You surely wouldn't Intentionally
wrong woman?"
''No, madam"
"Iou are in some legal tangle that
can be settled only by your having
wife at once?"
''precisely."
"You want her for a specific purpose,
and then you have no further use for
her?'
Eyes,
"What do you propose to do with her
them"
81 supposed that such an advertise
ment would call out individuals to
whom large sum of money would be
ample compensation for the services re-
qu;red.'
"lou propose to pay her to act as
jun iSSL4 V14CS " 0ASSV SO1uC IA cAA
then TO sink into oblivion?"
II imagine that such an arrange
ment would be pleasanter than the
possession of husband without
money, to some women"
''Pleasanter than the possession of
some husbands and their weight in
diamonds to any woman"
Ethan myself, for example. Yes,
madam
'But it's not high grade of court
ship, is it?"
$40, madam"
"And you don't expect to secure a
woman worthy to be wife,"
NO, madam"
pearls before swine, yet you seem to
ignore the possibility that they will
trample them under their feet and turn
again and rcnd you.'
POSSIBLY 1 had not thought far
enough into the future"
"Surely you'd not respect the wom-
an who sold her life to the bondage of
a wife without husband, in exchange
for your gold?"
81 should hardly need to respect her."
'Would you respect yourself, moving
about as a man in the world, with
woman of whom you were ashamed liv-
ing somewhere as your legal wife,"
Stanton had reached point of des-
peration. He rose from his chair as he
replied:
madam, your line of argument is
correct. I appreciate it and agree with
it; but don't carry it on any further for
a moment, or you will shake me from
my position, when, perhaps, I had bet
ter not be shaken. Allow me briefly to
lay before you the incidents and argu-
ments which brought lie to act as did.
Possibly you may agree with me. At
least I am convinced that shall value
Dur opinion"
The story was told, and came to IN
end with sigh and the remark:
81 vowed last night that, if could
prevent it, Richard Raymond should
not have the property. The possibility
of reaching some one through such all
advertisement presented itself. sim
ply realized that, with no desire to
marry, was sacrificing nothing, and
hoped to find a woman similarly situ-
ated, to whom an abundance of money
would be blessing sufficiently appre-
ciated."
The lady's eyes had lost their sparkle,
but not their fire. Her lips had lost
their color and their smile and curves
of scorn. They were firmly pressed to-
gether, and there were strength and
character in them.
81, hord11- o1, 1<,1,i c-
per, ''you really have no right to place
such condition before woman and
ask her judgment. Ely nature she is
turned too easily to sympathy or preju-
dice TO be held responsible for her opin-
ion in such case"
''tAt least you mean that you appre-
ciate my position?"
"Yes."
"And you desire to accomplish the
end in view?"
YES"
'Surely you would not advise the risk
of lifelong misery to the woman, re-
CARELESS of myself, in an attempt to Sc
cure what you call a real wife on such
short notice?'
NO.
very we'll. That is where stood,
with the only means to accomplishing
the end the condition that be married
before mitinight.'
Then, sir She hesitated. Her
eyes were fastened on a spot in the
rug. He waited, feeling his heart beat
ing, and wondering why. A moment,
and she added: ST shall be done.''
Madam"
Don't speak to me, please she said,
lifting her Land without raising her
eyes. IL am only a woman, and there
are reasons why this touches me deep
err than wish. ! know of one who will
serve your purpose perfectly. You can
trust her. She will neither fail nor de-
ceive you; but 1 know that there is
condition she will require. Give me
your promise that you will accept it,
and I will send her to you"
What is it?" Stanton asked.
81 cannot rightly put it for her. She
will have to tell you for herself after
she has performed her part
"But suppose it were something
thab--"
Il will be responsible that you can
easily perform it, without embarrass-
ment, and that it shall in no way touch