The Opelousas courier., 1902-10-25
Winning by Sheer Bluff

van 'tSS "2SA IL SSpIi1 Z
Of disgust, and sat erect. Then he
whistled long and softly. He and
Flora Winston we're costly e~nsconced
in a punt, hidden from vulgar curl.
osity behind a dropping screen of will
low boughs.
1t was the last day of a pleasant
Summer holiday, and tomorrow both
were returning to town. They had
passed three happy weeks in the en-
joyment of each others company.
Flora-on the eve of marrying a crab
bed old millionaire whom she detested
had been bent upon enjoying to the
full her brief remnant of liberty. To
Fred Denton, the artist, she had at
first seemed a gay and attractive COM
panion. Later he had found her fasci-
mating and irresistible.
Il ought toto have let you say
1t" faltered the girl, as she saw her
lovers ~perplexity. "But, then-I did
not know that you really loved me,
you see. l thought that we-that we
were only just amusing one another,
perhaps"
Denton did not speak for a moment.
Then he asked, savagely:
Who is the beast?"
"Mr. Quartz, the millionaire"
"But--you don't mean to tell me
that you love that animal?'
ooh, no, MOI" cried Flora, smiling
in spite Of her self. Surely you
don't think me capable of that folly,
Fred?"
well, then, it's the money" said
Denton, d~ecisively, ignoring the ques-
ton.
mo, Fred, it's not the money" Why
do you persist in thinking me so mer-
cenary??"
Wei, then, if you don't love old
Quartz, and if you don't want his
money, why the-I mean, why on
earth have you promised to marry
him?"
ooh, Fred-it was all my mothers
fault"
you mean?"
"That mother was so set upon get
ting me a rich man for a husband.
She said it would be the best possible
thing for me, because then | should
get into all the smartest circles, you
know
"Well?"
And then MFR. Quartz turned up. I
know he thought me pretty, because
he safd-he said something. 1t was
not very nice, but it meant that he
thought me pretty. Then he asked me
to marry him, and / promised"
But why?" Denton almost shouted.
You are of age; there was no earthly
reason why you should marry a man
for whom you had no love, just to
please your mother"
Cant you understand, Fred? I did
not love any n when | promised to
marry Mr.. Quartz. SO 1 thought that
he might as well have me as anybody
else. He seemed fond of me, you
know. Besides, | knew how much it
would please mother.
Yes; but 1t seems to me that mat
tiers have changed since then. You
love me-you have just said so. Why
don't you throw over that ass Quartz
and marry me?"
But have pledged my word, Fred.
You would not have me go back on
that-would you?"
But ~supposing Quartz threw you
over?" he asked.
"Oh!" cried the girl, catching her
breath; Il wish he would! But |
dare not hope for such good fortune.
Mr.. Quartz seems to have taken a real
fancy to me, and he thinks that |
should make him such a capital wife.
'Toothsome and tractable'-T heard
him say that to mother the other day.
And-and he laughed horribly"
Denton seemed less affected by this
intelligence than might have been ex-
pected. He took the girls hands in
his, and looked into her deep blue
eyes. She returned his gaze with
confidence.
Flo, you do love me, don't your
asked Denton, earnestly.
Why, of course / do, Fred. I have
told you so several times already
Then can you trust me? 1 mean
will you do what I tell your"
I trust you with my whole heart.
answered the girl. 81 don't
think | should care for you a bit.
Yes. I will do whatever
YOU wish, for | know rnat you would
not make me do anything mean or
aishonorable."
Denton snatehed a kiss.
Then think I can promise that
you will be a free woman within a
he cried. triumphantly.
a0h, Fred..' exclaimed the girl. and
her face spoke the thoughts that she
could not frame in words.
Yes, Flo pursued Denton, Il have
little plan in my head which I think
will prove effeetual. From what you
told me. / believe that old money
oags only loves you because you have
! pretty face. IL you were old and
lgly, | don't believe he'd care for you
my more thall-than he would for
hat COW in the meadow yonder..
a0hs Fred, how herridt'' cried the
'irl, with a look OF alarm.
nsnton put his arm around her
gatsf end drew her closer to him.
IT is q question Of whether he real