, 1902-05-20
Unmasklng.


BY FLOYD WHITE.
Copyright. 1902. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
1t was. then. to be a marriage OF con-
venience. The Girl resented 1t from
the uttermo5t DEPTHS of her nature.
Il have been a save for all these
years." she cried, with no word of
love from parent or kindred. 1 have
been faithful and obedient. and now
that l am through. l must marry a
man whom l never saw with never &
! chance to know whether there Is any
body else whom l prefer to marry. 1t
is wrong and cruel and l hate it-yes.
l hate it, and I hate you who are con-
spring to cheat me out OF a chance to
be happy"
But, Myrtle. dear, have we not all
done all we could for you and are we
not trying to arrange 1t SO you will
make a happy marriage!" asked her
aunt in aggrieved voice.
"Oh, yes, you are all wrapped up In
my happiness" replied the girl sar-
castically. Il can see that. II l un-
derstand the situation correctly my
AothCi lSit ohipiS bhCoL5 III LIZ CNNS~
ton and maintenance-yes, and a
goodly dover on top Of 1t all. have
not questioned your stewardship of the
money and l will not unless you try
to make me miserable. Then / will
fight-so l will"
But you never have seen Mr. Mon
tague." replied her aunt, trying with
, fha tonf FIR Uhtrh che woc famous n
smooth over this threatened breach.
why make your decision until you
see him. He is as handsome as a pic
ture, Of n of the very best families.
has plenty of money, and is the son
Of your fathers dearest friend"
"All that is what makes me hate
him 80 cordially exc aimed the girl.
"You all seem not to be able to under
stand that a girl may have ideals and
desires wholly Independent of the
friendships and alliances of the gen
Grafton before" Then she continued,
passionately. You have shut me up
in a convent all my life. know moth
ing of the world, Its joys. excitements
and sorrows. And now you propose tn
order all my life to come without CIV
ing me the tiniest bit of a chance to
choose for myself"
why. child. we are acting for your
good only" answered her aunt. gently.
"Wha experience have you had that
would fit you to make a choice that
would affect all your future?"
"And why not?" asked the Girl
scornfully. you have used the au-
tnority given you in my fathers will
my life until I know nothing of the
real things of the world. And now
that l am barely out Of prison you
want to select a husband for me and
settle my life for all time. l tell you
1t Is not fair and I will not stand it
"But Tillson Montague is esteemet
the handsomest young man Of the
younger set, and is distinctly eligible
Of good habits, old family. ample for.
tune. and a great favorite in society
why. you little %ingrate," contin
ued Aunt Eleanor, with indignation
After all the thought given this mat
ter in order to find the very best mar
suitable for you-to act in that way
1t Is scandalous-" and Aunt Eleanol
sought refuge in tears.
Before anything could happen tn,
bell rang and Mr.. Tillson Montagu,
wal announced. Aunt Eleanor rallied
at once. and said hurriedly:
I Now don't, for PHYS sake, do any
thing rash that will drive him away
AT least wait until you have a chance
to become acquainted with him.
And SO presently they swept int,
the parlor to greet Mr.. Tillson Mon
tague, designed by the decree Of Myr
ties aunt and Montague's mother /,
. become the husband Of the youni
heiress.
Myrtle was silenced but not c-nvinc
. ed-far from 1t, as was demonstrate;
when, after the Introduction had beef
duly accomplished. she led him sweet